APUSH Timeline 1763-1800

  • Pontiac's Rebellion and Proclamation of 1763

    Chief Pontiac leads a revolt against colonists. In response, Parliament passes the Proc. of 1763 stating that no colonists may settle west of the Appalachian Mountains "for their safety."
  • Treaty of Paris

    Treaty of Paris ends the Great War for Empire (French and Indian War/7 Years' War), but England keeps troops located in the colonies.
    The war left England with MASSIVE war debts in need of paying...
  • Sugar Act and Currency Act

    Parliament passes the Sugar and Currency Acts. The Sugar Act nearly wiped out trade with French West Indies.
  • Stamp Act

    Parliament passes the hugely controversial Stamp Act. This inspires the Stamp Act Congress in NYC. The Sons of Liberty begin to violently protest. This also inspires the first American boycott of British goods.
  • Quartering Act

    The Quartering Act states that all colonists must provide housing for British troops in the colonies.
  • Repealment of Stamp Act and enactment of Declaratory Act

    Parliament repeals the Stamp Act, but it passes the Declaratory Act, basically establishing its control over the colonies.
  • Townshend Act and others

    The Townshend Act imposes taxes on paper, paint, glass, and tea. Revenue Act undermines colonial autonomy, and Restraining Act further asserts Parliamentary dominance after NY's refusal to abide by Quartering Act by dissolving the NY assembly
  • Second Boycott

    The second American boycott begins and women begin to take an important role by spinning cloth in the colonies.
  • Second Compromise

    Parliament repeals the Townshend Act but keeps tax on tea intact.
  • Boston Massacre

    Notes from class to further explain.
  • Committees of Correspondence form

    C. of Coresp. form to keep communication active throughout the colonies and to pass Patriot information.
  • Boston Tea Party

    A group from the Sons of Liberty board a ship disguised as Native Americans and dump thousands of dollars worth of tea into the Harbor.
  • Coercive Acts

    (Intolerable Acts) close Boston Harbor, annulled MA charter and banned local town meetings, Quartering Act demands barracks to be built for British troops, and Justice Act allows capital crimes to be transferred to other colonies or England
  • First Continental Congress

    First Continental Congress forms in response to Intolerable Acts in Philadelphia. Send Declaration of Rights and Grievances to Parliament, but are denied and branded an illegal body. A third boycott begins, but Loyalists also begin to organize.
  • Lexington and Concord

    British troops are met by militiamen at Lexington and Concord and forced to turn around. "The shot heard 'round the world" begins violence of Revolution.
  • Second Cont. Congress

    2nd Cont Congress meets to organize an army for war.
  • Lord Dunmore

    Promises freedom to all slaves and indentured servants who fight for the Loyalist cause.
  • Thomas Paine's Common Sense

    Published a pamphlet that became known throughout all the colonies in support of independence. Became a major factor in gaining support for Patriotism.
  • Declaration of Independence

    Declaration of Independence in signed and ligitimized. The colonies will fight for independence.
  • Howe vs. Washington

    Howe heads British forces. Washington heads American forces. American forces are dwarfed in size, experience, leadership, and skill. Howe quickly pushes on the offensive side.
  • Articles of Confederation

    Articles of Confederation are passed as a plan of government for the new nation.
  • British Victories

    Howe occupies Philadelphia, forcing Congress to flee inland.
    American victory at Saratoga is inspiring.
  • Inflation

    The mass printing of paper money from everyone causes aweful inflation.
  • Franco-American alliance

    America finds a friend in France! French support will provide military and economic support. Yay!
  • The South and Georgia

    The British attack the South, and capture Savanna, GA. Fighting continues in GA. Sir Henry Clinton seizes Charleston.
  • Huge victory at Yorktown

    Washington, with assistance from Rochambeau and some French naval forces, surround Cornwallis at Yorktown and force a meaningful surrender. This inspires the final ratification of the Articles of Confederation!
  • Treaty of Paris

    Treaty of Paris officially ends war and finalizes American victory.
  • Land Ordinances

    Congress establishes ordinances in regard to the creation of new states and division of new lands.
    Biggest one: Northwest Ordinance of 1787
  • Shay's Rebellion

    Shay leads a rebellion against MA legislatures refusal to enact debtor-relief laws.
  • Constitutional Convention

    The Articles aren't working, so let's revise them. Oh, wait! Just kidding! We're actually just gonna write a brand new system of government and call it the Constitution.
  • Federalist Papers and Ratification

    John Jay, Madison, and Hamilton write the Federalist papers, convincing the states that a stronger central government is needed. It prompts 11 states to ratify.
  • Judiciary Act

    Judiciary Act establishes lower courts in each state and district courts.
  • Hamilton System

    Hamilton passes through Congress an economic system for the new nation.
  • Bill of Rights

    Bill of Rights is passed. The 10 amendments protect individuals' rights.
  • First Bank of the United States

    Hamilton passes the bank through Congress on a 20 year charter.
  • Kentucky

    A state is created from land in Virginia territory. It is the first new state established under the Constitution, so it solidifies the statehood process for all future states.
  • Republican Party

    Madison and Jefferson form the Republican Party out of the Anti-Federalists
  • Proclamation of Neutrality

    Washington declares US neutrality in the war between Britain and France
  • Whiskey Rebellion

    Western PA revolts, and Washington sends troops to calm the situation. This establishes that the President (Executive Branch) has authority to enforce all laws made by Congress, and that the President can control domestic policy.
  • Jay's Treaty with G.B., Pinckney's with Spain

    Jay's treaty (very pro-British) proves that a Federalist government will give Federalist policies.
    Pinckney acquires Florida?
  • Tennessee

    Another state is created from lands in North Carolina.
  • John Adams

    The election of Adams over Jefferson provides another Federalist government.
  • XYZ Affair and Federalist Policies

    Cuts off trade with France.
    Alien, Sedition, and Naturalization Acts promote very Federalist views.
  • Jefferson's Election

    "Revolution of 1800" proves that the new nation can peacefully and successfully shift power from one political party to another when Thomas Jefferson is elected into office as a strong Republican supporter.