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Conclusion of the French and Indian War, NE United States
Because of the costs of the French and Indian War, the British Government decided to tax the American Colonies. These new taxes were a push for the revolution.
Sources: https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-american-revolution
Photo: https://www.grunge.com/406754/heres-how-the-french-and-indian-war-came-to-an-end/ -
Stamp Act, Colonial America
The Stamp Act was created by the British Parliament to fuel more revenue to the defense military. Colonist were outraged by the new tax and rioted.
It taxed newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, broadsides, legal documents, dice, and playing cards.
Sources: https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-american-revolution
Photo: https://www.britannica.com/event/Stamp-Act-Great-Britain-1765 -
Townshend Acts, Colonial America
6/6/1767 - 7/2/1767: British Parliament passed these four acts in an attempt to maintain power over the colonies. The acts were resisted in every way, from non-compliance to outright violence. This further fueled anti-British sentiments among colonists. Source: https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-american-revolution
Photo: https://img.haikudeck.com/mg/C690A883-2AFF-4889-B96E-FB22A5939639.jpg -
Boston Massacre, Boston MA
An angry mob of colonists attacked British soldiers by throwing things such as snow and ice balls, sticks, and stones. The soldiers fired, killing 3 citizens and wounding others.
This led directly to the removal of the British Army.
Sources: https://www.ushistory.org
Photo: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/fresh-look-boston-massacre-250-years-after-event-jumpstarted-revolution-180974342/ -
Boston Tea Party, Boston Harbor, MA
In a direct act of protest, a group of Bostonians dressed up in Mohawk costumes, boarded ships that were docked at the Boston harbor, and tossed overboard £10,000 worth of tea. This act was in response to high taxes on tea, as well as what the Bostonian's viewed as the Brit's monoply on the main tea company (East India Company).
Source: https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-american-revolution
Photo: http://teachnet.eu/tobrien/files/boston-tea-party.3.jpg -
Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts), MA
Intended to punish the colonist, Britain passes series of acts as a force against the rebellions, specifically in Boston.
The Boston Port Act: Port closure
Massachusetts Government Act: Minimized the colonists control over the government
The Administration of Justice Act: Colonist could not organize trials against British soldiers.
Quartering Act: Instead of colonist, royal governors were in charge of finding homes to house British Soldiers.
Colonists formed a Continental Congress.
See Sources -
First Continental Congress Convenes, Philadelphia, PA
Fifty-six delegates convened in Philadelphia, representing 12 of the 13 colonies, in response to the Intolerable Acts. Included in the delegates were George Washington and John Adams. Source: https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-american-revolution
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-continental-congress-convenes
Photo: See sources page (too long to fit here) -
Patrick Henry's speech, Richmond, VA
The speech convinces Virginians to strengthen a military to protect their freedom and question Britain's power.
"...Why stand we here idle? ... Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/patrick-henry -
Paul Revere's Midnight Ride and the Battles of Lexington and Concord, MA
Paul Revere embarked on the Midnight Ride the night of April 18th to give a warning to American troops that the British forces were approaching. On April 19th, the Battle of Lexington was sparked, and the Battle of Concord soon followed, which forced the British column back to Boston. These events initiated the Revolutionary War.
Sources: https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-american-revolution
(See additional source page) -
Battle of Bunker Hill, Charlestown
The British Army won the battle, but lost 40% of their soldiers and many officials. Although it was a loss for the colonists, they found it to be a moral win since it proved their ability to fight well against the British. This fights showed that a peaceful relationship between the Americans and the British could not exists.
See Sources -
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" published, Philadelphia, PA
A 50-page pamphlet that shifted people's view of the conflict with the Brits from that of a "civil war-type" dispute to an all out need for a separation of countries. This pamphlet very quickly sold more than 100,000 copies, and it "paved the way for the Declaration of Independence".
Source: https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-american-revolution
Photo: See page of additional sources -
Declaration of Independence, Pennsylvania State House
A document was created that declared the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain. Including Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina.
