-
The Ride of Paul Revere
In "Account of Midnight Ride to Lexington", Paul Revere says, "We set off for Concord, and were overtaken by a young gentleman named Prescot, who belonged to Concord, and was going home...In an instant I saw four of them, who rode up to me with their pistols in their bands, said ''G---d d---n you, stop. If you go an inch further, you are a dead man.''("Lexington and Concord"). This shows the British soldiers in Lexington and Concord and their unhappy attitude towards the colonists. -
The Shot Heard 'Round the World
The beginning of the revolutionary war was the shot heard 'round world. It took place in Lexington, Massachusetts where a fleet of about 700 British soldiers moved towards Lexingotn. Soon after, minutemen appeared since they were "ready to fight in a minute's time", and this lead to the first round fired in the revolutionary war. -
George Washington Named Commander in Chief
George Washington had a massive impact on the war, not only strategically but inspirationally. He was a man that the colonists were glad to fight for, not to mention he was extremely cunning having created a spy network which would eventually lead to the leaked information of the British strategy and eventual surrender of Britain. He was a major part of the revolutionary war, and gave hope to many colonists in the face of adversity. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
The "Bunker Hill" was a bunker in a hill overlooking Boston. This was advantageous for the colonists because it allowed for close overwatch and attacks on the British fleet in the Boston Harbor. A colonist, Peter Brown, recalls, "[W]e march'd down, on to Charleston Hill...where we entrench'd & made a Fort ... when we saw our danger, being against Ships of the Line"("Bunker Hill"). The British attacked in 3 waves and eventually took Buker Hill, a major loss for the colonists. -
Paine Publishes "Common Sense"
Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. Thomas Paine used plain English to speak to common Americans and was the first document to call for independence from Britain ("Common Sense"). -
Jaeger Rifles Used in the Taking of Fort Washington
Jaeger rifles were German rifles that were used to increase the accuracy of the marksman shooting the gun. This was thanks to a curved-bored barrel which spun the shot as it was fired, which was quite different from the guns of the time. These were used during the taking of Fort Washington, but proved somewhat ineffective from another perspective because one account recalls, "the rifles of the Americans became fouled by the frequent and long continued dis- charges"("The Riflemen"). -
Paoli Massacre
Col. Thomas Hartley, 1st PA Regiment, said, "The Enemy last Night at twelve o'clock attacked ... Our Men just raised from Sleep, moved disorderly — Confusion followed ... The Carnage was very great ... this is a bloody Month."("Paoli Battlefield). This shows the extreme brutality of the British soldiers at one of the domestic events that shaped and fueled the rebellion against Britain. -
British Occupation of Philadelphia
British General Howe, on his way to Phildelphia, said, "...and I must be allowed to insist there was no delay in the approach to Philadelphia by Valley Forge, the Schuylkill, by the nearer route through Derby, being impassible..."("The British"). There is a common theme here between many occupations. The similarity is that most occupations are within large cities like Philadelphia, New York, and Savannah. -
Signing of the French Alliance Pt. 1
In the Treaty of Alliance, it reads "If War should break out betwan france and Great Britain, during the continuance of the present War betwan the United States and England, his Majesty and the said united States, shall make it a common cause, and aid each other mutually with their good Offices, their Counsels, and their forces, according to the exigence of Conjunctures as becomes good & faithful Allies."("The Avalon"). This shows a major difference in concepts and idealogy. -
Signing of the French Aliance Pt. 2
Beforehand, the colonists and the French were fighting each other in the French and Indian war. So this makes it seem a bit odd that they are so open to teaming up. This is a major difference in ideology and is mostly attributed to the fact that the colonists needed an ally with power to help fight the British. This was a win-win for both sides, since both didn't like Britain much, and this was a major similarity in concepts as well. This showed them working together to accomplish a shared goal. -
Redcoats Occupy Savannah
Anywhere from 2500 to 3600 British forces (including mercenaries and loyalists) surprise-attacked Savannah, Georgia. -
Articles of Confederation Adopted
In Article III it reads, "The said states hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defence, the security of their Liberties"("Articles"). This shows that the states (groups from around the country) are coming together to form a singular United States. It also speaks to protecting the security of the liberties of the states and the people, which is similar to enlightenment thinkers like John Locke. -
Treaty of Paris Signed
The Treaty of Paris signified that Britain acknowledged and set borders for the indepent country of the United States of America. It was signed by representatives of the United States, Great Britain, Spain and France. This formally ended the Revolutionary War. -
The Constitution is Signed Pt. 1
The U.S. Constitution is signed. It is similar to the earlier writings of Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke (especially with his release of "Common Sense"). The Constitution borrows greatly fom "Common Sense" and John Locke as it protects life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness while the ideals of John Locke protected life, liberty, and property. These are very similar and thus, are a major similarity in ideas and concepts while also being a slight difference in wording. -
The Constitution is Signed Pt. 2
A major difference between the Consitution and the Articles of Confederation is that the Constitution proposes a bicameral congress while the Articles of Confederation. This was to settle earlier debates about how representation should work and is a difference that should be duely noted.
