-
French & Indian War
The French and Indian war was a conflict between America, Great Britain and France. It is known as the "Seven Year's War" whilst actually lasting nine years in total. During the years, Great Britain had huge territorial control over North America and a bunch of allies throughout the war. In the end, Great Britain won against the French and claimed an amount of land but since war was so expensive it led to extreme taxes towards the colonists, making it difficult for them. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was the first direct tax issued law by the British Parliament on the American colonies to gain money after their debt from the Seven Year War with France. This raised revenue for the British as it required American colonists to buy stamps from the British to use on legal and commercial documents. The Stamp Act also taxed dice, cards, pamphlets and almanacs. The colonists did not like the idea of this and refused to pay Stamp Act tax which led towards protesting against it. -
Townshend Act
The Townshend Act by the British, raised revenue to pay off the expenses and salaries to ensure American colonies government loyalty. This act taxed glass, paint, paper, tea and lead which led the American colonists to boycott the British imports. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a riot between American colonists and British soldiers in the streets of Boston. It first started with a brawl between Americans colonists and a British soldier that quickly escalated and became something more violent and gruesome. The Boston Massacre had a huge impact on the American colonists where the British increased taxation that later on paved the way for Americans fighting for independence which led towards the American Revolution. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was originally written by Thomas Jefferson in June 1776. The document stated that American colonies will have the right to depart from Great Britain to become a free and independent country. This document was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 and announced the separation of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain. This also allowed American colonists to obtain an alliance with the French to fight against Great Britain in war. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga plays a huge and important part in the American Revolution. The colonists and British fought for fourteen days, with the colonists winning in the end. This was a big part because this allowed the colonists to step up and persuade the French, Spanish and Dutch to join forces with them which led to the Battle in Yorktown that eventually ended the American Revolution. This battle helped colonists gain support for the war as they still further hoped for independence. -
Valley Forge
The Valley Forge was a winter encampment of the Continental Army where armies could train and recover from battles before. This was during winter because the cold, muddy and wet weather made it hard and rare for any battles to occur, therefore they had troops at Valley Forges during winter. Men that came back from battles would build their own hut made of logs -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown involved the British troops (led by Charles Cornwallis) against the French and Continental troops (led by George Washington.) The French and Continental troops outnumbered the number of British from 17,000 against 9,000. After three weeks of continuous attack, the British finally surrendered in the field of Yorktown on October 17, 1781, ending the war for independence. Soon later, the Treaty of Paris was created. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was signed by Franklin, Adams and Jay at the Hotel d’York in Paris, was finalized on September 3, 1783. The Treaty ended the war of the American Revolution and stated the British acknowledged the United States as an independent nation which allowed American westward expansion. Signing the Treaty of Paris meant to restore peace and obtain an alliance between the United States and Great Britain.