From the Sugar Act to the Shot Heard Round the World: America Before the Revolution, 1764-1775

Book excerpt: *Chronicles the major events that brought about the American Revolution, including the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, and the Battles of Lexington & Concord. *Includes pictures of important people, places, and events. "The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people....This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution." - John Adams, 1818 A lot of ink has been spilled covering the lives of history's most influential figures, but how much of the forest is lost for the trees? In Charles River Editors' American Legends series, readers can get caught up to speed on the lives of America's most important men and women in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known. The American Revolution is replete with seminal moments that every American learns in school, from the "shot heard 'round the world" to the Declaration of Independence, but the events that led up to the fighting at Lexington & Concord were borne out of 10 years of division between the British and their American colonies over everything from colonial representation in governments to taxation, the nature of searches, and the quartering of British regulars in private houses. From 1764-1775, a chain of events that included lightning rods like the Townshend Acts led to bloodshed in the form of the Boston Massacre, while the Boston Tea Party became a symbol of nonviolent protest. In the summer of 1774, patriot groups around the 13 colonies communicated with each other and brought about the first council that would unite all of them. That September, 56 delegates who had been chosen by their colonial legislatures to attend the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to craft a united response to the Intolerable Acts, debate the merits of a boycott of British trade, declare their rights and demand redress. The First Continental Congress eventually petitioned the British government to end the Intolerable Acts, while also determining to convene again the following summer. As it turned out, the Revolution would be underway before the Second Continental Congress would convene. From the Sugar Act to the Shot Heard Round the World chronicles the momentous events of the decade leading up to the Revolution, culminating with the legendary midnight ride of Paul Revere and the Battles of Lexington and Concord. It comprehensively covers the roles played by men like Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock and Joseph Warren, and the way the political outlook evolved from peace to separation. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the run-up to the Revolution like you never have before, in no time at all.