American Revolution Review

A group of colonists who used violence to intimidate tax collectors and opposed British laws, particularly the Stamp Act.

A tax law requiring colonists to pay a tax on paper items, like legal documents and newspapers.

This group of colonial representatives from different towns and colonies worked together to spread information and coordinate resistance to new British laws. They used letters to communicate and organize.

This act declared that Parliament had the right to make laws for the colonies, even if the colonists did not have representation in Parliament.

These acts imposed taxes on goods like lead, paper, paints, glass, and tea. They also gave British officials the power to search for smuggled goods, taking away power from colonial governments.

This event, which took place on March 5th, 1770, involved a British soldier killing five colonists and injuring others. The incident escalated from a minor argument and ignited more tension between colonists and the British.

This act was designed to help the British East India Company sell tea directly to colonists, bypassing colonial merchants. Though intended to help the company, it infuriated colonists who saw it as a way to force them to pay taxes.

Also known as the Coercive Acts, these harsh laws were passed in response to the Boston Tea Party. They closed Boston Harbor, changed Massachusetts's government, and allowed British officials to be tried in Britain.

The First Continental Congress, held in Philadelphia, was a meeting of colonial delegates who came together to discuss their response to the Intolerable Acts. They agreed to continue boycotting British goods and to prepare for war, but also asked King George to protect their rights.

These colonial militia units were ready to fight at a moment's notice. They were crucial in the early stages of the American Revolution.

A battle fought in 1775 where British soldiers failed to find large amounts of supplies and suffered heavy casualties on their way back to Boston.

The American army formed by the Second Continental Congress in 1775, led by George Washington.

The second gathering of colonial delegates that declared independence from Great Britain.

The commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, who played a key role in winning American independence.

A battle fought in 1775 where the American colonists successfully defended Bunker Hill against a larger British force.

The primary author of the Declaration of Independence, which declared America's separation from Great Britain.

The document that declared America's independence from Great Britain and provided a list of reasons for separation.

American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution.

A surprise attack orchestrated by George Washington on Christmas night 1776, where the American forces defeated German mercenaries.

A significant battle in 1777 where the American forces, led by General Horatio Gates, decisively defeated British forces under General Burgoyne.

A Prussian military officer who helped train and organize the Continental Army, improving their fighting abilities.

A French nobleman who volunteered to serve in the Continental Army without pay, bringing with him trained French soldiers.

An American naval commander who raided English coastal towns and captured the British warship Serapis.

A brutal winter encampment in 1777-1778 at Valley Forge, where the Continental Army faced severe hardship due to lack of supplies.

An American guerilla warfare leader known as "The Swamp Fox", who harassed British supply lines and communications.

The decisive battle in 1781 where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington's forces, marking a major turning point in the American Revolution.

The largest surrender of British soldiers in American history in the Revolutionary War.

This required colonists to pay tax for an item when they bought paper items. This tax had to be paid on items such as legal documents and newspapers.

These acts placed duties on lead, paper, paints, glass, and tea. British officials used writs of assistance, which allowed tax collectors to search for smuggled goods. It took power away from the colonial governments.

This event involved a British soldier killing five colonists and injuring others. The incident escalated from a minor argument and ignited more tension between colonists and the British.

This act allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonists, bypassing colonial merchants. This was intended to help the company but angered colonists who saw it as a way to force them to pay taxes.

On the night of December 16, 1773, colonists disguised as Indians and sneaked onto the three tea-filled ships and dumped over 342 tea chests into Boston Harbor.

These harsh laws were passed in response to the Boston Tea Party. They closed Boston Harbor, changed Massachusetts's government, and allowed British officials to be tried in Britain.

This act required colonists to house British soldiers.