Source:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Declaration-of-Independence
Photo: https://www.livescience.com/46663-preserving-declaration-of-independence.html -
Washington crosses the Delaware, Trenton
George Washington led a troop across the Delaware River in a raging winter storm to Trenton where Hessian soldiers (British forces) were posted. They won the battle and left with many goods, including rum and military supplies. This kept the Americans will for independence alive! Many who were giving up on the war, changed their mind.
Sources: https://america250.org/news/general-george-washington-and-the-crossing-of-the-delaware/ -
Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga, NY
John Burgoyne, a British General, surrendered 5,000 British and Hessian troops to American General Horatio Gates at Saratoga. This surrender marked a decisive victory for the Americans and led to an alliance with France.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Battles-of-Saratoga -
Washington winters at Valley Forge, 22 miles NW of Philadelphia
*Until June 19th 1778
After the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown, Washington and his rundown (from sickness, coldness, and hunger) army wintered at Valley Forge to recuperate. Without this time to heal, they would not have been strong enough for future battles.
Sources: https://www.britannica.com/event/American-Revolution/The-war-at-sea
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/winter-valley-forge
Photo: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/winter-valley-forge -
France and the United States form and alliance, Colonial U.S.A.
When King Louis XVI of France heard about the victory at Saratoga, France formally recognized the independence of the United States and agreed to provide aid to the cause of the Patriots. France and the U.S. thus signed a Treaty of Alliance. The aid that France provided helped the Americans to win the Revolutionary War.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-american-revolution
(See Additional Sources) -
John Paul Jones: "I have not yet begun to fight!", N coast of England
John Paul was a naval officer who refused to surrender to the British on the "Bonhomme Richard" warship. His perseverance led to a victory against the British warship "Serapis".
Sources: http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/johnpauljones.htm#:~:text=John%20Paul%20Jones%20in%20Battle%2C%201779&text=%22I%20have%20not%20yet%20begun%20to%20fight!%22%20This%20was,England%20during%20the%20American%20Revolution.
https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-american-revolution (Photo aswell) -
Articles of Confederation ratified, Philadelphia, PA
The Articles of Confederations were a unified framework for a federal government among the 13 states, but preserved state's independence. The document allowed the states to sign treaties, initiate war, maintain relationships, but states were still responsible for things like taxes. Because the articles gave more power to states, and the central government was weak, it eventually led to the need for the Constitutional Convention in 1787 where the US constitution replaced the articles
See sources -
Siege of Yorktown, VA
9/28/1781 - 10/19/1781: The last big battle of the Revolutionary War. Forces under French Count de Rochambeau were able to place Yorktown under siege. As a result, the British forces surrendered on October 19, 1781, and negotiations for peace soon followed.
Sources: https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-american-revolution
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/siege-of-yorktown
Photo: (See Additional Sources page) -
Treaty of Paris ends the war, Paris, France
Britain recognizes the independence of the United States and ends the revolution. The British hoped to gain trade opportunities.
Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay negotiated the peace treaty with British representatives.
Sources: https://www.bl.uk/the-american-revolution/articles/peace-of-paris#:~:text=The%20French%20and%20British%20ministers,treaty%20would%20encourage%20economic%20links.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/treaty-of-paris -
Creation of the U.S. Constitution, Philadelphia, PA
5/5/1787 - 9/17/1787: Because of the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation, a constitutional convention was held in Philadelphia, and from this, the U.S. Constitution was created. Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/american-history-timeline-1783-1800-104301
Photo:https://d1jqecz1iy566e.cloudfront.net/large/ch022.jpg -
Library of Congress created, Washington D.C.
The Library of Congress was created on April 4, 1800. A beginning budget of $5,000 resulted in about 964 volumes reported on the initial catalog. Significant because Americans began thinking beyond just war.
Source (see additional): https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/library-of-congress-established
