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End of French and Indian War
With the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1763, the French and Indian War and France's claim on North American territories ended, with the lands being divided between the British and Spanish (Treaty of Paris). -
Proclamation of 1763
British Parliament passed this set of laws shortly after the French and Indian War that prohibited settlement beyond the Appalachian Mountains. (Avalon Project) -
Stamp Act
British Parliament passes an act to enforce taxes on anything bearing a revenue stamp on any paper goods. (History.com) -
Quartering Act of 1765
This act passed by Parliament required all colonists to house and feed British forces. This was one of the first sparks for rebellion.(History.com) -
Stamp Act Congress Convenes
A group of nine representatives met in New York to write the Declaration of Rights and Grievances of the Colonies in protest to the Stamp Act and Parliament passing laws and taxes without colony representation (History.com). -
Boston Massacre
A group of Patriots gathered in front of a group of British troops and soon turned into a riot. British troops shot into the crowd killing 5 colonists (York). -
Tea Act of 1773
In an attempt to bail out a friend at the East India Company, the king has Parliament pass the Tea Act, allowing british ships to transport large amounts of tea to the colonies for cut prices, and to enforce the laws against tea smuggling. (History.com) -
Boston Tea Party
A group of patriots, disguised as Mohawks, board a British merchant ship and dump crates of tea into the harbor to protest the Tea Act (PBS). -
Coercive (Intolerable) Acts
Parliament enacts the Coercive Acts, including: Boston Port Act, a new Quartering Act, the Administration of Justice Act, and the Massachusetts Government Act (Davidson 43). Most of the acts were intended to punish Boston for the Tea Party and force them to repay the company for the wasted tea. -
First Continental Congress
Fifty-five delegates get together in Philadelphia to discuss and assert their rights to the British king. For 7 weeks, they discuss and endorse the Suffolk Resolves and the Declaration of American Rights, among other documents urging the colonies to fight back (History.com). -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
These two battles signified the start of the Revolutionary War. Paul Revere made his famous ride to warn both cities of the British advance, resulting in a group that gathered in the Lexington town square. The British won because the group was meant to be a peaceful protest but a shot was fired from somewhere and the colonists were shot down, leaving 8 dead and 10 wounded (History.com). -
Second Continental Congress
The Continental Congress meets again in Philadelphia to discuss raising an army for the war that is already being fought. They choose George Washington to be the leader of the Continental Army (History.com). -
New York Campaign (Battle of Long Island)
Continental army is defeated in the largest naval war expedition to date, Washington's army retreats through Manhattan with only three thousand men (PBS). -
Battle of Princeton
Washington expertly evades the British forces in Trenton by leaving fires burning and sneaking around the side of the British army to head north at night. He only meets with the British Rear Guard and defeats them. Howe decides to abandon New Jersey to the Patriots and focus elsewhere (History.com) -
Battle of Saratoga
As Burgoyne retreats back to Saratoga, General Gates surround his camp and decimates the British forces as they try to escape again. Burgoyne signs an agreement to leave North America (PBS). -
Attack on Savannah
General Clinton sent British troops and Hessians to take over Savannah. This success for the British signalled the beginning of the Southern Campaign (History.com). -
Battle of Charleston
General Cornwallis led the British army from Savannah to take control of Charleston, SC (History.com). -
Articles of Confederation
After fourteen months of debate between the states, the Articles of the Confederate are ratified. These were the outline for the form that government would take once the war ended (History.com). -
Battle of Yorktown
Cornwallis, having set up a base in Yorktown, VA, was attacked by French forces from Rhode Island and the West Indies that had allied with George Washington's american forces. Cornwallis was forced to surrender, marching his 7000 troops out of Virginia. This ended not only the war, but also the Southern Campaign. (PBS) -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention convenes to discuss the peaceful overthrow of the Articles of Confederation. States were split between the Virginia Plan (favored large states and asked for representation by population) and the New Jersey Plan (favorded smaller states and asked for equal representation of all states). The Connecticut compromise was chosen because it had a bicameral government, with equal representation in the Senate, and population determined representation in the House (PBS). -
Ratification of the Constitution
Nine states approve the Constitution, offically making it law for the nation. It made guidelines for a government that had 3 branches (executive, legislative, and judicial), including a president. Later on, the Bill of Rights would be added, solidifying the government for the states. (History.com)
