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Battle of Fort Necessity
Also called the Battle of Great Meadows, it was one of the first battles of the French and Indian War. It was George Washington's only military surrender. -
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French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was fought between the British and the French over the Ohio River Valley. Because of the debt Britain owed due to this war, they began taxing the colonists, which eventually led to the American Revolution. -
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Seven Years War
This war started between the British and the French fighting in the American colonies, but ended up involving lots of countries in the world. It was ended by the Treaty of Paris. -
Battle of Fort Duquesne
The Battle of Fort Duquesne was a British attack on the French fort Fort Duquesne. The British suffered heavy losses, but the French did not have many. The site of this battle is what is now Pittsburgh. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was signed in Paris, France. It ended the Seven Years War, even though the French and Indian War was already over in North America. -
The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was when Britain started taxing the colonists on imports of sugar and other things. The British government said they were trying to raise money to help pay for the defense of the colonies. It made trade with other countries more difficult. -
The Stamp Act
The colonists have to have a stamp on all printed paper. This meant they had to pay a tax on all documents, newspapers and even playing cards. This was different from other taxes because it was seen by the colonists as purely a way to make money. -
The Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were taxes on items such as tea, glass, paint, lead and paper, all of which were not produced in the colonies. Colonists were only allowed to buy them from Britain. -
Boston Massacre
Angry colonists threw snowballs and rocks at British soldiers after there had been yelling back and forth.The British responded by shooting their guns. Five people were killed, and six more were wounded. This incident was important because it showed how andry the colonists were becoming towards the British government. -
Tea Act
This led to the Boston Tea Party. It was the final straw for Boston. Other port cities destroyed their tea too, but Boston was punished hardest. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of angry colonists dressed up as Indians, and dumped tea imported from England into Boston Harbor, making it undrinkable. -
Boston Port Act
First Intolerable Act: The Boston Port Act closed the Boston Port in retaliation for the Boston Tea Party. The colonists were ordered to pay back the cost of the destroyed tea. -
Administration of Justice Act
Third Intolerable Act: This Act was unfair to the colonists because British officials were allowed to have a trial in Britain, where the trial wouldn't be fair. George Washington called this the "Murder Act", because he thought it would allow British officials to harrass colonists and get away with it. -
Massachusetts Government Act
Second Intolerable Act: This act said that almost all government positions would be appointed by the British. It caused more rage among the colonists than the closing of Boston Harbor. -
Quartering Act of 1774
Fourth Intolerable Act: This Act said that colonial governors could house British soldiers in unoccupied buildings. -
Quebec Act
Fifth Intolerable Act: This Act took land from the colonies and gave it to the Province of Quebec. It also limited the Colonists' religious freedoms. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress only had delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies. Georgia did not participate, because they were hoping for help from England with their "Indian problem". The Congress was called in response to the Intolerable Acts. The delegates decided to boycott British goods, and made arrangements for the Second Continental Congress. -
Paul Revere's Ride
Paul Revere rode into Lexington, MA to warn the colonists that the British soldiers were coming. -
The shot heard around the world
The first shot of the Revolotionary War. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The battles of Lexington and Concord were the first battles in the American Revolution. These were both towns in Massachusetts. -
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American Revolutionary War
The American Revolution was the war the gave the colonies their freedom from Britain. If we hadn't won this war, we'd probably all be speaking with British accents! (pun intended) -
Second Continental Congress
At the second Continental Congress the delegates did two very important things. They adopted the Declaration of Independance and managed the war. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill was actually fought on Breeds Hill. It was considered a victory for the British, but they had more casualties than the colonists. The American general said these words during the fight that day: "Don't fire till you see the whites of their eyes." -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine published "Common Sense". It challeneged the British government's authority, and was the first widely available document to suggest independence. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence put the colonists' ideas of freedom from the British in writing. It was signed by representatives of all 13 colonies. -
Battle of Punk Hill
This was a minor battle in New Jersey that was a part of the American Revolution. It was a victory for the Americans. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was an agreement between the states, and served as their first constitution. -
Battle of Monmouth
This was a Revolutionary War battle fought in New Jersey. Tactically it was a British victory, but strategically it showed the colonists' strengths. This battle was fought under extreme heat, and Mary Hays, otherwise known as Molly Pitcher, was carrying water to soldiers all morning. When she saw her husband killed, she took his place at the cannon. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The last battle of the American Revolution was the battle of Yorktown.The British general Charles Cornwallis surrendered his army of about 8000 men to George Washington.
