American Revolution
Study Guide
GPS Standards
SS4H4 The student will explain the causes, events, and results of the American Revolution.
Events that shaped the Revolutionary Movement:
a. Trace the events that shaped the revolutionary movement in America, including the French and Indian War, British Imperial Policy
that led to the 1765 Stamp Act, the slogan “no taxation without representation,” the activities of the Sons of Liberty, and the Boston
Tea Party.
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French and Indian War
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British Imperial Policy
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The Stamp Act of 1765
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Sons of Liberty
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Boston Tea Party
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Fought over control of America
Cost England a lot of money
Called French and Indian War because Native
Americans helped the French
England Won
Because of this war, England began trying to
tax the colonist to pay for it. The
Proclamation of 1763 and the amount of
British soldiers in the colonies made the
colonist upset.
England felt like it was losing control over the
colonies.
These policies were created to keep the English
Empire under control.
Required colonist to buy government stamps
for almost every paper document.
Colonist felt like these taxes were unfair
because they had no say.
“No taxation without Representation”
Sons of Liberty created because of this.
Secret organization formed in Boston to
protest the Stamp Act.
They protested the Stamp Act by:
o Writing letters to Parliament
o Holding public meetings
o Signing petitions
o Boycotting or refusing to buy British
goods.
o Holding violent and peaceful protest
(The Boston Tea Party)
Stamp Act was repealed in 1766
Sons of Liberty disguised as Indians boarded a
ship carrying tea and dumped 342 chest of tea
into the Boston Harbor
This was in response to the tea tax.
Helped unite colonies against England.
Declarations of Independence
b. Explain the writing of the Declaration of Independence; include who wrote it, how it was written, why it was necessary, and how it
was a response to tyranny and the abuse of power.
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First Continental Congress 1774
o Delegates from all the colonies except GA met to discuss problems
colonist were having with England.
o They wrote a letter to England stating they should have the same
freedoms as other British citizens. They asked King George III and
Parliament to stop taxing the colonist without their agreement and to
repeal the Intolerable Acts.
Second Continental Congress 1775
o Discussed Breaking Away from England
o Decided to write a document declaring their independence (The
Declaration of Independence)
o Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration
 Adopted on July 4th, 1776
The Declaration was written to respond to tyranny and the abuse of power by
King George III.
o Colonist felt they were denied freedom.
o Colonist wanted to rule themselves.
o They wanted France on their side.
The Declaration was written in four parts.
o Part I: Why the Declaration was needed
o Part II: Beliefs about government
o Part III: Complaints about English rule
o Part IV: Declared Independence from Great Britain
Major Events of the Revolutionary War
c. Describe the major events of the American Revolution and explain the factors leading to American victory and British defeat;
include the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Saratoga, and Yorktown.
Battles of Lexington
and Concord
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Battle of Saratoga
Battle of
Yorktown
Other Important
Battles:
Battle of Bunker Hill
Battle of Trenton
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Paul Revere and others warned the
minutemen the British soldiers were
marching to Concord.
On their way to Concord, the British
reached Lexington. A Shot was fired. Till
this day, no one knows who fired the first
shot. It was called, “the shot heard round
the world!”
After the fight, eight colonist were dead
and nine were wounded. Only one
British soldier had been hurt. The British
marched on to Concord.
When the British reached Concord, many
minutemen gathered. They forced the
British back to Boston. During their long
march, thousand of minutemen shoot at
them from behind tress and stone walls.
Turning point of the War!
Americans defeat the British
France joins forces with America.
British surrendered and America won
its independence.
England’s Lord Cornwallis surrendered
to General George Washington.
Battle of Bunker Hill
“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” The
British won this battle, but the Patriots had proved that
they could fight well.
Battle of Trenton
Washington wanted to win a battle so that his soldiers
would not give up. On the night of December 25th, 1776,
Washington and his soldiers rowed across the icy
Delaware River to New Jersey. Washington’s army
caught the Hessians by surprise and took almost 1,00o
prisoners!
Key Individuals in the American Revolution
d. Describe key individuals in the American Revolution with emphasis on King George III, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin,
Thomas Jefferson, Benedict Arnold, Patrick Henry, and John Adams.
King George III
George Washington
John Adams
Benjamin Franklin
Patrick Henry
Thomas Jefferson
Benedict Arnold
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King of England during the
Revolution
Tyrant
Abused his Power
Commander in Chief of the Continental
Army
1st President of USA
Leader of the Sons of Liberty
Declaration Committee Member
2nd President of the USA
Convinced France to help the colonies
Declaration Committee Member
Inventor and Scientist
Gave a famous speech protesting the
Stamp Act
“Give me liberty or give me death!”
Author of the Declaration of
Independence
3rd President of the USA
Former Continental Army officer who
turned against the colonist and joined
the British Army.
Famous Traitor!