American Revolution

The American Revolution was truly revolutionary considering all attempts made by the colonists to gain their natural rights. For many years the colonists made attempts to free themselves of the taxes imposed on them by Britain, Britain's refuse to grant any of the colonists plea's eventually led them to seek independence and want to start their own nation.

The French and Indian war was a long term effect of the American Revolution. After the war Britain was in great debt and needed money. They taxed the colonists on items of everyday use such as paper, sugar, tea, etc... This really infuriated the colonists which caused them to rebel. Some of the colonists rebellion include the Boston tea party. (doc 1) In this event the colonists dressed up as Indians and dumped all of the British tea into the Boston Harbor. The colonists were hoping this would show the King that they were not to be messed with, however the plan backfired and the King ended up closing the Boston harbor making it unavailable for the use of the colonists. The colonists were also upset with the Quartering Act Britain imposed on them. This act stated that the colonists had to provide housing and provisions for the British soldiers. Colonists felt this was an invasion of their privacy and were not happy with this at all.

The First Continental Congress was held on September 5, 1774, and lasted until October 26, 1774. It was held because the colonists were very upset about the Intolerable Acts and the taxes. The Intolerable Acts were punishments that the King put on the colonies. He put them on so the colonists would feel sorry about dumping tea into Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party. The Congress met in secret, they did not want the British to know they were meeting. The meeting was held to discuss unfair treatment from Britain, what relationship the colonies should have with Britain, and what colonists' rights should be. The first continental congress stated "The repeal of the intolerable acts is essentially necessary, in order to restore harmony between great Britain and the American colonies." (doc E) The First continental congress made efforts such as boycotting British goods in order to show Britain that they would not accept the taxes put on them.

The members of the colonies planned on fighting back. They had look outs such as Paul Revere who would warn the patriots when they loyalists were coming. Many colonists who were writers printed material against the king even though it was forbidden and ended up being put to trial for it. After many long, hard, struggles the American Revolution was finally ended with the treaty of Paris in 1783 in which the United states was recognized as an independent country. In addition Great Britain granted the new nation all of its land from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River, and from Canada to Florida. ( Doc c)

A revolution is a forcible overthrow of a government or social