American revolution flag

American Revolution

  • Treaty of Paris (1763)

    Treaty of Paris (1763)
    The French & Indian War (Seven Years War) comes to an end as France surrenders. Along with the victory, the British accumulated a large debt. In order to help pay its expenses, it decided to have the American Colonies pay their part for the war.
  • Boston Massacre

    Boston Massacre
    In the Boston Massacre, British soldiers fired at unarmed colonists and killed eight of them. The colonists were outraged at what the British Regulars did. Watch the following clip of the event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6WHCeIiJv4
  • The Tea Act

    The Tea Act
    This act raised no new taxes. However, it was meant to help out the East India Company, which was in a financial mess. The Company had a lot of tea leftover and needed a place to sell it. Acting with the Company's fate in mind, the Tea Act allowed the East India Company to sell its surplus tea in the Colonies for low prices. Colonists were mad because the lower price hurt their own economies.
  • The Boston Tea Party

    The Boston Tea Party
    Even before this event, Colonists had already refused shipments of the Company's tea to dock at the harbors. In this particular case, Colonists dressed up as Indians and boarded a British vessel and threw hundreds of chests into the harbor, resulting in a big financial loss for the East India Company. Watch the following video:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3enVp7RVLFY&t=1s
  • The Battles of Lexington and Concord

    The Battles of Lexington and Concord
    British Regulars and Minutemen exchange fire at the two towns after the British discovered that the Colonists were storing ammunition. No one knows who fired the first shot. This was seen as the point of no return and the official beginning of the American Revolution. Watch the following clip:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDRSE2Euxs4&t=28s
  • The Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence
    Thomas Jefferson writes an inspiring document that summarizes the feelings of the Colonies toward the King. It also lists the reasons for which the colonists declare their sovereignty (right to rule themselves).
  • Ratification of the U.S. Constitution

    Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
    This constitution included all ten of the amendments known as the Bill of Rights. The Constitution set up how the new government would operate.