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French and Indian War
The war was between France and Britan fighting over land. The British wanted to expand their land. The colonists wanted to expand as well like the British. -
Teaty Of Paris
Britain claimed all the land east of Mississippi River. The war was costly. The colonists began to settle in the Ohio River Valley. Native Americans responded by attacking the colonists. -
Proclamation of 1763
British didn't allow colonists to settle west of the Appalachians. They sent troops to protect and Prevent settlers from crossing the line. The British government got angry that the colonists didn't want to pay for protection. It was the 1st time the colonists had hostility towards mother England. -
Sugar Act
British wanted tax on sugar and molasses. It didn't affect many, but the idea of taxes was a growing issue. British wanted to pay for the war. -
Stamp Act
They had tax on legal documents (basically every piece of paper used). The British wanted to get/raise more money. The Stamp Act congress formed to organize boycott. -
Writs of Assistance
Custom officers could search ships at will. The British were looking in ships for money and other stuff. Few colonists were affected, but merchants felt this was an invasion of privacy. -
Townshed Act
They had tax on household items such as paper, glass, lead, silk and tea. Colonists boycott through the non-importation agreement. It eventually repealed. -
Boston Massacre
A rioting mob confronted British soldiers at Boston Customs House. Tensions rose and shots were firedinto the crowd, killing five colonists. Sam Adams used the opportunity to whip up anti-British feeling by calling the event a “massacre”.
Two soldiers were found guilty of manslaughter, six were found not guilty. -
Quartering Act
The colonist had to provide food, housing, blankets, candles, ect. for the British soldiers. This was hated, but little could be done. -
Tea Act
Tea merchants in the colonies were cut out of the tea trade because the British East India Company lowered their tea prices. The company monopolized, or controlled, tea sales in the colonies. The result was the Boston tea party. -
Boston Tea Party
On December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty dumped 90,000 pounds of tea into Boston Harbor. The result was the Intolerable Acts. -
Intolerable Acts
Colonists could not hold town meetings. The Port of Boston closed. Customs officials tried in Britain. The First Continental Congress meets. Individual colonies began to unify. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. All colonies, except Georgia sent delegates. Delegates agreed to ban all trade with Britain until Acts were repealed. Each colony was also called on to begin training troops. Important because while delegates were not ready to call for independence, they were determined to uphold colonial rights. -
"Give Me Liberty" Speech
Britain held firm on the Tolerable Acts and even increased restrictions on colonial trade and sent more troops. Colonial Troops continued to train. Many thought a fight would be a short show of force to make Britain change its policies. Patrick Henry expected a war. He gave his famous speech at the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1775 and spoke the words, -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
70militiamen were there.British told Americans to drop their muskets & they refused.No one knows who shot first, but after a few minutes 8militiamen were dead.British went to Concord, destroyed military supplies & engaged in a battle where they were forced to retreat.4000minutemen & militiamen lined the road from Concord to Lexington & shot at the “redcoats” as they returned to Boston.Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem coined the phrase “shot heard around the world”of the 1st shots of the Revolution. -
Second Continental Congress and Fort Ticonderoga
The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. Members included John and Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Patrick Henry. They agreed to form the Continental Army and George Washington was chosen as the commanding general. Congress authorized the printing of money to pay troops-it was beginning to act like a government. Americans attacked Britain in New York, captured Fort Ticonderoga and its large supply of artillery. -
Bunker Hill
Militia had built fortifications so the British attacked. Militia waited on the top of the hill and were ordered, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” Battle ensued, but the militia were forced off the hill. British won, but suffered more than 1400 deaths and casualties. -
Common Sense Published
Thomas Paine was an Englishman living in the colonies.
He believed it was ridiculous for America to be governed by an island across a vast ocean. He felt there were plenty of markets outside of Britain for colonial goods. Published Common Sense in 1776 and “the call for Independence became a roar”. Common Sense increased public support for American independence. -
Battle of New York
The British wanted to capture New York City, the center of the Colonial economy.British attacked Washington’s army on Long Island and inflicted heavy casualties. Washington avoided capture and retreated into Pennsylvania.The British will occupy New York City for the rest of the war. Washington was humiliated by the loss. -
Declaration of Independence
June 1776, the Continental Congress debated the “free and independent states” resolution calling for complete break from Britain. They formed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence. They chose Thomas Jefferson to compose the document. 2 weeks later on July 4, 1776, he completed most of it, the resolution was presented again. It passed & independence was declared. It's based on the philosophy of John Locke & his idea that people have unalienable rights that government can't take away. -
Battle of Trenton
Washington launched a surprise attack crossing the frozen Delaware River. He captured over 800 Hessian prisoners without losing one man. Hessian was a German soldier hired by the British. -
Battle of Princeton
Washington captures another 300 British soldiers at Princeton New Jersey. Washington would go on to lose the Battles of Brandywine and Germantow outside of Philadelphia and the British will stay the winter occupying the city of Philadelphia. -
Battle of Saratoga
British General Burgoyne planned to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. Daniel Morgan and the colonist had another idea.American General Horatio Gates surrounded Burgoyne’s remaining forces at Saratoga New York. Burgoyne surrendered his entire army to the Americans. Saratoga was a turning point in the war. Benjamin Franklin would help negotiate Treaty of Alliance with France and Spain. -
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Winter at Valley Forge
Washington and his men spent the long cold winter of 1777-1778 in Valley Forge Pennsylvania. The American troops were in desperate need of food and warm clothing. French volunteer Marquis de Lafayette used his own money to help and train the Continental Army. Prussian Baron Von Steuben also taught them the essentials of military drills, tactics, and disciplines. -
Unsung Heroes (Unknown Date)
Spanish Bernardo de Galvez helped Colonists by defeating British in several battles in Louisiana & Florida.American Naval Commander John Paul Jones steered his burning ship into the British warship Serapis shouting “I have not yet begun to fight” One of Washington’s best generals,Benedict Arnold switched sides & joined the British in 1780.Arnold felt he had not received the credit he deserved.Haym Salomon was a Jewish immigrant.He played an important role in financing. He loaned over $600,000. -
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Battle of Yorktown
British General Lord Cornwallis moved his troops to Virginia.The time was right for Washington to set the ultimate trap.James Armistead (a slave) was a double spy z& gave Washington information.Washington had over 16,000 American and French soldiers ready to fight.Before he could leave, a fleet of French battleships sailed into the Bay.Cornwallis was now trapped.Washington would lead a three week attack on the British.Cornwallis surrendered on Oct 17, 1781.The Americans had won their INDEPENCE! -
Treaty of Paris
Great Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation. United States gained all land east of the Mississippi River from Canada to Florida. U.S. agreed to return all property taken from Loyalist.