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British end the war with France and Spain - gaining new lands for Britain in North America
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The Parliament of Britain passes the Sugar Act, taxing molasses in an effort to raise money for military expenses left over from the French and Indian War.
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Britain passes the Stamp Act which imposed a tax on all paper documents in the colonies. American colonists protest.
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British repeal the Stamp Act, but redeclares their power over the colonies.
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The Townshend Acts imposed duties on British china, glass, lead, paint, paper and TEA imported to the colonies. But American colonists, who had no representation in Parliament, saw the Acts as an abuse of power. The British sent troops to America to enforce the unpopular new laws.
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British seize wealthy businessman John Hancock's ship which leads to violence. The British send more troops to Boston.
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A street brawl between colonists and British soldiers in Boston escalated to a deadly riot. Starting with angry words and snowballs, the fight ended with gunshots and five Americans were killed.
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Boston residents throw crates of tea into Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act
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British pass the Intolerable Acts as a punishment for the Boston Tea Party.
First Continental Congress meets. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord mark the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. Hundreds of British troops marched from Boston to nearby Concord in order to seize an arms cache. Paul Revere and other riders sounded the alarm, and colonial militiamen gathered to confront the British soldiers. When the militiamen showed they were willing to engage with one of the most powerful armies in the world, the British retreated to Boston.
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British win but suffer significant casualties which provides a confidence boost to the colonists at the outset of the war.
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The Continental Congress commissioned George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. Washington was selected because of his previous military experience and the hope that a leader from Virginia could help unite the colonies.
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British win the Battle of Long Island, but Washington escapes and continues to fight.
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British win control of Lake Champlain, but fail to take Fort Ticonderoga and return to Canada for winter.
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Washington crosses the Delaware and defeats Hessian mercenaries in Trenton.
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Americans win and reassert control over much of NJ. The win helps improve army morale and unity.
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After wintering in Canada, the British head south on Lake Champlain and take over Fort Ticonderoga without a fight. Americans abandoned the fort when the British occupied the nearby high ground of Mount Defiance.
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Fighting on September 19, and again on October 17, Americans win the Battle of Saratoga, and the British surrender over 6,000 soldiers. This victory convinces France to join the war against the British.
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British take control of Philadelphia, the American capitol.
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Under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, the Americans inflicted heavy casualties on the British. It was a turning point in the war's Southern campaign.
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American and French forces battle British General Cornwallis at Yorktown. Cornwallis surrendered and it marked the last major battle of the American Revolution.
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The Treaty of Paris formally ended the American Revolutionary War. King George III of Britain formally recognized American independence.
