-
French and Indian War begins
Great Britain and France fought a series of wars involving Native Americans.British settlers pushed into the Ohio River Valley, previously claimed by French; French built forts around claimed land.Virginia Colony governon is alarmed by this action so he orders Washington to tell the French to leave.Washington is rejected by the French. -
Period: to
American History
-
Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War begins. The British were ambushed by French, their General among one of the many killed. The British declare war with France. In the end, the French captured Fort Oswego. -
British Capture Quebec
British attacked French and captured Quebec.The British' confidence were boosted after battle victories.As they saw the British had a chance, the Iroquois sided with the British.British plan an attack on French. -
Treaty of Paris (French and Indian War)
The British and French make peace.The French and Indian war was over, and France surrendered.St. Pierre and Miquelon were all that was left of the French Canadian empire.Britain retained control of North America. -
Sugar Act
The British Parliament passed the Sugar Act. Part of the reason this Act was passed was to put an end to colonial smuggling. The colonists protested this British resistance. The Sugar Act was part of the British' newfound interest in colonial occurence. The colonists forced the British to repeal this act. -
Declaratory Act
In 1766, Parliament passed the Declaratory Act in the colonies. The Declaratory Act was passed to better secure the dependency of King George’s rule. Colonists began to believe that the rights they were traditionally given were being attacked by Englishmen. This Act was the start of future uprisings of colonists. -
Tea Act/ Boston Tea Party
In 1773, the English Parliament passed the Tea Act. The Tea Act was passed to help the East India Company, a company that shipped tea to Britain and the colonies. Although the tea price was lowered, colonists were angered by the fact that the British gave the East India Company full ownership of tea. A group of colonists, known as the Sons of Liberty boarded tea ships in Boston, and dumped 90,000 lbs. of tea into the harbor. -
First Continental Congress
The British government passed four laws, strengthening acts such as the Quartering Act, and cutting the power of town meetings. These acts were passed because the British were furious about the Boston Tea Party. In turn, a group of colonists, known as the Committee of Correspondence had a meeting, the First Continental Congress, in which they discussed what they could do next to show Britain their want for independence. The Congress declared colonists had a right to tax and govern themselves, th -
Shot Heard Round the World
Nearby Concord, a shot rang out. About 77 minutemen faced the British, ready to fight at a minute’s notice. Although the British demanded they leave, the minutemen refused. The British fired at the colonists, killing eight of the 77 Americans. This battle was the start of the American Revolutionary War. -
An Important American Victory
A brave group of colonists were victors of a battle in upstate New York. The Americans were advantaged because they made a surprise attack in the early morning. The Americans also captured dozens of British cannons. This attack was so supreme, the British surrendered almost immediately. The cannons the colonists captured would later be used by George Washington to force the British out of Boston. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Washington dragged the seized British cannons on a 300 mile journey that took three months. The Americans needed powerful weapons to be able to force the British out so they brought the cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston. George Washington placed the seized cannons on high ground, overlooking Boston. The British realized they were no longer in control of Boston, so they left. This event showed the colonists that they had a chance against winning their independence. -
Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776 the declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, was approved by Congress. The Declaration of Independence was a document that in letter to the British saying they were no longer wanted. After the document was completed Congress, willingly signed the Declaration of independence with the personal risk of being hanged by the British. Colonists were now fighting to create a new nation, rather than improving it. -
The War at Sea
American naval commander, John Paul Jones, and the Bonhomme Richard fought alongside a bigger ship, the Serapis. As both ships tore each other apart, John Paul Jones didn’t stop until the Serapis surrendered. This battle took place because British fleets blocked American ports. Congress voted to have a Continental navy. The final phase of the Revolutionary war was coming to a close. -
Final Battle
Charles Cornwallis, British commander, surrendered to the Americans. Cornwallis led his main army down to the Yorktown peninsula where he was trapped by American and French soldiers who barred any possible escape on land. A fleet of French navy also blocked any escape by sea. While the Americans and French lined up in two columns, facing each other, the British solemnly threw their weapons into a pile on the ground. This battle in Virginia was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. -
Treaty of Paris (American Revolutionary War)
On April 15, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was approved by Congress. The treaty was signed to state an agreement between Britain and America, now that the war was officially over. Britain accepted the fact that the United States were now independent, and they were no longer under the control of Britain. The new nation that the Patriots had fought for was now theirs. The battle of Lexington was almost 8 years before the Treaty was approved.
