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French Indian war
This was the first colonial war that was fought in America. It was the "official" begginings of the conflicts between the colonies and Great Britain, The colonies wanted to create a small militia to fight against the French but were declined by George II -
The Albany Congress
This was a meeting bewteen the colonies and 150 Iroquois cheifs. There were two goals of this meeting which occured in Albany, New York. The first was to make sure the colonists had the support and cooperation of the Indians to help against the French forces. The second thing was to form a colonial alliance. -
The Sugar Act
This was an act passsed by the British Parliment to raise taxes on certain imporeted goods to the colonies that were not from Britain. Not only did they raise taxes, they increased the amount of soldiers in the colonies basically forcing the colonists to pay these high taxes on the goods from other countries. Because these taxes were so high, the thought of the parliment was that it would make the colonists have to buy their goods. This upset many of the colonists. -
The Stamp Act
Was the first serious attempt to create governmantal authority in the colonies. This was also an attempt to reduce the national debt of Briatin because of the Seven Years War. -
The Boston Massacre
Originally started as a street fight between a group of patriots and a small number of British soldiers. They patriots were throeing chunks of snow and ice at these soldiers. These actions continued and a British general called in more troops who were also attacked. Then the soldiers started firing their guns into the crowd of patriots killing a total of 5 people and wounding others. This angered the colonists very much. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was when alot of the colonists dressed up as Native Americans. These "Native Americans" raided a British ship loaded with cargo. Among that cargo were barrels and barrels of tea. The colonists took these barrels and started throwing them over the side of the ship into the Boston harbor. This was in protest of the Tea Act that was placed on the colonist by the British parliment. -
"Shot Heard 'round the World"
This was the official beginning to the revolutionary war. It occured at Lexington and Concord. It was between the Minutemen (a group of patriotic colonists that wanted to rebel against the British) and the Redcoats (the british soldiers). -
Geaorge Washington
George Washington was named Commander in Chief for the colonial army. -
"Common Sense"
Thomas Paine published his soon to be famous newspaper article titled "Common Sense". This article was questioned and challenged the Bristish authority over teh colonists. Was the first written wor to openly ask for inderpendence from Britain. -
Crossing the Delaware
George Washington led his soldiers in the middle of the night in freezing temperatures across the Delaware river in order to surprise attack the Brittish Ssoldiers. Evenutally he made them surrender. -
Valley Forge
Washingtons troops retire at Valley Forge for the winter quarters. Many of the soldiers were very cold, hungry and were dead tired. But later on the the war, this serve to be a pivital battle. -
French Alliance
On this day, the colonists and the French created the "French Alliance". This agreement stated two things. First it provided defensive aid to the French if the English chose to attack them. Second it was that neither the French or the Colonists would make peace with Britain until Americas independence was recognized. -
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Fighting Continued
During this time, the war raged on. There were many small battles that took place during these years. Many of them, the americans won but also the British had their fair share of victories. -
Articles of Confederation
On this day, The colonists adopted the Articles of Confederation. -
Cornwallis Surrenders
General Cronwallis of the British army, surrounded by land and by sea, surrendered at Yorktown, New York -
British and Americans sign temperary Peace Treaty
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Constitution is Signed
This is when all of the major leaders of the colonies including George Washingotn and others came together and signed the Constitution.
