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Kentucky Long-Rifle
The Kentucy Long-Rifle was developed in 1730, and was the weapon of choice for the frontiersmen of the Early Americas. The weapon was later used in the revolutionary war for its long range, and grooved barrel (an american innovation) that spun the bullet as it left the barrel of the firearm, increasing range and accuracy (Kentucky Rifle). -
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French and Indian War/Seven Years War
Tensions were rising in the New World between the two main colonial powers in North America; France and Great Britian. These tensions eventually boiled over violently. The colonies requested permisson from the king George II to defend themself and for funding to raise armies, however the King declined the offer. He later passed legislation that made the colonies pay the debt for the war (The French & Indian War). -
The Sugar Act
The main purpose of the sugar act was to reduce taxes, however taxes paid to Britain actaully increased due to the increased military prescence of the English. For example, article XI. of the Sugar Act said "And it is hereby further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all the monies which, from and after the twenty ninth day of September, one thousand seven hundred and sixty four shall arise by the several rates and duties herein before granted" (Sugar Act). -
The Currency Act
The main purpose of the Currency Act of 1764 was to control how the type of currency circulating in the colonies, because British merchants did not deal in the many types of vaious currencies in the colonies. For example, in the Act it says "any paper bills, or bills of credit of any kind or denomination whatsoever....shall be null and void" (The Currency Act of 1764). -
The Boston Massacre
The presence of English Troops in Boston in 1770 was causing tensions to rise between the British and the Colonists. During a riot, 50 citizens began harassing a British Centinel, and the English Officer, Captiain Preston, gave the order to fire into the crowd (The Boston Massacre). -
The Tea Act
The Tea Act gave a monopoly to the British East-India Tea Company in the colonies. It was mainly ratified just to offer a bailout to the East India Tea company, which was hopelessly in debt at the time. This is shown in the preamble of the tea act that says "and to empower the commissioners of the treasury to grant licenses to the East India Company to export tea duty-free" (The Tea Act). This shows how Great Britian is giving an advantage to the East-India Tea Company to export tax-free. -
The Boston Tea Party
In response to the Tea Act, a group known as the "Sons of Liberty" dressed up as Native Americans to disguise themselves, and destroy over 46 tons of British East-India tea. About 18,000,000 cups of tea could have been brewed with the tax-free tea that was destroyed (Boston Tea Party Facts). -
Intolerable Acts
The Intollerable Acts were a series of oppressive laws enacted by the British onto the American Colonies in 1774. The British were no longer practicing Salutary Neglect, and after all those years the laws that the Colonies have grown so used to disobeying were now being enforced. These acts include the Boston Port Act, Administration of Justice Act, Massachusetts Government Act, the Quartering act of 1774, and the Quebec Act (The Intollerable Acts). -
First Continental Congress Meets in Philidelphia
The first Continental Congress met in Philidelphia in 1774 to discuss the Colonies' future relationship with the English. Every colony sent a representative (despite Georgia) and at the first congress, the main topic of discussion was resolution vs. secession (First Continental Congress). -
Patrick Henry Speech
This speech was a very important "call to arms" to the colonists from Partick Henry, and rallied/unified the colonies against Britain. The most notable line that echoes through history to this day, is "give me liberty, or give me death!" (Patrick Henry). -
Ride of Paul Revere
On Paul Revere's famous ride, he rode through the Lexington, Massachusetts plantations and warn the Colonists that the British were coming (Paul Revere house). -
"The Shot Heard Round the World"
"The Shot Heard Round the World" refers to the very first shot fired of the Revolutionary War at the Batlle of Lexington. No one truly knows who fired the first shot, whether it was the Minute-Men or the redcoats. The phrase "Shot Hear Round the World" was popularized by a Poem written after-the-fact by Raplh Raldo Emerson, dramatizing the event, making it seem it was the culmanation of years and years of tension being released at one moment (The Shot). -
"Common Sense" Published
"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine had a very large influence on American opinion in the colonial days. Paine looked at the idea of how the British governed the colonies, and how it was disfunctional. He also took a look at the very idea of government iteslf and whether or not it had a plce in society (Thomas Paine's Common Sense). -
Declaration of Independence Adopted
The Declaration of Independence was ratified on July 4, 1776. The United States of America is born! The ideas outlined in the declaration make up the foundation of modern democracy, such as "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" (The Declaration of Independence). -
"Turtle" Deployed
An interesting invention that came about in the Revolutionary War Era was a primative version of a submarine. The Revolutionary War saw the very first submarine attack in history, as the "Turtle" was designed to attach bombs to the bottom of British Naval vessels from the safety of the ocean. However, the first attack the submarine was used in did not go as planned and a retreat was ncessary (Connecticuthistory.org). -
Gen. Washington Crosses the Delaware
General Washington had the Continental Army Camped out on one bank of the Delware River, ready to ambush the Hessians on the other bank. He planned the attack for early on Christmas morning, however conditions were less than ideal so he moved the attack to the next day (Crossing of the Delaware). -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was the turnnig point in the war for the American colonists, as it was a rallying victory for the Colonists. Located in Saratoga, New York, and it is said that the battle even showed the French how much heart the coloinsts had, and just how a crippling defeat it was for the English (Battle of Saratoga). -
US-French Alliance
On February 6, the United States and France united forces against Great Britai. The Alliance agreement stated that France and the United States could not agree to separate peace-treaties with Great Britain (Primary Documents in American History). -
French & American Forces Capture Newport, RI
The capture of Newport was a famous victory in the collaboration of the French and the American colonists, and very important victory in terms of Future relations of the Americans and French. Also, it is a very famous example of intervention of outside nations in the pursuit of liberty for the Americans (Revolutionary War Timeline). -
Spain Declares War on Britain
When the Spanish declared war on Great Britain in 1779, it meant that the English attention was divided between the French and Americans on one continent, and the Spanish on another (Spain Declares war on England). -
French Fleet Drives British from Chesapeake Bay
The French fleet driving the British from Chesapeake Bay is another prime example of how outside nations/influences greatly contributed to the independence of the United States (Revolutionary War Timeline). -
Cornwallis Surrenders at Yorktown
The surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown was a demoralizing defeat for the British, and sent shockwaves through the English government. The surrender at Yorktown was so crucial, it led to the signing of the Treaty of Paris later in 1783 (The British Surrender at Yorktown). -
Treaty of Paris Ends War
The Treaty of Paris ended hostilities between the United States, France, and Great Britain, with America and France being the victors. The treaty called for a ceasefire between the nations, and in return Britain acknowledged the United States of America as its own independant nation (Primary Documents in American history; Treaty of Paris).
