American Revolution Insights

A powerful trading company that held a monopoly over British possessions in India. It also played a key role in the tea trade with North America.

A situation where the price of a stock or asset rises rapidly above its actual value, driven by speculation and excitement, making it vulnerable to a sudden crash.

The dumping of 300 chests of tea into Boston Harbor by colonists disguised as Native Americans in protest against British taxation policies. This event sparked further tension between Britain and the colonies.

A series of laws enacted by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party, intended to punish the colonists for their actions. These laws were widely seen as oppressive and added to the growing tensions between Britain and the American colonies.

A series of oppressive laws enacted by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party, intended to punish the colonists for their actions. These laws were widely seen as oppressive and added to the growing tensions between Britain and the American colonies.

An act of Parliament that expanded the territory of Quebec, granted legal tolerance to the Catholic Church, and was seen as a threat by the colonists because it seemed to give preferential treatment to French Canadians.

A powerful British minister who played a key role in enacting the Intolerable Acts in response to the Boston Tea Party, further escalating tensions between Britain and the colonies.

The colonists’ belief that they should not be taxed by the British Parliament without representation, leading to resistance against British policies, particularly the Tea Act.

The Battles of Lexington and Concord, which marked the start of the American Revolution, are often called "the shot heard round the world"

George Washington’s appointment as commander reflected the unity of the colonies and reinforced their commitment to the cause of independence.

The Continental Army was a newly formed military force created by the Second Continental Congress to fight against British rule.

The Continental Congress authorized the printing of paper money to finance the Continental Army, which had a significant impact on the colonial economy.

Dunmore's proclamation offered slaves freedom if they escaped to British lines and fought for the King, leading to increased resentment against the British by colonists.

Many colonists were conflicted about achieving independence, with strong ties to Britain and fears of internal strife.

Joseph Galloway opposed independence, warning of potential internal conflicts and a civil war between the northern and southern colonies.

The declaration of independence was a turning point where many colonists became unified in their desire to break free from British rule.

Small farmers, city artisans, laborers, and other men with little political power gained experience in government by discussing and exercising political power in committees.

The colonists in 1775 were obsessed with the idea of liberty, seeing it as a divine right and essential for happiness and freedom.

The concept of liberty, broadly defined as freedom from oppression and arbitrary rule, played a crucial role in the colonial rebellion against Britain.

The First Continental Congress defended its actions by appealing to established legal principles and highlighting the rights of Englishmen.

John Locke's theory of natural rights, stating that people have inherent rights to life, liberty, and property, offered a strong justification for colonial resistance.

Thomas Jefferson, in his Summary View of the Rights of British America, argued that government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed.

Jefferson declared that individuals have the right to alter or abolish governments that infringe upon their natural rights, establishing the philosophical basis for the right to revolution.

The Second Continental Congress convened in May 1775 after the outbreak of war between British soldiers and American colonists in Massachusetts.

Thomas Paine's influential pamphlet advocating for American independence from British rule, arguing that democracy is superior to monarchy.

A key figure advocating for an independent America, Thomas Paine argued that the country had limited prospects within the British Empire.

Samuel Seabury, an Anglican minister, opposed the revolutionary movement, believing that the colonies were on a dangerous path towards tyranny.

Seabury criticized the colonies' actions as 'unnatural' and 'unfortunate' and believed they were falling under the control of a tyrannical force.

The document that declared the United States an independent nation, written by Thomas Jefferson and approved by the Continental Congress.

Thomas Jefferson, known for his contributions to the Declaration of Independence and his role as the 3rd President of the United States.

The Continental Congress was a revolutionary body that declared American independence and established a new government.

The Continental Congress, composed of representatives from the colonies, took on the task of governing the new nation after the Declaration of Independence.

British forces sought to exploit social tensions in the South by gaining support from loyal colonists and encouraging slaves to escape.

A decisive American victory that cemented American independence, where Washington and French allies surrounded Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781.

The treaty signed in 1783 that recognized American independence, granted the United States land east of the Mississippi River, and established fishing rights off Canada.

The consequences of the Revolution for Native Americans, which included further loss of land and disruption of their cultures.

The Continental Congress, a representative body of the American colonies, declared independence from Great Britain in 1776.

The American victory at Cowpens in 1781, where Daniel Morgan defeated Tarleton's British forces, significantly weakened British control in the South.

American General Nathanael Greene's strategy of strategic retreats, inflicting heavy losses on Cornwallis while avoiding decisive battles, which eventually led to British defeat.

The British defeat at Guilford Courthouse in 1781, a bloody battle that inflicted significant losses on Cornwallis but did not result in a clear American victory.

The first shots fired in the American Revolutionary War, marking the beginning of the conflict between the colonies and Great Britain.

A major battle in the early stages of the Revolutionary War, fought near Boston, where the colonists showed their determination to fight despite their lack of experience.

The army authorized by the Continental Congress to fight the British during the Revolutionary War, led by General George Washington.

A proclamation issued by the British Governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, offering freedom to slaves who joined the British forces during the Revolutionary War.

Thomas Paine's influential pamphlet argued for republican government, challenging the legitimacy of British rule over the colonies and advocating for independence.

A major victory for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, where General John Burgoyne and his British forces surrendered, marking a turning point in the war.

A Mohawk leader who sided with the British during the Revolutionary War, leading his people in resistance against the American colonists.