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The Stamp Act
This event is asymmetrical because The colonists were expected to pay taxes set by British Parliment. Instead of following these expectations, the Colonists reacted with anger and outrage and refused to pay the tax. The tax itself was not very expensive, but the colonists were outraged by the fact that there could be more taxes to come. They viewed taxes as a way to provide common wealth for all people, not to raise money. https://www.history.org/history/teaching/tchcrsta.cfm -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was asymmetrical because the attack of the British may have been provoked, but the colonists were outnumbered and unarmed. The Colonists, upset with the British troops stationed in Boston, threw snowballs at a group of the soldiers. In response to the snowballs, the British opened fire onto the colonists, killing five people. This event was spread throughout the colonies, which lessened their popularity even more. http://www.ushistory.org/DECLARATION/related/massacre.html -
The Tea Tax
This act is asymmetrical because the colonists were expected to follow the rules set by the British. The colonists were very angered by the tea tax and refused to stand for it. On December 16th, 1773, the Sons of Liberty disguised themselves as Indians, and boarded three ships containing over 92,000 pounds of tea. One by one, This group dumped every last crate of tea into the Boston Harbor. http://www.bostonteapartyship.com/the-tea-act -
The Battle of Lexington/Concord
This event was asymmetrical because the British were not prepared for a battle. The British troops were supposed to be sent to Concord to collect supplies and arms from the Continental army. On the way there, they ran into American troops on Lexington Green, who were notified of the British traveling to Concord. The two sides were standing intensely, when the first shot of the war rang out. https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/road-revolution/resources/battles-lexington-and-concord-1775 -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill was symmetrical because both did damage to the other. The British forced the Americans to retreat after they became low on ammunition and had to resort to hand-to-hand combat, and the Americans inflicted more than 1,000 casualties on the British. The Americans had lost a battle, but greatly affected the British troops. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-bunker-hill -
Common Sense
On February 14th 1776, Thomas Paine published one of the most politically scandalous documents of the American Revolution. It was asymmetrical because until this point, the colonists had no intention on leaving the British. The Book sparked new, revolutionary ideas in the minds of the colonists. because it so openly challenged British authority, the British found it unacceptable. http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/ -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was written on July 4th, 1776 by Thomas Jefferson. This document was made to declare The United States a nation independent from England. A combination of taxes, the proclamation of 1763, and a long and brutal war are what pushed the states to declare independence from the King. This was asymmetrical because people in the colonies were expected to stay loyal to the king and respect laws set by him.http://www.ushistory.org/Declaration/timeline.html -
The Continental Army wintering at Valley Forge
The Continental Army wintering at Valley Forge was symmetrical. Both armies took time off fighting during the winter. Generals and officers of both sides knew that fighting in winter was not ideal. The Americans faced extreme cold, hunger and thirst, illness, and death of animals. The British wintered in New York and faced conditions that were much more lavish than the Americans. The Americans wintering at Valley Forge is symmetrical. http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/valleyforge.htm -
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Battle of Trenton/ Princeton
Patriot action in these two battles are what led to control of New Jersey by the continental army. It also gave the patriots hope and a sense of stability in the military. This event was asymmetrical because General George Washington was using war tactics that outsmarted the British troops and led to American victory in both instances. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-trenton-and-princeton -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was symmetrical because both sides were fighting. The British captured Fort Ticonderoga, and traveled South to the Hudson river, which was long and painful. Continental Brigades waited in the Hudson Heights for the oncoming British army. Both sides began to fight in an astonishing on September 19th. The British attempted another attack on October 7th, but they were forced to retreat and surrender. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-saratoga -
War in the South/ Charleston
The war in the south was asymmetrical because it was the turning point in the war for the Continental Army. After the Battle of Saratoga, the French began to aid the American Army, which allowed them to outnumber the British and execute more intense operations being that they had more funding and more people. Without the War in the South and its outcome, it would have been less likely for independence to be won. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-trenton-and-princeton -
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Battle of Yorktown
In the Battle of Yorktown, British forces captured Yorktown and Gloucester, two towns on either side of the York River. American Troops formed a semi- circle around the entrenchments at the British positions, putting them under siege. The Americans began to operate formal siege plans to capture Eastern Yorktown, before recapturing the whole city. This event is symmetrical because both side were either trying to gain territory or maintain it. http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-yorktown.htm
