Rev

American Revolution Timeline

  • April 5th, 1764

    April 5th, 1764
    Although it reduced the tax on molasses, the Sugar Act was strictly enforced, so colonist ended up paying more taxes.
  • April, 1765

    April, 1765
    Those who opposed the British taxes called themselves “Patriots” and the Sons of Liberty was born with Sam Adams as its leader.
  • March 22nd, 1765

    March 22nd, 1765
    The Stamp Act was the tax on printed items was the first direct tax on the colonists. It added a fee to printed materials such as legal documents and newspapers.
  • March 24th, 1765

    March 24th, 1765
    Following the French and Indian War, Britain maintained a standing army in the colonies. The Quartering Act required colonial assemblies to house and provision soldiers
  • August 13th, 1765

    August 13th, 1765
    A Mob led by the Sons of Liberty tore down the office and damaged the house of the stamp collector.
  • March 18th, 1766

    March 18th, 1766
    The Declatory Act repealed the Stamp Act but asserted Parliament’s right to rule the colonies as saw fit.
  • 1767

    Import taxes on a variety of goods were collected to support royal officials in the colonies, removing the responsibility from the colonial assemblies. The Townsend Acts were so unpopular that all the taxes were repealed, except the one on tea.
  • March, 5th, 1770

    March, 5th, 1770
    A group of colonist hurled snowballs and rocks at British soldiers guarding the Customs House. The soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five colonists.
  • May 10th, 1773

    May 10th, 1773
    The Tea Act was created to save the East India Tea Company. Although it lowered the price of tea, it
    gave the company a monopoly and threatened the business of colonial importers.
  • December 16th, 1773

    December 16th, 1773
    Boston Patriots dressed as Indians, boarded three British ships laden with tea and Dumped the tea into the harbor. The event became known as the Boston Tea Party.
  • Jan, 1774

    The Intolerable Act officially called the Coercive Acts, these laws were meant to force Massachusetts to pay for the tea destroyed in the Boston Tea Party. The laws closed Boston Harbor and forced colonists to house British soldiers in their homes.
  • Sept 5th, 1774

    The First Continental Congress meets. Agree to boycott British goods.
  • July, 1775

    Congress sends an “Olive Branch” to King George III. He rejected the petition and sent more troops to Boston.
  • March, 1775

    Patrick Henry, gives his most famous speech, in the House of Burgesses. “Give me Liberty or give me Death”
  • April, 19th 1775

    Battles of Lexington and Concord
  • May 10th, 1775

    Second Continental Congress meets. Congress names George Washington commander of Continental Army.
  • June 17th, 1775

    Battle of Bunker Hill
  • July 4th, 1776

    Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence was approved.
  • Jan 9th, 1776

    Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense.
  • Period: to

    Winter 1777-1778

    Baron Von Steuben trains the Continental Army at Valley Forge, Penn.
  • Oct 17h, 1777

    Patriots win in Saratoga
  • Feb. 6th 1778

    France signs an alliance with the United States.
  • May, 1780

    General Clinton captures 3000 Patriot soldiers as he takes Charlestown, South Carolina.
  • Oct 19th, 1781

    General Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown.
  • Sept. 3rd, 1783

    Sept. 3rd, 1783
    Treaty of Paris signed.