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The conflict was over control of territorial claims between Britain and France, with various Native American alliances

Early in the war, a young George Washington led colonial militia in a skirmish at Fort Necessity and was defeated

The war’s cost increased Britain’s debt heavily, pushing Parliament to tax the colonies to help cover war expenses

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As king during the period leading up to and during the Revolution, he approved or oversaw many of the policies that angered colonists

Colonists often blamed the king personally for tyranny making him a symbol in grievances and pamphlets

is reign saw the escalation from colonial protests to full rebellion

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Issued by the British Crown after the French and Indian War, it declared that colonists could not settle west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Its purpose was to reduce conflict with Native Americans and manage western expansion.

Many colonists viewed it as limiting their rights and opportunities

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Enacted in 1764, it placed taxes on sugar, molasses, and other goods imported into the colonies

It was intended to raise revenue for Britain and pay for colonial administration

It also increased enforcement and crackdowns on smuggling

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Passed in 1765 by Parliament, it required that many printed materials carry a British stamp tax

The act sparked widespread protest, including boycotts and formation of groups like the Sons of Liberty

Due to colonial backlash, the Stamp Act was repealed in 1766

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British soldiers fired into a crowd injuring 3 and killing two

Used as propaganda by Patriots

Deepened colonial resentment toward British occupation

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Allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to colonies

Actually made tea cheaper, but colonists saw it as a trick to accept taxes

Led directly to the Boston Tea Party

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Colonists dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor

Protested the Tea Act and British taxation

Prompted the British to pass the Coercive Acts

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1st Continental Congress (September 1774)

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1st Continental Congress (September 1774)

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12 colonies met to respond to the Intolerable Acts

Agreed to boycott British goods and form colonial militias

Began unifying the colonies politically

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1st Continental Congress (September 1774)

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Rode to warn colonial militias that British troops were marching to Concord

Helped ensure the militias were ready at Lexington and Concord

Was a key member of the Sons of Liberty and a patriot propagandist

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First battles of the Revolutionary War

Shot heard round the world began open conflict

Colonial militias forced British troops to retreat to Boston

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Met after Lexington and Concord to manage the war

Created the Continental Army and named Washington its commander

Eventually adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776

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General George Washington (june 15 1775)

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General George Washington (june 15 1775)

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Named Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in 1775

Led American forces through key battles like Trenton, Valley Forge, and Yorktown

Symbol of unity and perseverance during the war

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General George Washington (june 15 1775)

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Wrote Common Sense (1776), urging independence from Britain

Argued that monarchy was unnatural and corrupt

His writing inspired many undecided colonists to support independence

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Delegate to both Continental Congresses, strong voice for independence

Helped write the Declaration and later negotiated the Treaty of Paris

Served as a diplomat in France and the Netherlands during the war

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President of the Second Continental Congress during Declaration signing

First and largest signature on the Declaration of Independence

Funded and supported patriot resistance in Massachusetts

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Primary author of the Declaration of Independence

Promoted Enlightenment ideas of liberty, rights, and self-government

His document explained why the colonies were breaking away

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Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776)

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Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776)

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Announced the colonies’ official break from British rule

Listed grievances against King George III and Parliament

Shifted the war from a rebellion to a fight for nationhood

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Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776)

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Major American victory over British General Burgoyne

Convinced France to join the war as an ally to the U.S.

Seen as the turning point of the war

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Diplomat who secured French military and financial support

Helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris

His reputation in Europe gave the U.S. credibility abroad

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British general who led campaigns in the southern colonies

Defeated at Yorktown, leading to the end of the war

His surrender signaled British loss of control

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Final major battle of the Revolution

Washington and French forces trapped Cornwallis’s army

Led to Cornwallis’s surrender and British negotiations for peace

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Officially ended the Revolutionary War

Britain recognized American independence

Set U.S. boundaries and returned territory to various nations