World History

The Spread of Enlightenment Ideas

The Tea Act

The Boston Tea Party

The Battles of Lexington and Concord

The Second Continental Congress

The Battle of Trenton

During the 18th century, Enlightenment ideas diffused to the Americas, causing British colonists to reexamine their social standing and change their attitudes toward the oppressive British monarchy.

In 1773, Parliament passed the Tea Act which placed a high tax on tea in the North American colonies Britain owned. The colonists disliked that King George III was taxing them when they had no representation in Parliament.

The colonists were upset with the Tea Act (as well as other taxes). They masqueraded as Native Americans and dumped hundreds of crates of tea into the Boston Harbor to protest against it in 1773.

This battle initiated the American Revolution. Paul Revere warned the minutemen and farmers that the British were advancing. Their preparation contributed to their success in pushing back the British.

The Second Continental Congress was a meeting between delegates from all 13 American colonies which became united in war against Britain. They approved the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson and planned war strategies.

On December 26, 1776, Washington and his troops ambushed Hessian mercenaries (hired by the British) after crossing the icy Delaware River. This was a pivotal battle for the Patriots and helped them turn the tide of the war in their favor.