The American Revolution Primary Sources
Historical documents. What clues can you gather about the time, place, players, and culture?
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We already mentioned this one, but it bears repeating. Yale Law School has compiled several primary-source documents from both the colonists and Parliament during the revolutionary era, and put them all on this page for your convenient perusal.
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We've got an entire learning guide devoted to the much-hated Stamp Act of 1765.
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Enough is enough for the colonists. So, they—well Thomas Jefferson—whips up a very detailed document explaining why they need independence. We have an entire learning guide on this one.
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Check out our entire learning guide for this treaty, which made the U.S. of A. official.
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The Albany Plan of Union (unsuccessful), developed by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Hutchinson in 1754.
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You can read Benjamin Franklin's autobiography online.
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The Continental Congress statement of October 20th, 1774, declaring "the Association" of colonies who would boycott British goods.
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The Continental Congress, Petition to the King, July 8th, 1775, known as the Olive Branch Petition.
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An essay on the "Stylistic Artistry of the Declaration of Independence."
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The Articles of Capitulation under which British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to the allied American and French forces.