American Revolution

In the 1760s, Benjamin Rush, a native of Philadelphia, recounted a visit to Parliament. Upon seeing the king’s throne in the House of Lords, Rush said he “felt as if he walked on sacred ground” with “emotions that I cannot describe.” Throughout the eighteenth century, colonists had developed significant emotional ties with both the British monarchy and the British constitution.–American Yawp, chapter 5

Image Gateway:  Boston Massacre (1770)

Paul Revere’s print depicting the Boston Massacre (1770)

Discussion Question

• What was the main ideology or belief system which led to the American Revolution?  (Consider how to weigh factors such as Lockean liberalism, republicanism or American nationalism)

The Colonial Crisis:  A Timeline of Documents

• • 1763  Royal Proclamation
  • 1764  Sugar Act // Currency Act
  • 1765  Stamp Act // Sons of Liberty
  • 1765  Thomas Whately’s defense of Stamp Act // Daniel Dulany’s response
  • 1766  Benjamin Franklin’s testimony before the House of Commons
  • 1766  Repeal of Stamp Act // Declaratory Act
  • 1767  Townshend Duties // John Dickinson’s Letters
  • 1769  William Knox’s defense of Parliamentary sovereignty
  • 1770  Boston Massacre // Repeal of Townshend Duties (except tea)
  • 1773  Relief for East India Company // Boston Tea Party
  • 1774  Coercive or Intolerable Acts // First Continental Congress (Association)
  • 1774  Thomas Jefferson’s “Summary View” pamphlet
  • 1775 Lexington & Concord // Second Continental Congress
  • 1776 Thomas Paine’s Common Sense // State constitutions
  • 1776 Abigail Adams:  Remember the Ladies
  • 1776 Declaration of Independence

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Image Gateway:  Washington Crossing the Delaware (1776)

Discussion Question

• What was the key to Washington’s successful military strategy during the Revolutionary War? (Consider how to weigh factors such as strategic patience, diplomatic alliances or the American landscape)

Timeline:  Revolutionary War 

• 1775 Lexington & Concord // Second Continental Congress
• 1776 Paine’s Common Sense // State constitutions
• 1776 Declaration of Independence
• 1776  Washington Crossing Delaware
• 1777  Battle of Saratoga
• 1777-8  Valley Forge
• 1778  French Alliance
• 1780  Battle of Charleston
• 1781  Battle of Yorktown
• 1783  Treaty of Paris

Maps