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== American Revolution ==

== American Revolution ==

In 1770, the [[British Empire]] was the greatest in the world, and it continue to grow in power into the 1800s.  The idea that 13 different colonies with tiny armies and a divided populations - a large percentage of which were pacifist Quakers - could defeat the mighty British would have been absurd in 1770.  But, this unlikely victory came true.  The story of the epic struggle for freedom is the story of the American Revolution.

In 1770, the [[British Empire]] was the greatest in the world, and it continue to grow in power into the 1800s.  The idea that 13 different colonies with tiny armies and a divided populations - a large percentage of which were pacifist Quakers - could defeat the mighty British would have been absurd in 1770.  But, this unlikely victory came true.  The story of the epic struggle for freedom is the story of the American Revolution.

However, the British government appointed colonists to sell the stamps, imagining that intimidation would persuade them to do as the government asked.  Instead, they simply didn't sell stamps, and the colonies kept doing business without them.  Realizing that it had underestimated the colonies, Britain repealed the Stamp Act in 1766.

However, the British government appointed colonists to sell the stamps, imagining that intimidation would persuade them to do as the government asked.  Instead, they simply didn't sell stamps, and the colonies kept doing business without them.  Realizing that it had underestimated the colonies, Britain repealed the Stamp Act in 1766.

In 1770, in what became known as the "Boston Massacre,"  British troops shot and killed a colonial mob for throwing snowballs (some having rocks) at it.  (The future President John Adams then served as the defense attorney for the British soldiers, and obtained "not guilty" (acquittal) verdicts for them because they were provoked into shooting.)

 

In 1770, in what became known as the "Boston Massacre,"  British troops shot and killed a colonial mob for throwing snowballs (with rocks in them) at them.  (The future President John Adams then served as the defense attorney for the British soldiers, and obtained "not guilty" (acquittal) verdicts for them because they were provoked into shooting.)

The first American act of aggression was by the "Green Mountain Boys":  they captured Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 because Ethan Allen wanted to protect his land holdings in the disputed area that became Vermont.  

There was relative calm from 1770 to 1773.  But even during this calm period, Rhode Island smugglers burned the British ship Gaspee in 1772.

There was relative calm in 1770-73.  But even during this calm period ,Rhode Island smugglers burned the British ship Gaspee in 1772.   

The British next passed the Tea Act of 1773.  A large British tea company, the East India Company, lobbied for and obtained [[monopoly]] (exclusive) rights from the England.  The East India Company had a huge inventory of tea and received an exception from the tea tax and proceeded to import this huge inventory to Boston Harbor, where it would undersell colonial merchants.  The Puritans of Massachusetts were outraged.  They tried to have the tea turned back to England, but the royally-appointed governor refused.  Led by Samuel Adams, a group of colonists disguised themselves as Indians and boarded the ship.  They dumped all of its tea into Boston Harbor; the task took an entire night.

The British next passed the Tea Act of 1773.  A large British tea company lobbied for and obtained [[monopoly]] (exclusive) rights from the England.  Had a huge inventory of tea.  Received an exception from the tea tax and proceeded to import this huge inventory to Boston Harbor, where it would undersell the colonial merchants.  The Puritans up there in Massachusetts were outraged.  They tried to have the tea turned back to England, but the royally appointed governor refused.  Led by Samuel Adams, a group of roughnecks dressed up as Indians and went on board the ship, and dumped all of its tea into Boston Harbor.  It had the entire night to do it.

As further punishment, Britain passed the Coercive Acts, or the Intolerable Acts.  They revoked Massachusetts’ charter, closed Boston Harbor, installed a British general as governor, and repealed liberties like the right to hold town meetings.

The British responded by revoking Massachusetts’ charter, closing Boston Harbor, installing a British general as governor, and repealing liberties like the right to hold town meetings.

At last, American's would not tolerate England's oppression.  The "Green Mountain Boys" captured Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 because Ethan Allen wanted to protect his land holdings in a disputed area that became Vermont.  

The British also passed the Quebec Act, which gave the Canadians part of the Ohio Valley, which infuriated colonists.  It also gave the French more freedoms, such as freedom of religion for the Catholic Church there.  Colonists were angered because (1) they felt people in Quebec were getting more freedoms than they had and (2) they feared establishment of an Anglican Church in America.

The British also passed the Quebec Act, which gave the Canadians part of the Ohio Valley.  This infuriated the colonists.  In addition, the Act gave the French more freedoms, such as freedom of religion for the Catholic Church.  Colonists were angered because (1) they felt people in Quebec were getting more freedoms than they had and (2) they feared establishment of an Anglican Church in America.

The [[First Continental Congress]] was held in 1774. 12 colonies (not Georgia) agreed to disobey Coercive Acts, withhold taxes, cut trade, and arm the people.

The [[First Continental Congress]] was held in 1774. Every Colony except Georgia agreed to disobey Coercive Acts, withhold taxes, cut trade, and arm their people.

The [[Second Continental Congress]] was held in 1775: made written money and named George Washington head of [[Continental Army]], who governed during the Revolution.

The [[Second Continental Congress]] was held in 1775: made written money and named George Washington head of [[Continental Army]], who governed during the Revolution.