The Revolution

(Period: The Road to Independence)

Synopsis:

For a brief synopsis of the history of this time and period: Click Here.

Historical synopsis courtesy of A Hypertext on American History from the colonial period until Modern Times by Department of Humanities Computing, University of Groningen, The Netherlands and the former United States Information Agency (1953-1999).

Key Facts:

• The shot that incited the violence between the British and Americans was called "the shot heard 'round the world" by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Key Events:

• April 19, 1775 - British troops opened fire and killed silent American protesters
• May 10, 1775 - The second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia
• May 15 - Congress voted to go to war.
• August 23, 1775 - King George III declared the colonies to be in a state of rebellion

Key People:

• General Thomas Gage - English General who was in charge of the Boston area
• Minutemen - American soldiers who were ready to fight "any minute"
• John Parker - leader of the Minutemen.