Category 1: Trouble is Brewing (Causes of the War)
This 1765 British law forced colonists to pay a tax on all printed paper goods, like newspapers, playing cards, and legal documents.
Stamp Act
He was chosen by the Continental Congress to be the General and Commander-in-Chief of the entire Continental Army.
George Washington
This nickname was given to American colonists who chose to fight against Great Britain for their freedom.
Patriots
The very first shots of the American Revolution took place in these two Massachusetts towns, often called "The Shot Heard 'Round the World."
Lexington and Concord
This word means "freedom from being ruled by another country."
Independence
This was the famous protest motto used by colonists who felt it was unfair to be taxed by a British government where they had no voice.
"No taxation without representation"?
This King of England ruled Great Britain before, during, and after the American Revolution.
King George III
This nickname was given to colonists who wanted to remain part of Great Britain and stay loyal to the King.
Loyalists
This battle was a major turning point in the war because the American victory convinced France to officially join and help the Patriots.
Battle of Saratoga
This historic document was approved on July 4, 1776, announcing that the 13 colonies were breaking away from England.
Declaration of Independence
This famous event happened in 1773 when angry colonists dressed up as Native Americans, boarded British ships, and threw chests of tea into the water.
Boston Tea Party
He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and later became the third President of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson
This is the color of the coats that British regular soldiers wore, which gave them their famous colonial nickname.
Red
This was the final major battle of the war, where British General Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington.
Battle of Yorktown
The Declaration of Independence famously lists these three "natural rights" that belong to all people.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
This tense event in 1770 began with colonists throwing snowballs and rocks at British soldiers and ended with five colonists losing their lives.
Boston Massacre
This silver-smith and Patriot is famous for his "midnight ride" to warn the colonial militia that the British army was on its way.
Paul Revere
This is the name given to colonial militia soldiers who bragged they could be ready to fight at a moment's notice.
Minutemen
This wasn't a battle, but rather a freezing cold winter camp where George Washington's army trained hard and suffered from a lack of food and shoes.
Valley Forge
This official peace agreement, signed in 1783, formally ended the war and recognized the United States as an independent nation.
Treaty of Paris
This British rule forced American colonists to provide housing, food, and bedding for British soldiers stationed in the colonies.
Quartering Act
This famous American general chose to switch sides during the war, becoming a traitor and fighting for the British.
Benedict Arnold
This secret group of Patriots, led by figures like Samuel Adams, was formed to organize protests against British taxes.
Sons of Liberty
Although the British won this early battle overlooking Boston, the Patriots proved they could stand toe-to-toe with the world's strongest army.
Battle of Bunker Hill
This short but powerful booklet was written by Thomas Paine to convince everyday colonists that breaking away from the King made perfect sense.
Common Sense