The document summarizes the key causes and events of the American Revolution. It explains that while various taxes imposed by the British provoked the colonists, the true cause was the desire for self-determination and not having a say in taxation. It then lists some of the major battles of the Revolutionary War and influential individuals like Washington, Adams, and Jefferson who helped lead the colonists to independence through their leadership and belief in the cause of liberty.

1. The American Revolution “… but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” - Patrick Henry

2. “ What do we mean by the Revolution? The war? That was not part of the Revolution. It was only an effect and consequence of it. The Revolution was in the minds of the people .” - John Adams

3. What caused the American Revolution? Townshend Acts? Tea Act? Boston Tea Party? Stamp Act? Quartering Act? Intolerable Acts? Sugar Act? Did all of these acts and taxes cause the American Revolution? Yes and no. The truth is Americans paid only $1.20 a year in taxes compared to English citizens who paid twenty-five times that.

4. The actual money paid in taxes was not the issue. The issue was that the colonists were being made to pay taxes when they had no say in the matter. “ I am clear that there must always be one tax to keep up the right. And, as such, I approve the tea duty.” - King George III

5. This desire for self-determination was the “revolution in the minds of the people”. We will explore all of the causes of the American Revolution, including what is meant by self-determination . The true issue was the idea of self-determination .

6. We will also examine the events of the war itself. How did an army made mostly of volunteer farmers and tradesmen win a war against the most powerful nation in the world?

7. We will answer this question as we examine the following Revolutionary War battles. Princeton Saratoga Trenton Lexington and Concord Yorktown Bunker Hill

8. In the process of analyzing the causes of the war and the war itself, we will meet some amazing individuals whose visionary leadership and unwavering belief in their cause won American independence. We will be introduced to the following significant individuals.

9. Sam Adams John Adams Thomas Paine Patrick Henry Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin George Washington

10. A desire for self-determination and/ or political and economic change is at the core of most revolutions. The Enduring Understanding for the American Revolution unit is as follows:

11. Many Patriots were willing to give their lives for the ideals of limited government, true representation, and self-determination. These ideals have endured and are the cornerstone of American democracy today.

12. These brave individuals fought for and won our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.