American History Timeline

Proclamation of 1763

Oct 7, 1763

This act prohibited settlers from crossing Appalachian Mountains. This was so British could have more control of colonies. Colonists protested and started pressing westward since they had less land.

Sugar Act

Apr 5, 1764

This act increased taxes on imports like sugar, rum, and molasses. This was attempt to improve tax revenues. This act brought great resentment to colonists and started protests.

Currency Act

Sep 1, 1764

This act prohibited colonists from printing more paper money. They had to pay in gold and silver instead. This was to standardize Atlantic trade currency. Colonists were very angry about these regulations since there was usually lack of gold and silver, leading to low finances.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

This act forced colonists to pay taxes represented from stamp on things like papers or documents. This was to help pay for British troops. Colonists petitioned king and Parliament in protest since they didn't want to pay extra tax.

The Quartering Act

May 15, 1765

This act required colonists to provided food and housing for British soldiers. Parliament thought colonists should chip in to help soldiers that are helping them. Due to this, colonists protested in assemblies since they didn't want to care for them.

Declaratory Act

Mar 18, 1766

This act declared that Parliament had the right to make laws for colonies. This was to keep colonies under same government. Colonists were outraged since Parliament could tax colonists without representation and implied more acts were coming.

Townshend Revenue Act

Jun 24, 1767

This act placed duties on various consumer items. The revenue from these duties was to support British army and paid salary for people like judges or governors. The colonists decided to not import British goods since they were angry about increased duties.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

This event was in response to a series of acts like the Stamp Act and Townshend Act. This was when a fight broke out between the colonists and British troops, leading to many injured and killed colonists. This then caused several soldiers to be charged with murder and trials in response.

The Tea Act

Dec 16, 1773

This act increased taxation on tea and gave control to East India Tea Company. This gave company monopoly on tea and gave parliament more money. Colonists decided to boycott tea since they didn't want to pay tax.

The Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

In this event, the Sons of Liberty or the colonists dressed up as Native Americans. This way they were let on the ship and proceeded to throw major amounts of tea into the harbor. This was in response to the tax on tea even though the East India Company lowered the cost, the colonists were not happy.

The Intolerable Acts

Mar 31, 1774

This was a series of 4 acts, Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act, and Quartering Act. These were in response to The Boston Tea Party to punish colony of Massachusetts Bay. The colonists resented this because of things like closing the Boston harbor or removing ability to hold trials.

The Battles of Lexington and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

The purpose of this battle was to defend and get the supplies back from the colonists to Britain so they didn't have any advantages. This resulted in the Americans winning and kick-started the Revolution.

The Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 17, 1775

This battle was to gain control of Bunker Hill so that you could see all of Boston Harbor and control all of it. Unfortunately, the colonists mistakenly picked Breeds Hill so British had gained control and General Howe was now leading the British.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

This was a document written to free the colonists from British rule. It was to gain what they called "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." It expressed how King George lll wronged them and why the needed freedom.

The Battle of Trenton

Dec 26, 1776

This was against the Hessians and the British vs. the Americans. The Americans ended up winning and got back control of New Jersey. This victory made both armies more united together.

The Battle of Saratoga

Sep 19, 1777

This war was fought because General John Burgoyne was trying to invade England to isolate them. St. Leger held a truce with Peter Gansevoort offering safe conduct following a surrender but threatened a massacre. However, the Americans didn't surrender and the fight broke out. They then won after the British surrendered.

Valley Forge

Dec 19, 1777

In Valley Forge, the army constructed breastwork, redoubts, and redans. It was the location of the winter encampment of the Continental Army. Even though it was not a battle, 2,000 people died from diseases and malnutrition.

The Battle of Yorktown

Sep 28, 1781

In this battle Washington goes with 16,000 men and French allies to Yorktown. Cornwallis tries to escape but there isn't enough boats. America ends up winning and is a major part of getting their freedom.

Treaty of Paris

Sep 3, 1783

This a document written by certain American politicians that established their freedom, boundaries, etc. It also forbid slaves. This brought the revolution to an end and brought peace.

The Whiskey Rebellion

Mar 3, 1791

This was when a tax to various spirits was added. Pennsylvania and other main producers were outraged and rebelled. After much conflict, Washington ultimately decided to send soldiers to take care of this.

The XYZ Affair

1797

This was when the French were attacking American ships. The Americans wanted to negotiate with the French representatives and they referred to them as X, Y, and Z. Federalists wanted a war with France after they disrespected the Americans.

The Alien and Sedition Acts

1798

To protect themselves, the Americans passed these 2 acts. The Alien Act stated that the president could imprison anyone who was 'dangerous' and not a US citizen. The Sedition Act stated that it was a crime to say anything bad about the government. This was said to be tyrannical since it was contradicting the Constitution.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

1798

This said that the Alien and Sedition Acts were too powerful, so the states could try and get rid of laws that were unconstitutional due to interference with Constitutional rights. This was supported by the democratic-republicans. This also set a precedent to show that the states could do this.

The Embargo Act

Dec 22, 1807

This was an act that stated that trade would be stopped between foreign nations. It prohibited any American ships from leaving the ports to go to foreign places. Its goal was to damage the economy of the British and the French, however it also ended up hurting America's economy. Because of this, America backed out first.

The War of 1812

1812

This was in result of the British shooting down ships, kidnapping people, and disrespecting the US. Even though the US had their freedom, this was to prove that they really did not need the king anymore, nor did they need the British harassing the people, trade, and economy.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Feb 22, 1819

This was when McCulloch and Maryland fought over if you were actually allowed to make a bank according to The Constitution. McCulloch argued that it was implied that you could but Maryland said it was never expressed. They unanimously decided that it was allowed since you needed a bank to decide taxes and handle money for the nation, which was a law expressed in The Constitution.

The Monroe Doctrine

Dec 2, 1823

This was a policy stated by James Monroe saying that the the US was no longer allowing European colonization. It also said that the US would view this as a hostile act and that they would leave the Europeans alone if they left the Americans alone.