-
Period: to
Events pertaining to Revolutionary War
National Archives All photos from National Archives -
Proclamation of 1763
This Royal Proclamation by King George III limited westward expansion of the colonies. This angered the colonists. -
Stamp act passed
First tax on the colonists. It taxed legal documents, newpapers and playing cards. It was protest and later repealed. -
Townshend Revenue Act
Taxes on glass, paint, lead, tea and paper to raise money for Britian to oversee the colonies. -
British troops occupy Boston.
Troops sent to enforce Townshend duties and stop rebellion. -
Boston Massacre
Patriot mob attack British soldiers who then fire into the crowd. 5 die.
Also on this day Townshend duties reprealed exept tax on tea. -
Tea Act Passed
This act was passed to keep the British East India Company from financial ruin. Colonists called for a tea boycott. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists dressed as Native Americans threw chests of tea overboard ship in Boston Harbor. -
Intolerable Acts passed in Britain
From March to June Britian passed several acts to punish the colonies. They are the Coercive Acts but were called the "Interolerable Acts" by the colonists. They close the port of Boston and require colonists to house British troops in taverns or empty buildings. -
First Continental Congress
Met from Sept 5 to October 26 in Philadelphia. -
First shots of war fired at Lexington & Concord, Mass
British were to capture rebel leaders John Hancock and Sam Adams and also capture gunpower. They failed. -
Second Continental Congress
Formed the Continental Army and made George Washington the commander. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Colonial soldiers kill or wound 1000 out of 2200 British soldiers at Breed's hill overlooking Boston. First major battle of war. -
Approval of Declaration of Independence
Colonies declare independence from Great Britain. -
Battle of Long Island
British win and Colonials escape at night. -
British occupy New York City
30,000 British and Hessian soldiers arrived in New York Harbor in the summer of 1776. -
Washington captures Trenton
The army crosses the Delaware River Christmas night and catches the British unaware. -
British occupy Philadelphia
The British army spends the winter in warmth and comfort. -
Battle of Saratoga
British troops loose battle and 6,000 surrender. Turning point of the war. -
Washingon's Army spends winter at Valley Forge
The army was freezing, starving and half-dressed. It was a low point for the Colonial Army. -
Americans and French form Alliance
France allies itself with America and will bring financial and military aid. -
Surrender of British Army at Yorktown
British commander Lord Cornwallis surrendered his forces from September to October. -
Signing of Treaty of Paris
Britian officially recognized American Independence.
