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Queen Anne's War
1702-1713. The principal events of Queen Anne's War were the capture and burning in 1702 by English colonists of Saint Augustine, Florida, (a Spanish possesion at that time); the capture and burning of Deerfield, Massachusetts, and the massacre of many of the inhabitants of the town in 1704 by French troops and their Native American allies along with unsuccessful expeditions in 1704 and 1707 by troops from New England against Port Royal, Acadia. -
Great Awakening
1730-1740. A rebellion against authoritarian religious rule caused the Great Awakening. Amidst the growing population of the colonies within the 18th Century and mass public gatherings, charismatic personalities delivered their messages. Though a religious movement, the Awakening had repercussions in the cultural and political areas as well. Customs of civility and courtesy were changed by the Great Awakening. -
Molasses Act
The Molasses Act was one of many other acts in a series of acts, generally called the Navigation Acts, passed by the British Parliament that were meant to control the trade of her colonies in a way that would produce the most profit for England. This policy is called mercantilism and was followed by all of the colonial powers of Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. -
Zenger Trial
1734-1735. The Zenger trial influenced the attitudes of future generations of colonial Americans. After independence from Great Britain was won, the first United States Congress included guarantees of a free press in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. -
The War of Jenkin's Ear
It was a struggle between England and Spain. It grew out of the commercial rivalry of the two powers and led to involvement in the larger War of the Austrian Succession. The incident that gave the name to the war occurred in 1731 when, according to Robert Jenkins, master of the ship Rebecca, he had his ear cut off by Spanish coast guards. English smuggling and resentment at exclusion from the Spanish colonial trade caused the war. -
French and Indian War (Seven Years' War)
1754-1763. British soldiers fought against French soldiers and Native Americans. Native Americans joined in the battle against the British because they were afraid the British would take over their land.The war ended in 1763 when British Major General James Wolfe captured Quebec. -
Battle of Quebec
The Battle of Quebec took place on September 13, 1759. The battle was between the French and the British. John Wolfe was the leader for the British and he died in the battle. The French leader was General Joseph de Montcalm. He died the next day from all the wounds he received in the battle. The Iroquois, a Native American group, helped out the British. The Iroquois were a very strong group. -
Pontiac's Unprising
The British headed for to Fort Detroit along the southern shore of Lake Erie. When they reached the Cuyahoga River, some Ottawa under the leadership of Chief Pontiac met him. Pontiac was allied with the French and warned Rogers to turn back and not come through their land. Despite the warning, Rogers continued on and eventually captured Fort Detroit for the British. In 1762 Chief Pontiac was able to join together most of the area's Indian confederacies. -
Proclamation of 1763
This closed lands north and west of the Appalachian Mountains to settlement. The goal of the British was to put a stop to conflicts that had arisen between the Native Americans and the colonists due to the French and Indian War. However, many colonists had purchased land or had been given land grants in that area in exchange for their military service during the war. Settlers began ignoring the Proclamation Line. Eventually, the colonists were able to get the line moved further west. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was one of the most important events involving the British Crown attempting to force acts and taxes on the colonials. The massacre drew attention to the issues between the colonists and the British style of rule, and colonial sentiment was turned against King George III. -
Boston Tea Party
From the Boston Tea Party, Britain realized that more control was needed in the colonies. Therefore, Britain issued the Intolerable Acts and the Quebec Act. The Boston Tea Party was a large patriotic booster in which it encouraged the Americans to revolt. -
Battle of Long Island
The British recognized the strategic importance of New York as the focal point for communications between the northern and southern colonies. Washington also recognized this, and in April of 1776 he marched his troops from Boston to New York. He positioned his troops on the western end of Long Island in anticipation of the British arrival. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress convened on September 5, 1774. Twelve of the 13 colonies sent delegates. The Congress, which continued in session until late October, did not advocate independence; it sought rather to right the wrongs that had been inflicted on the colonies and hoped that a unified voice would gain them a hearing in London. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence has great significance to the American people because it is what led to our independence from King George III. The Declaration of Independence justified our right to revolt against a government that no longer guaranteed us our natural rights. And it also helped us to get increased foreign assistance from France in our fight to become free from King George III of England. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was a peace treaty signed by Britain and the United States ending the Revolutionary War. The British formally recognized American independence and ceded territory east of the Mississippi while the Americans promised to restore Loyalist property and repay debts to British creditors.