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French and Indian War
The war that created the domino effect for the American Revolution. Was called the Seven Years War in Europe between the French and Great Britain yet the Indians fought on both sides of the war. Created many problems that further wanted America to declare independence. -
Proclamation of 1763
After the French and Indian War, the British put a halt on the expansion of the colonist towards the west of the Appalachian Mtns. This yet created problems for the colonist why would they halt the expansion of the land that they just had fought for but this was also a way to appease the Native Americans that fought on the British's side. -
Sugar Act
As in the title, this was a tax on sugar made a little after the French and Indian war to help overcome the debt of the Seven Years War. It wasn't just that but also molasses which was called the "Poor man Sugar". This also created the harsher enforcement of smuggling the sugar and molasses. The colonies started to boycott this ended up in it getting repealed 1766 -
The Boston Massacre
This was the killing of around five men by the British army. Many speculate that the colonist provoked the British army into making them agitated and firing out on a crowd without orders from the commander many may think that it was the colonist saying fire but one may never know. Eight of the soldiers were acquitted and two got charged for manslaughter. -
Boston Tea Party
The Son's of Liberty dressed up as Native Americans though most people knew they weren't Native as they possibly cheered for them. They dumbed hundreds of chest of tea that amounted to about thousands of dollars into the Boston Harbor as a revolt to the taxes -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
This could be seen as the first battle of the American Revolution. George Washington was the commander of the colonist this is where Paul Revere and Williams Dawes road to sound the alarm this was one of the first battles that they've won under Washingtons command -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Another major battle in MA not as well know but near Breed's hill under the command of William Howe while the British defeated the colonist this gave them a slight bit of hope and confidence because they inflicted major damage on the British. They also drew back because of the lack of ammunition. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Continental Congress asked the British to recognize the colonists rights wanting them to end the intolerable acts then they'd stop the battles. They never asked for independence here they just wanted to be recognized but George III rejected the proposal. -
The Common Sense
This pamphlet was written by Thomas Paine and the purpose to sway more people to support the others who wanted to declare independence from Great Britain and the creation of a new democratic government. -
Declaration of Independence
This is when the colonist formally declared independence from Great Britain by the Continental Congress. There are about 5 parts of the Declaration of Independence the preamble, the stating of their human rights, the list of grievances against the king, the stating of independence, and signatures. -
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Battle of Saratoga
The general of the British troops at the time was John Burgoyne who led the main force through the Hudson River area. Benedict Arnold the famous betrayer also took a big part in this war despite his leg being wounded he delayed the British invasion of New York. This also persuaded the French, Spanish, and Dutch to join the rivalry but mainly because the French had joined and now could provide troops, etc. -
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Articles of Confederation
This was originally created in 1777 yet was ratified in 1781 but the articles were made to establish the national government after declaring independence and a union among the 13 colonies. At the time they did not know that it had many problems but it was made for a stronger union and government powerful enough to defeat Great Britain. -
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Valley Forge
Washington and his army were camped out here during the winter for about six months. It was really bold of him to this but the people who signed up voluntarily there time was almost over. Though the troops suffered tremendously Washington after was able to leave and recapture Philadelphia. -
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Battle of Yorktown
The British general Cornwallis was coming up to the north from capturing Savannah and Charleston to Yorktown. Washington then entraps him on the land and now Cornwallis is trapped between him and the French navy fleet which is holding up the port so they cannot get any resources in and fight against the British troops. This, therefore, made Cornwallis surrender to Washington this was seen as the final battle of the American Revolution -
Treaty of Paris
This was the official ending of the Revolutionary War. Great Britain finally recognized the independence of America. GB finally gave the territory to the colonies between the Appt Mtns and the Missippi river. This was also a way to establish peace between the French again. -
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Shay Rebellion
Daniel Shays Western Massachusetts, small farmers angered by crushing debts and taxes. Farmers could not pay their own debts they rebelled by closing down several country courthouses to prevent farm closures and marched on the state supreme court. This also provided the fuel for federalists who supported a strong federal government. -
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Constitutional Convention
This was originally in order to reform the Article of Confederation that America's government originally operated. Instead, they ended up taking the articles away as a whole and coming up with a new document that would deal with the issues the A of C created. The result was the Constitution. -
Tariff Act of 1789
This was passed in order to raise money for the new central government and to also pay off the debt for the Revolutionary war. This was one of the first major acts passed under the new government which was the Constitution. -
Compromise of 1790
A deal between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton where Jefferson agreed to support Hamilton's plan for the federal government to take in all war debts of all the states. Hamilton also had to support moving the capital of New York City to now today Washington DC. -
Jay's Treaty
This agreement signed between Great Britain and the US resolved many issues that remained after the Treaty of Paris like American exports were blocked by British trade restrictions and tariffs. This also averted war between these nations until 1812 while it made the French mad because it also violated treaties between the United States and France.
