-
The Stamp Act placed a tax on printed items such as newspapers and documents
-
The events that led up to the revolution through the signing of the Treaty of Paris
-
Samuel Adams and others create a patriot group called The Sons of Liberty.
-
Stamp Act is repealed due to strong reactions from colonists.
-
The Declatory Act stated that Parliament's authority was the same in America as in Britain and asserted Parliament's authority to make binding laws on the American colonies. It was issued the same day that the Stamp Act was repealed.
-
The Townshend Acts placed taxes on all imports into the colonies from Britain.
-
British redcoats open fire on a group of colonial civilians after being taunted. Five civilians were killed.
-
The Tea Act allowed the East India Co. to sell tea for lower taxes. It made business for colonial merchants difficult.
-
In response to the Tea Act, members of The Sons of Liberty dress up as Mohawk Indians and dump 342 cases of tea into Boston Harbor
-
The Intolerable Acts were a series of acts placed to attempt to control the colonists. They included shutting down Boston Harbor and the Quartering Act.
-
56 delegates from across the colonies met and drafted a declaration of rights and stated that they would fight against Britain to defend themselves.
-
The battle of Lexington was the first battle of the war and ended quickly with colonial troops retreating. At Concord, minutemen used superior tactics to gain a decisive victory.
-
Delegates recognize the militia as the Continental Army and appoint George Washington as its commander.
-
Thomas Paine publishes his 50 page pamphlet that attacks King George and persuades many colonists to support independence.
-
32,000 redcoats invade New York and defeat the poorly trained and poorly equipped Continental Army.
-
The Declaration of Independence is drafted and declares that the colonies are independent from Britain and that all men are created equal with certain unalienable rights, and among these right are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
-
Washington was determined to win an early victory, so he crossed the nearly frozen Delaware River to surprise attack a garrison of German mercenaries fighting for the British.
-
The Continental Army defeats British general Burgoyne using guerilla tactics. The victory persuades France to openly join the war fighting for the Americans.
-
The Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle in the war. It resulted in a victory for the Americans by surrounding general Cornwallis by land and sea with the help of the French.
-
The signing of the Treaty of Paris meant that American independence was recognized by the world