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Period: to
Colonial Society and Revolutionary Era
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American Colonies Grow
The Anglo population reaches 275,000 with Boston reaching a population of 7000, and New York reaching to a population of 5000. -
French Establishes Colony
France establishes a settlement in Detroit -
Queen Anne's War
After just a month of rule under Queen Anne, England declares war on France after the death of Spanish King Charles II. England declared war because they did not want a union between France and Spain. English and American colonists will fight the Spanish, the French, and the Native Americans for the next eleven years. -
South Carolina establishes the Anglican Church
South Carolina establishes and declares the Anglican Church as it's offical church. -
Tuscorara Indian War Begins
Hostilities break out between Native Americans and settlers in North Carolina after the massacre of settlers. This conflict is named the "Tuscarora Indian War" will last two more years. -
Queen Anne's War Ends
Queen Anne's War ends with the Treaty of Utrecht -
Tea Arrives in America
Tea is introduced for the first time into the American colonies. In August, King George the 1st succeds Queen Anne for the English throne. -
Black Slaves Arrive in Lousiana Territory
The first group of black slaves is brought into the Louisiana Territory, starting more than two centuries of slave labor in the South. -
New Orleans is Established
The French founds the city of New Orleans in America -
The Rise of Slaves
The black slave population in the American colonies is now around 75,000 -
King George II Becomes King
King George ascends the English throne -
Baltimore is Founded
Baltimore is founded in the Maryland colony -
The First American Public Library is Founded
The first American public library is founded in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin -
Benjamin Franklin's "Poor Richard's Almanac" Published
Benjamin Franklin's famous book is first printed out, continuing to sell on for 15 more years. -
Georgia Is Founded
Georgia, the 13th English colony, is established. -
The Molasses Act
English Parliament passes the Molasses Act,a heavy tax on items such as sugar, molasses, and rum. These items were imported from non-British islands by British farmers in danger of being over taken by Dutch competition. This tax helped protect them. -
John Peter Zenger
John Peter Zenger, a New York newspaper publisher, is arrested under the accusuation of seditious libel by the Governer of New York. -
Zenger's Trial
After his arrest for "seditious libel", John Peter Zenger stands trial against the New York governer. Luckily, he is acquitted after his lawyer sucessfully convinces the jury that the truth is a defense against libel. -
England declares war on Spain
England declares war on Spain. As a result, hostilities break out between Florida Spaniards and Georgia and South Carolina colonists in America. -
Revolts and Wars
Fifty black slaves are hanged in Charleston, South Carolina, after plans to lead another rebellion are revealed. At this same time, King George's War begins due to the passing of Emperor Charles the fifth. -
The Iron Act
The Iron Act is passed by British Parliament, limiting the growth of industry in the American colonies to protect the English iron industry. -
The Currency Act
The English Parliament passes the Currency Act, banning the issue of paper money in the New England colonies. -
The French and Indian War
The French and Indian War erupts from a series of disputes about the aquirement of the Ohio River Valley. George Washington leads a small group of Americans to victory. He later establishes Fort Neccesity, which is destroyed by French troops later. -
Britain Declares War
Britain declares offical war on France after two years of the French and Indian War. -
Issues in the Colonies
The French Fort Niagara is captured by the English. During the same year, war erupts between Cherokee Indians and southern colonists. -
The Fall of Quebec
Battle of the "Plains of Abraham", British defeat French, gaining control of Canada. -
Another King Rises
King George the Third becomes King of England. He will reign throughout the American Revolution. -
The French and Indian War Ends
The French and Indian War (also known as the Seven Years War) ends with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Under the treaty, France gives up all French territory west of the Mississippi River to England with the exception of New Orleans. The Spanish gives up Florida to England in exchange for Cuba. -
Proclamation of 1763
Signed by King George the 3rd, it forbids colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains to avoid any Native American conflict. Any colonists that have already settled there are required to move back into the accepted territory. -
Sugar Act
This tax was placed on sugar, wine, and other important things. The English used this tax to help pay for the unwanted protection against Indians and other threats against the colonists. This upset colonists because they were not able to get as much money as they usually would selling this projects. In addition, this encourgaged the American colonists to buy and sell to the English instead of to foriegn competitors. -
Quartering Act
Parliament passes an act that requires colonists to provide housing for British troops and supply them with food. -
The Stamp Act
This act is the first direct tax imposed on American colonies from English Parliament. This was needed to offset the costs of military services from the British in America. For the first time, this tax was not to help America itself, but directly Britain. It was placed on newspapers, playing cards, dice, licenses, legal documents, bills, and pamplets. In doing this, angry American colonists banded together in protest. -
Townshend Acts
English Parliament passes the Townshend Revenue Acts, imposing a new series of taxes to colonists to offset the cost of "protecting" and "administering" the colonies. The items that were taxed were tea, paper, glass, lead, and paint. This was an example of "unfair taxation without proper representation" -
Boston Massacre
As the presence of British soldiers becomes increasingly unwelcome in Boston, a mob attacks a squandron of soldiers. In retaliation, the soldiers shoot at random into the crowd, killing five people and injuring six. This sends a wave of anger in American colonists against Britain, only farther encourging independence. -
Boston Tea Party
In rebellion of the heavy taxation of imported tea, Massachusets citizens dressed as Indians, climbed aboard an importing ship, and dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor. -
First Continental Congress Meets
The First Continental Congress meet in Philadelphia with 56 members representing every colony with the exception of Georgia. Members include George Washington, John Hancock, Sam Adams, and Patrick Henry. They meet from September 5th to October 26th. -
Paul Revere's Ride
In fear of the British response to destroy the colonist's military supplies held in Concord, a force of 700 British soldiers march there. Paul Revere and William Dawes ride out that night to warn the colonists of the attack. Revere reaches Lexington about midnight, and is able to warn John Hancock and Sam Adams. The conflict during this night becomes the "shot heard around the world" that begins the American Revolution. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill at Boston is the first major fight between the American forces and the British soldiers. In order to save precious supplies, the American milita is told not to fire until they can see "the whites of their eyes". The British troops win the battle, but at the cost of losing half of their troops, while American colonists only suffer a causalty of 400 soldiers. -
"Common Sense" Is Published
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" is first published. The pamphlet is highly critical of King George and his tyranny, while strongly supporting American Independence. It becomes an instant best-seller. -
America Declares Independence
On this day, the Second Continental Congress officially informs the world that they declare independence from the tyranny that is Great Britain. -
Washington Crosses the Delaware
On the night of Christmas, Washington and his troops recross the frozen Delaware River to launch a surprise raid on 1500 Hessians (German mercanaries) camped in Trenton, New Jersey. Only after an hour of fighting and 6 Americans wounded, Washington and his men defeat and capture the remaining 1000 Hessians. -
England Gives Up
England officially declares an end to all hostilities in America -
The Treaty of Paris is Signed
To declare the American Revolution over, Britain and the United States sign the Treaty of Paris, Britain finally regconizes the U.S as an independent country and removes all troops. -
House of Burgesses Declares Freedom
In Virginia, the House of Burgesses grants freedom to any slaves that fought in the Continental Army -
