The American Revolution

By: Eric Davis and Ethan Dhomnic

What caused the American Revolution?
The American Revolution was caused by the anger of the American colonists towards Great Britain. American

colonists were furious of how Great Britain treated them, including imposing heavy taxes (just so Great Britain’s

financial burden could be relieved), unfair acts, the housing of British soldiers in American homes, and not allowing

the colonists to be represented in Parliament. The resistance of the colonists eventually caused Great Britain to

respond with violent countermeasures in the Boston Massacre. The colonists continued to fight Great Britain’s grasp

through measures such as the Boston Tea Party. However, Great Britain just made life harder for the colonists. When

the colonists decided they wanted independence, and sent the Declaration of Independence to the King, there was no

response. The colonists realized war was inevitable. This was the cause and the start of the American Revolutionary

War.
What did Great Britain enforce that greeted frustrations
among the people?
When it comes to the people that were involved in the American Revolution, it was not just a small group of people

that were involved. This was a large number of people that looked at what Great Britain was doing which was raising

taxes such as newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, playing cards, and dice. This was due to the Stamp Act which

was passed in October 1765. This clearly caused frustration throughout society when it came to taxing these goods.

These were not the only things that were taxed upon. Other things were glass, paint, paper, and tea when it came to

the Townshend Act. The Townshend Act heavily taxed these goods. Therefore, throughout the Stamp Act and the

Townshend Act this clearly led to a pattern where people clearly were frustrated and also not necessarily seeing a

benefit for being heavily taxed on products. This allowed for the start of the American revolution.
What people were involved when it came to the American Revolution?

The Government: King George III

The people (ordinary citizens)

Printers

Founding Fathers
The People (Ordinary Colonists)
Any ordinary human being could have easily been affected by the American
Revolution at any cost. With what was the Townshend Act and also the Stamp
Act, these clearly increased taxes on glass, paint, paper, and tea which are used in
ordinary everyday lives. Any person that saw the inflation that took place while
studying the American Revolution could easily understand how the increase in
taxes could affect anyone no matter what. A lot of times people look at the
American Revolution and think ONLY the military and ONLY the government and
the founding fathers were impacted. When in actuality, is so many more people
that were greatly affected due to the increases of taxes with inflation. Many
would also boycott British goods which often impacted British businesses within
society.
The Government: King George III
Even though a revolution can impact anyone on a day to day basis, many forget to
consider that it also impact the government. As often times in revolutions, the
purpose of the revolution is to overthrow the government. King George III tried to
restrict the rights of those who were using their free will to try to gain freedom
and liberty during the American Revolution. Feeling as though they have been
restricted by the fact that he disagreed with the Declaration of Rights
(Declaration of Independence) as not agreeing with the fact that patriots and
those who would stand up for their core beliefs had the right to protest. Also, of
course, by orchestrating the American Revolution that took place between the Red
Coats (Patriots) and Blue Coats (Loyalists.)
 Printers
This may often be seen as one that people would not often look as important and
crucial when it comes to the American Revolution even though it clearly is.
Printers were known as newspaper publishers. When it came to newspaper
publishers, many would use propaganda to cause rebellion within society which
would lead to the American Revolution. “Newspapers were absolutely pivotal in
making America. As the only mass media at the time, they fanned the flames of
rebellion, sustained loyalty to the cause and ultimately aided in the outcome.”
Therefore, clearly using newspapers to spread propaganda that started the
American Revolution. Therefore, being a large precursor to the American
Revolution.
Founding Fathers
● George Washington

● Thomas Jefferson

● John Adams

● Benjamin Franklin

● Alexander Hamilton

● John Jay

● James Madison

What the Founding Fathers did

What the Founding Fathers did
Overall, many of the Founding Fathers had significantly important roles when it came to the American Revolution.

George Washington was a strong military leader when it came to the American Revolution. Whilst even though he was given low amounts of funding versus the British, his strong impeccable

military leadership skills allowed him to be one of the strongest leaders and therefore allowing the Patriots to win the American Revolution.

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence as he was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and wrote about all of the hardships that the colonists have faced

under the leadership of King George III.

John Adams helped draft the Treaty of Paris which was written in 1783 to end American Revolutionary War. Giving leadership to George Washington which allowed for King George III to

no longer be in control of many colonists. As the land would be divided up into what was then called America. Therefore, he would not have lost control of his power. However, allowing for a

more libertarian government to start with freedom when it came to George Washington as the first president of the United States.
Why is the Revolution important to know about?
This revolution is important to know about because it gallantly portrays the fight
of one people, the American colonists, against the tyranny and oppression of Great
Britain. This revolution also focuses on the ideals that the colonists dreamt of -
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This revolution is significant because it
is the origin story of the United States of America, one of the most developed and
advanced countries in the world today. The American Revolution will forever be
recognized in American history, as its themes of justice and democracy are still
implemented today and will continue to be fought for in the future.
What was the desired outcome and the real outcome?

