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French and Indian War
The French and Indian war took place in Pennsylvania and the forks of the Ohio, Monongahela and Allegheny rivers over land rights to which the French and British both wanted.(1) British wanted this land for tobacco farming as they had depleted the soil to the east. Ultimately, the French took control of this area with the help from the native Americans, however, Britain eventually won the war. The French and Indian war ended in 1763.
1. OpenStax, U.S. History. Ch. 4 sec. 5 -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian war essentially giving Britain all of the lands France had acquired in North America including most of their lands and trading posts in Africa, India, and the West Indies making Britain the most powerful country in the world. American colonists were proud to be from Britain and were increasingly loyal to the crown. The war, however, left Britain with huge war debt(1) and they must now find a way to pay for it.- OpenStax, U.S. History. CH. 4.5
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Proclamation Line 1763
The proclamation line was established by Britain as a boundary line to stop the colonists from expanding west. It started just north of Mass. all the way south to Georgia along the Appalachian Mountains. The line was for safety from native Americans who, during Pontiac's war, had killed 2000 settlers(1), and as a cost saving effort since Britain could not afford another war or westward expansion.- UTA History Department, "Toward Revolution"
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The Stamp Act
Britain imposed this as a way to create revenue to help pay the war debt. This act imposed a revenue tax in the form of a stamp on almost all paper goods imported to the American Colonies. Colonists saw this as unconstitutional and formed the Sons of Liberty(1) and Daughters of Liberty. This actually helped form an allied front in the colonies as 12 of the 13 colonies sent representatives to discuss any action that should be taken towards Britain.
1. UTA History Department, "Towards Revolution" -
The Quartering Act
In the wake of the French and Indian war, 'Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny"(1), kept soldiers armed and in the colonies. The Quartering act insisted colonists house, feed, etc the soldiers. Many colonists felt uneasy with their presence and almost every colony refused to comply.(2)- Thomas Paine, "These are the Times that Try Men's Souls" The Crisis, No. 1 from the Library of Congress website. 1776
- OpenStax, U.S. History. ch.5.2
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The Declaration of Independence 1776
The Declaration of Independence was written in response to Britain's increasing demands and armed presence in the colonies. The signing of the Declaration of Independence was the beginning of the Revolutionary war. The colonists felt "that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government." (1)
1. The Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) -
Battle of Saratoga
This was the turning point in the Revolutionary war for the colonists(1). Winning this battle, the colonies proved to France that they could be taken seriously and were a legitimate threat to Britain. France then decided to send reinforcements of troops, money, leaders and ships to help the colonists ultimately defeat the British. ( French was still mad about losing everything to Britain during the French and Indian war so they were glad to help.)
1. OpenStax, U.S. History. ch.6.2 -
Treat of Paris of 1783
The Treaty of Paris was signed by Great Britain and the United States and marked the end of the Revolutionary war. It stated that Britain would relinquish all their territories east of the Mississippi, South of Canada and North of Florida. It also stated that the individual states would not persecute those who fought for Britain and to return any property back to them that may have been taken during the war. (1) 1.OpenStax, U.S. History. ch.6.3 -
Bill of Rights 1791
The Bill of Rights came after the Declaration of Independence to further limit the role of government in the United States as the founding fathers did not want a repeat of what happened by the British government. It comes in a form of 10 amendments still in use today. One of the most famous amendment is the 2nd that states " the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." (1)
1.James Madison, "Bill of Rights of the United States of America" 1791
