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

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

Many colonists viewed it as limiting their rights and opportunities

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

It also increased enforcement and crackdowns on smuggling

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Due to colonial backlash, the Stamp Act was repealed in 1766

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

Used as propaganda by Patriots

Deepened colonial resentment toward British occupation

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

Led directly to the Boston Tea Party

Protested the Tea Act and British taxation

Prompted the British to pass the Coercive Acts

Agreed to boycott British goods and form colonial militias

Began unifying the colonies politically

Helped ensure the militias were ready at Lexington and Concord

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

Shot heard round the world began open conflict

Colonial militias forced British troops to retreat to Boston

Created the Continental Army and named Washington its commander

Eventually adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776

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

Symbol of unity and perseverance during the war

Argued that monarchy was unnatural and corrupt

His writing inspired many undecided colonists to support independence

Helped write the Declaration and later negotiated the Treaty of Paris

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

First and largest signature on the Declaration of Independence

Funded and supported patriot resistance in Massachusetts

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

His document explained why the colonies were breaking away

Listed grievances against King George III and Parliament

Shifted the war from a rebellion to a fight for nationhood

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

Seen as the turning point of the war

Helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris

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

Defeated at Yorktown, leading to the end of the war

His surrender signaled British loss of control

Washington and French forces trapped Cornwallis’s army

Led to Cornwallis’s surrender and British negotiations for peace

Britain recognized American independence

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