American Revolution Timeline

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    American Revolution Timeline

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    1st Segment of 5 Years

  • Treaty of Paris 1763 (French and Indian War)

    This ended the French and Indian War. France was to give up all of it's territory in North America.
  • The Proclamation Line of 1763

    The Proclamation Line of 1763
    This was a boundary line west of the Appalachians that was supposed to discourage westward expansion and ease tensions with the Native Americans. Many colonists disobeyed this though, settling past the line.
  • Sugar Act

    Aimed at ending the smuggling trade of sugar and molasses. This was effective but strongly disrupted the American economy.
  • Quartering Act

    Colonies were commanded to house British soldiers in barracks provided by Great Britain. If the barracks were too small, the localities were to provide the shelter. Colonists were being taxed to pay for the provisions and barracks.
  • Stamp Act

    Stamp Act
    This taxed the colonists, by stamp, for various forms of paper, documents, and playing cards.The Stamp Act helped pay for British troops stationed in the colonies.
  • Declaratory Act

    This act secured Parliament's power and authority over the colonies. It stated that Great Britain could still tax its citizens in North America.
  • Townshend Act

    This placed import taxes on colonists. The taxes helped pay for the salary of government officials such as judges and governors.
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    2nd Segment of 5 Years

  • Boston Massacre

    Boston Massacre
    The Boston Massacre was triggered by colonists who threw soldiers at British troops. The British shot with no call for fire, ending up with 6 dead, 5 colonists and 1 soldier.
  • Committees of Correspondence

    The Committee of Correspondence was the first method of maintaining communication in the colonies. A few main objectives of theirs were to teach citizens about their political rights, keep in contact with other assemblies throughout America, and spread support for independence.
  • Coercive/Intolerable Acts

    These were made to penalize the Massachusetts Bay colony for the Boston Tea Party.
    1. Boston Port Bill
    2. Massachusetts Government Act
    3. Administration of Justice Act
    4. Quartering Act
    5. Quebec Act
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    3rd Segment of 5 Years

  • Tea Act

    Colonists were forced to buy tea, trade through, and use ships from the British East India Company. This is believed to violate the English Bill of Rights.
  • Boston Tea Party

    Boston Tea Party
    Sons of Liberty dressed up as Native Americans and dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. The was worth a present day value of $1,000,000. It proved how far Americans would go to achieve freedom.
  • 1st Continental Congress

    1st Continental Congress
    The first Continental Congress was formed on September 5, 1774 and lasted until October 26, 1774. They met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and were aiming to bring the colonies together to resist the Intolerable Acts. One of the reasons for their failure was the colonies not responding to their ideas in a unified way.
  • Battle of Lexington and Concord

    Battle of Lexington and Concord
    The Battle of Lexington and Concord is marked as the start of the American Revolution. It is known as "the shot heard 'round the world" because it proved that the colonists could stand their ground against one of the most powerful armies in the world.
  • 2nd Continental Congress

    2nd Continental Congress
    The 2nd Continental Congress was actually formed after the Revolutionary War had started. The group separated the colonies from Britain by adopting the Declaration of Independence.
  • Battle of Bunker Hill

    Battle of Bunker Hill
    After this battle, the American troops became more organized. The losses were heavy, especially for the redcoats. This gave the colonists a spark knowing that they could handle fighting against the British
  • Common Sense

    Common Sense
    Common Sense was written by Thomas Paine. This pamphlet was made to argue for independence from the British and for democracy. It was also made to persuade colonists to join the war effort.
  • Declaration of Independence

    Declaration of Independence
    This document broke the United States off of Great Britain. This was an announcement of their formal separation from the British. Thomas Jefferson was the primary writer.
  • Battle of Saratoga

    Battle of Saratoga
    This was a turning point in the Revolution, ending in a significant American victory. The colonists won by cutting off the redcoats' supplies and slaughtered the British troops. It finished on October 17, 1777.
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    4th Segment of 5 Years

  • Battle of Yorktown

    Battle of Yorktown
    This was a huge win for the Americans because the British general surrendered to George Washington and his French allies. It was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. The Battle of Yorktown ended on October 19, 1781.
  • Treaty of Paris 1783 (American Revolution)

    In this treaty, U.S. independence was acknowledged, along with granting the U.S. significant western regions.