The desired outcome was very similar to what the real outcome was, however, the functionality was not at all what

the patriots expected. The entire goal of the American Revolution was not to tax people and also allowing for freedom

and rights among the people. However, whilst this seemed good in theory it was poor in practice. Once America

become a real place there was an introduction to what was called the “Articles of Confederation. The Articles of

Confederation were a poor choice due to the issues with the economy. With not taxing anyone there were no real

primary ways for the US to receive any funding. Especially since the United States was in grave debt as they were

obviously in a war. Therefore, even though the US had liberty and freedom it was used in a system that would not

work in the long term as by now taxing anyone.

 What significant events occurred?
● April 19, 1775: The Battles of Lexington and Concord

● July 4, 1776: The Declaration of Independence

● December 26, 1776: The Battle of Trenton

● September 19 & October 7, 1777: The Battles of Saratoga

● September 28 - October 19, 1781: The Siege of Yorktown

● September 3, 1783: The Treaty of Paris

April 19, 1775: The Battles of Lexington and Concord

These battles are known for being the first military engagements of the

Revolutionary War. They are also famous for “the shot heard around the world”, which

symbolizes the start of the fighting. These battles were successes for the American

colonists, as the British suffered 273 casualties to America’s 95 casualties. The British

were also forced to retreat in these battles.

July 4, 1776: The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was completed on July 4, 1776, and became ready to send to the King. This famous

document detailed why the colonists were at war with Great Britain, and why they wanted freedom and more rights.

Click here to see the actual words of the Declaration of Independence.

 December 26, 1776: The Battle of
Trenton
This battle was fought in Trenton, New Jersey, and is regarded as a huge win for the Continental Army.

The Continental Army, under George Washington’s leadership, crossed the Delaware River in order to

ambush enemy troops. The Continental Army swiftly defeated the enemy troops, captured 900 soldiers

along with arms, equipment, and provisions, while encountering very few American casualties. This battle

was a pivotal battle in the war that reinforced American morale.

September 19 & October 7, 1777: The Battles of Saratoga
In the first Battle of Saratoga, also known as the Battle of Freeman’s Farm, was a minor British victory. British

losses were high, and American losses halved them. In the second battle of Saratoga, also known as the Battle of

Bemis Heights, the American army found victory over the British forces. British General John Burgoyne was

forced to surrender to the Continental Army. He surrendered his entire army of 5,800 men. This victory caused

France to form an alliance with the colonies in 1778. The Battles of Saratoga are considered as the turning point

of the war.
September 28 - October 19, 1781: The Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown took place in Yorktown, Virginia. It was a secret ambush on the British by

French and American forces. Washington had sent out fake dispatches to Henry Clinton, the British

commander-in-chief, that the French and American armies were going to attack New York. This

caused a false sense of security for the British forces. On September 28, Washington led the siege

against 9,000 British troops at Yorktown. After 20 days of the siege, Lord Cornwallis of the British

army surrendered his force of more than 7,000 men. This battle was the last major battle of the

Revolutionary War, and it forced the British to try to end the war.
September 3, 1783: The Treaty of Paris
Six months after the Siege of Yorktown, peace negotiations between the Americans and British

started in Paris. A set of treaties known as the Peace of Paris brought an end to the Revolutionary War.

The most important treaty was the Treaty of Paris, in which the British recognized the United States of

America as a free, independent nation. This treaty gave America generous amount of land, set boundaries,

and also gave France the British territories of Tobago and Senegal.
Sources

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum “American Revolution” https://www.bostonteapartyship.com/american-revolution.

Accessed April 10 2022.

Khan Academy. “Challenges of the Articles of Confederation.”

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-us-history/period-3/articles-of-confederation-ush-lesson/a/challenges-of-th
e-articles-of-confederation-article#:~:text=The%20Articles%20established%20a%20weak,tax%20laws%20or%20regulat
e%20commerce. Accessed April 10 2022.

OER Project. “4.2 Revolutions Around the Grade.”

https://www.oerproject.com/1200-to-the-Present/Unit-4/Revolutions-Around-the-World. Accessed April 10 2022.

OER Project. “4.1 Origins of Revolution.”

https://www.oerproject.com/1200-to-the-Present/Unit-4/Origins-of-Revolution. Accessed April 10 2022.

OER Project. “6.0 Unit 6 Overview.” https://www.oerproject.com/1750-to-Present/World-War-I/Unit-6-Overview.

Accessed April 10 2022.