A Quick Trip Through the Revolutionary War (Part One)

Like all wars, the road to the Revolutionary War was a long and complicated journey. The world was expanding, and countries were fighting for supremacy in the new and old lands. Two of the major world powers were England and France and both had their political fingers in world dominance. One of the wanted conquests was the newly colonized America—but Americans had a different idea for their future . . . Independence.

This blog post is part one of a very brief overview of the Revolutionary War and America’s journey to independence.

An event that most of us don’t think of as a factor in the Revolution is the French Indian War. This war was really a complicated, and multi-premised world war. France and England were stretching themselves thin with battles in both the Seven Years War and the fight to control the colonies in the new America. As we know, England won the French Indian War, but it came with a steep financial burden. Because of the debt incurred, England began to tax the colonists…And tax them steeply. We know how that turned out; the colonists eventually revolted leading to the Revolutionary War.

The end of the French Indian War ushered in a decade of English overrule. Proclamations, taxations and “acts” increased the distrust and animosity

between Great Britain and the colonists. This growing friction would erupt (among other things) in the Boston Massacre on March 5th, 1770 and the Boston Tea Party, December 16th, 1773.

September 5th thru October 26th, 1774, the First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia, PA. Together they issue Declaration and Resolves; a precursor to the Declaration of Independence.

1775 begins with Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give me Death” speech on March 23rd, quickly followed by the rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes announcing the arrival of British troops on April 18th. The following day, the

Minutemen and Redcoats battle at Lexington and Concord, resulting in the “shot heard around the world”. May 10th, the Second Continental Congress meet again in PA which leads to George Washington named Commander and Chief on June 15th. A little more than two weeks later, he assumes command of the Continental Army.

1776 is the year we most associate with America’s liberation from Britain. Usually due to the issuance of the Declaration of Independence. But there was more to the process than the events on July 4th. Beginning July 1st thru July 4th, Congress debates and revises the Declaration of Independence, finally adopting the declaration on the fourth. July 8th it is read publicly. Imagine the feeling of

those colonists hearing the Declaration of Independence read out loud. The delegates don’t actually sign the form until August 2nd. The year is fraught with battles many being own by the British Army. The year ends with Washington’s crossing of the Delaware to capture Trenton from the Hessians on December 26th.

Many events have been left out of this summary of the Revolutionary War. Not because any happening is less important, but because I’ve tried to touch on the events I, personally, feel give an overall view of the times. For a more in-depth look at the Revolutionary War, please take a moment to do a quick internet search. I know you’ll enjoy the added information you learn.

Come back next month to finish our tour through the times of America’s independence. Until then, be blessed friends, and thank you for stopping by Heroes, Heroines and History.


 

Multi award-winning author, Michele K. Morris’s love for historical fiction began when she first read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House book series. She grew up riding horses and spending her free time in the woods of mid-Michigan. Married to her high school sweetheart, they are living happily-ever-after with their six children, three in-loves, and ten grandchildren in Florida, the sunshine state. Michele loves to hear from readers on Facebook, Twitter, and here through the group blog, Heroes, Heroines, and History at HHHistory.com.

Michele is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.