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The French and Indian War
The French and the Indians fought against the British for land. The British tried and failed to take Fort Duquesne and Fort Ticonderoga. They did end up capturing Lousibourg and Fort Frontenanc. Most of the Indian tribes sided with the French, however, the Iroquois ended up siding with the British in the end.Why did it happen?: The French wanted more land so they could connect the Mississippi River and Louisiana. However, the British also wanted more land. -
Proclamation of 1763
British government banned the settlement of land west of a line drawn along the Appalachian Mountains. Those already settled were forced to move.Why did it happen?: The British issued the Proclamation of 1763 to avoid any future conflicts with the Native Americans.Colonists did not like the Proclamation of 1763. Many colonists believed it was their right to settle where they please.Because the colonists ignored the Proclamation, it was difficult to enforce. -
Quartering Act
British soldiers were allowed to live in warehouses, taverns, inns, and private homes. Families had to provide the soldiers with food and adequate living space. The British wanted to save money, so they could better fund their army. Colonists protested, saying Parliament was violating their rights. -
Stamp Act
Parliament required that deeds, almanacs, newspapers, advertisements, playing cards, and other things bare an official stamp. The stamp costed the colonists more money. The money was supposed to pay for the colonists part of the war. The act was labeled by the Virginia House of Burgesses as "Taxation without representation." -
Writs of Assistance
The writs of assistance allowed officials to search colonists and their belongins without saying why. Writs of assistance was put into action to help customs officers find illegal goods. To the colonists, the writs of assistance was seen as a violation of their rights. -
Boston Massacre
A group of angry workers and sailors enclosed a few british soldiers. Rocks and snowballs were thrown at the soldiers. The soldiers fired into the crowd, out of fright, wounded six colonists, and killed five.The colonists viewed it as a brutal, unjust attack on their people.The british saw it as more proof that the colonists are routy and ungrateful. The nine soldiers were arrested and tried for murder. Two soldiers were convicted. Their thumbs were branded as punishment. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of colonists disguised themselves as Native Americans and boarded the tea ships. They dumped the tea into the harbor, destroying 90,000 pounds of tea. The price of tea was lowered, giving the East India Company a monopoly.The British were enraged. The King decided the colonists need punishment. -
Intolerable Acts
Parliament passed four laws. First act closed the Boston Port. Two other acts increased the royal governors power, ended the upper house of the Massachusettes legistlature, and abolished the powers of town meetings. The fourth act strengthened the Quartering Act. The Intolerable Acts were put into place because King George III wanted to make examples of the people from Boston and Massachusettes. Congress demanded the repeal of the Intolerable Acts. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was sent to King George III and it stated that colonists were loyal to the king and asked the King to end the fighting so they could resolve all the disputes peacefully. Delegates from the Continental wanted to end the fighting and believed things could be resolved peacefully. Congress then passed the Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms. -
Common Sense
Common Sense is a 50 page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. He "ridiculed the very idea of rule by kings." He believed Americans would do better without a King. Common Sense inspired colonists to rebel and brought hope. -
Declaration of Independance
The Declaration of Independance declared to the British that the 13 colonies were now free from the rule of King George III. The Second Continental Congress all signed the Declaration of Independance. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Americans surrounded the British in Saratoga, New York. The British surrendered October 17, 1777. This victory ended the threat to New England by the british. The British no longer had hopes of an easy victory. -
Battle of Cowpens
A small American Militia force fired 3 shots at the Battle of Cowpens. The British rushed forward and was met with charging calvaray and skillful riflemen. It was a clear victory for the colonists. -
Battle of Yorktown
Lord Cornwallis led his British army into Yorktown, VA. However the French blocked escape by water and the Americans blocked escape by land. After three weeks, the British surrendered. This was the final battle, the colonists had won independance. -
Treaty of Paris
Britain finally recognizes America's Independance, boundries are set, War is officially over. Unites States highly recommended states restore the Loyalists property, however, most states ignored this "recommnedation."
