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Period: to
Revolution
These are the events of the struggles America faced in an attempted to gain independence from Britain. -
The French and Indian War
This war was fought between the British, and the French and Indians of North America. The British won the war, the right to keep Canada, and many other items in the New World. This brought conflict between America and the British because the colonies did not want to pay inflated taxes to support the cost of war. -
The Sugar Act
This act placed a three-cent tax on foreign refined sugar, as well as increasing the taxes on coffee, indigo, and specified types of wine, also banning the importation of rum and French wines. While the taxes only affected a piece of the colony population, it caused an uproar of colonists whom believed they should have a say in the amount that they are taxed. As a result of this, Britain enforced taxation on the colonies to ensure that they would receive their payments. -
The Stamp Act
This was the first British tax that had been directly placed on the American colonies, and it caused the majority of common documents to require a stamp, which of course cost money. American colonies had very negative feelings towards this tax, therefor responded with violence. British, seeing these forceful acts, repealed the Stamp Act. -
The Stamp Act Congress
After the repeal of The Stamp Act, and all of America’s forceful actions towards Britain, the British passed the Declaratory Act in which stated that British had the final say in whatever American colonies wanted. This act caused the Sons of Liberty group to form, targeting their anger specifically at the Act. -
Townshend Acts
These were a series of Laws passed by Britain that required the American colonies to pay taxes on glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea. As usual, American Colonies reacted very negatively towards these taxes, and took forceful actions. Due to our violent protests against these taxes, Britain took away all of the taxes they had previously made, except for the tax on tea. -
The Boston Massacre
This was the day that the British had shot and killed five American colonists. On both sides of the people, the story of what happened had been very distorted in one side or the others’ favor. This event only increased American colonies’ negative feelings towards the British military. -
The Boston Tea Party
After the Stamp Act placed a tax on tea, American colonists came together in a group named the Sons of Liberty. In an act against the British, these men assumed the look of Native Americans, boarded the british ships carrying tea, then proceeded to throw 342 crates of tea into the harbor. Following this event would be similar events repeated in other colonies until tea was finally boycotted in all the American colonies. -
The First Continental Congress
This was composed of groups of people from all of the colonies, excluding Georgia, whom held a secret meeting in Philadelphia, September, 1774. Secrecy was required because the Americans did not want Britain to know that the colonies were coming together. These men in The First Continental Congress discussed how the Intolerable Acts should be reacted to as a whole. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
This was the day the British troops had marched through Lexington and towards Concord, in an attempt to retrieve the weapons hidden in Concord.
As the British made their way through Lexington, the American troops and the British troops began to fire upon each other. Although the Americans had to retreat from this battle, the advancement of the British troops was severely slowed down to the point where when the British reached Concord, Americans, in bulk, were waiting for the British. -
The Second Continental Congress
After the Revolutionary war had begun, the same men from The First Continental Congress met once again. For the American Colonies, not much was going well, and they had very unorganised military. Working through that summer, the Continental Congress designated George Washington as the commander-in-chief, gave birth to the Continental Army, and created the Declaration of Independance, the Marine Corps, and the Articles of Confederation. -
George Washington Named Commander in Chief
Due to George Washington’s experience and reputation, we was elected as the Commander-in-Chief of the continental army. With Washington’s tactics of surprise during the war, his army pushed back the Britain troops to New York, where they would spend the winter. This action increased moral in the army and saved the whole cause of the American Revolution, keeping the fight for independence alive. -
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" Published
This book was instantly a best seller, containing arguments supporting independence and democracy supported by quotes from the bible. While Paine was not a religious man, supporting his thoughts with biblical ideals helped gain support for the idea of independence from those whom wanted not to be independent. “Common Sense” inspired the colonies to fight for independence, and helped separate America from Britain by increasing support for the idea of independence. -
The British Evacuate Boston
Lead by George Washington, soldiers were brought to Dorchester Heights where they begun to build fortifications. Covering up the sound of construction they bombarded the city’s outskirts. While the British planned of destroying the American fortifications, a storm rolled in and caused colonists to finish building. Realising they were defenseless, the British troops fled, ending their eight-year vacancy in Dorchester Heights. This incredible feat increased the American support for independence. -
Richard Henry Lee Proposes Independence
Richard was a delegate to The First Continental Congress. However, at The Second Continental Congress, Richard pushed forward the idea of declaring independence from Britain. He stated, “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” He helped seperate America from Britain. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
After the bombardment of bombs on the fortifications the colonists made on Bunker Hill, the British took to the land and began to advance towards the colonists’ fortifications. Using the element of surprise, the colonists opened fire on the British whom were not-at-all prepared for it, killing 226 and wounding 928. While the British won this battle, nearly 10% of their troops were killed, this caused colonists to see that Britain was not invincible causing men to join the fight for independence. -
Declaration of Independence Adopted
Adopting the Declaration of Independence meant that colonists were declaring themselves as independent states, therefore no longer under the order of Britain. Free from Britain’s leadership, America was able to form an official pact with France, and obtain their help in the War. Trading between France and America brought more ammunition, and many more soldiers that sealed Britain’s fate. -
Declaration of Independence Signed
Fifty six delegates of the colonies signed this extremely important document. In doing so, it was finalised that America was completely severed from Britain, and therefore officially an independent country. This document also officially declared war against Britain. In the end, this document gave birth to the basis for our country, and is symbolic of our fight and succession for Independence.
