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Beginning of French and Indian War/Seven Years' War
With the encrouchment of the French on the western side of Pennsylvania, the English begin to worry. Due to the sudden emergence of Britian as a world super power, the English attempt to push the French back out of Pennsylvania, thus resulting in the Seven Years' War: a war fought by the English and American settlers against the French and the Indians. -
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Seven Years' War/French and Indian War
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Prime Minister William Pitt
In 1757, Prime Minister William Pitt took over control of England. His philosophy towards the Seven Years' War was to pour as much money and as many soldiers into it as possible. This was ultimately the turning point in the war. The funneling of money and resources into the war played a large factor in the great debt England establishes. -
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Conquer of French Outposts
In 1759, the British and American soldiers capture Forts Duquense, Ticonderoga and Louisberg from the French. In 1760, the final French outpost, Montreal, is taken, thus marking the loss of the war for the French and Indians. -
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King George III's Reign
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Peace of Paris
The Peace of Paris officially states that the English and Americans won the Seven Years' War. Since they won the French sign over all of Canada to Britian. Britian also gains Florida from the Spanish, who get the colony of Louisanna from the France. This marks the end of the French empire in North America and solidifies the English involvement in colonization. -
The Line of Proclamation
The Proclamation Line was a boarder set by the British to restrict colonists from expanding westward, primarily anyway past the Appalachian Mountains, and into the newly gained land from the Seven Years' War. The basis of this was to ensure good relations with the colonists' new Native American neighbors. Settlers ended up ignoring the British because they did not want to be dictated by them; this marks the first act of defiance towards British rule. -
Sugar Act
In an attempt to reprimand the colonies (Massachusetts imparticular), for the violations of the Navigation Acts put in place to regulate trade and create an English monopoly, the Sugar Act was created. It decreased the tax on molasses and implemented the use of Admirality Courts. These courts were created to try accused smugglers. There is no jury, just a royally appointed judge. Trial by jury is an English right that colonists believed was stripped of them by the British. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was the first instance where the British government taxed the colonies in order to raise money. This put a tax on all printed materials; due to the wealthy being the main group that had access to education, powerful colonial leaders were angered. This also limited publishers' free speech because the British overlooked each publication intimidating them into not writing negative things about the British government. -
Repeal of Stamp Act
As a form of protest, colonists boycotted English goods. Due to economic reasons, the British repealed the Stamp Act. This was the first major split between the English and the colonists over what freedoms they were entitled to. -
Declaratory Act
British Parliament passes the Declaratory Act, which said that it holds the power to legiislate the colonies in whatever way it wanted and whenever it wanted. -
Boston Massacre
When an angry Boston mob confronts British soldiers stationed outside of a government building, chaos ensues resulting in the death of five Bostonians. This was the first recorded bloodshed between the English and Americans towards the path of revolution. A proper trial was held for the soldiers; they were defended by John Adams, who won their case for them. This was essential because it showed that the colonies did not take away the right like the British did to them. -
Boston Tea Party
In an act of defiance against the newly placed Tea Act and creation of British monopoly, the Sons of Anarchy dumped a shipment of the East India Company's tea into Boston Harbor. The leading factor behind this action was that colonists felt that taxation without representation was not fair. -
Intolerable Acts
The creation of the Intolerable Acts were a direct result of the Boston Tea Party. The British closed all of Boston's ports, banned town meetings and replaced all elected officials with appointed ones. -
Suffolf Resolves
Colonial American leaders prompt Americans to disobey British laws and ignore taxes and, most importantly, prepare for war. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
After hearing rumors of weapons being stored in safehouses in Lexington and Concord, British soldiers went to go confiscate them. While returning to Boston they were attacked by Bostonians. This surprise attack resulted in an American victory. This was the first battle of the Revolutionary War. -
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Revolutionary War
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Battle of Bunkerhill
The second battle of the war was a British victory. Despite the English winning the Battle of Bunkerhill, it was their most expensive battle and they only won by a marginal amount. -
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Campaign in New York
After a long string of battles, England wins their second battle of the war, thus gaining control of New York. This loss took a very hard toll on the American army and forced them to retreat into New Jersey. -
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Battle of Trenton and Princeton
George Washington led a surprise attack on the British the day after Christmas after crossing the Delaware River. This American victory provided a huge morale boost for the Americans. -
Battle of Saratoga
During an attempt to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies, the British army was trapped by the Americans. This was a monumental victory for the Americans because it was the pivotal moment of the Revolutionary War. This victory was the convinving factor behind the French involvment/alliance with the Americans. -
Battle/Seige of Yorktown
With the assistance of the French navy, the Americans were able to force an English surrender by backing the British army onto a peninsula. This American victory was the final battle of the Revolutionary War and finalized the British defeat. -
Treaty of Paris
English and American leaders meet in Paris and create the Treaty of Paris. This document recognizes America as an independent country, making it the first in the Western Hemisphere.
