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The French and Indian War Begins
British wanted to form an alliance with the Iroquois against the French but they refused because they expected the French to defeat British in the war. The colonists pushed French out of the Ohio River valley. This war lasted until 1763. -
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French and Indian War
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Proclamation of 1763
The British wanted to avoid wars with the Native Americans on the frontier so they issued a proclamation. The proclamation of 1763 banned the settlement of American colonists west of the Applachian Mountains. The colonists were angry believing that they should have a right to be in their territory. -
Boston Massacre
The Continental Congress and the Townshend Acts were introduced and further enraged the colonists. The Townsend Act demonstrated Parliaments right to tax the colonies on British goods. On March 1770, angry colonists, workers and sailors surrounded the soldiers. The first to fall in the name of American independence was Crispus Attucks. -
The Tea Act
The Tea Act was intended to help the British East India Company ship tea directly to the colonies. The prime minister hoped the colonists would not object to the Tea Act. Colonists were angry because they didn’t like the part of the Act that gave the BEIC a chance to choose what merchants were allowed to sell tea. Many colonists continued to boycott tea. This caused the colonists to organize the Boston Tea Party, which ultimately gave the Parliament an excuse to pass the Intolerable Acts. -
Boston Tea Party
The Sons of Liberty organized in port cities to prevent BEIC from unloading tea. The Sons threatened ship captains and colonial tea merchants who brought tea. No tea was unloaded in NY, PA or other ports. Thomas Hutchinson decided that the tea would be unloaded.On December 16, 1773 a large crowd gathered in the harbor and watched a group of men disguised as Native Americans board a ship and throw 342 cases of tea into the harbor. -
Intolerable Acts
King George III and the parliament passed four laws. One of the laws was to strengthen the Quartering Act. The Continental Congress organized a meeting to discuss what to do next in PA, Sept. and Oct. of 1774. The Congress demanded an official end and declared that the colonies had a right to tax and govern themselves. -
Shot Heard Around the World
Colonists began to arm and form new militia units called minutemen. Thomas Gage learned that the minutemen were storing the arms and captured some important colonial leaders. The troops sent out a signal sent by the patriots that appeared in the steeple of Boston’s Old North Church. Paul Revere and William James warned the minutemen and 77 minutemen waited for the British to arrive. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
American farmers and workers surrounded Boston. The British General decided to attack straight up hill. American commander, Israel Putnam, knew they didn’t have ammunition so they waited until British were only 150 ft. away. When opened fire hundreds of British soldiers were dead and wounded. The British attack failed, 1st, 2nd, and third succeeded because Americans ran out of ammunition and had to retreat. Over 1000 Brits were killed or wounded and Americans lost about 400 killed or wounded. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a piece of writing that builds on ideas of the Enlightment. It is a step-by-step logical plan to explain why colonists wanted to break British rule. It begins with an introduction saying that “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind.” It requires that Americans explain why they are breaking away from Britain. Ultimately, The Natural Rights would divide these ideas into three sections. -
Natural Rights
The Natural Rights divided the declaration into three main sections. The first part included general ideas about society and government. Thomas Jefferson stated that everyone is “endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights.” He had the same idea as John Locke the famous philosopher. Jefferson adopted Locke’s theory that governments are created in order to promise people’s rights in order to provide a reason for revolution. -
American Victory
Washington’s army captured thousands of Hessians. Most German mercenaries fought for the British. Washington’s soldiers made camp near Trenton and lit campfires. British didn’t discover their trick until main body of soldiers attacked and damaged British force near Princeton. The British general John Burgoyne planned to end the rebellion that led to the Battle of Saratoga. -
Valley Forge
Washington’s army suffered through the cruel winter of 1777 in a poorly built camp at Valley Forge in PA. More than 11,000 soldiers were not fed, clothed or housed enough. Women assisted and collected food, medicine, warm clothes and ammunition. Martha Washington,Washington’s wife, helped cure and care for the sick and wounded.The Continental army used the winter to collect strength for battles.Baron von Steuben sharpened the soldiers' skills and behavior. -
Battle of Saratoga
John Burgoyne planned to end the rebellion. He wanted to cut New England off from the rest of states. He forced Albany and New York three directions. Soon 8,000 Canadians moved south to capture forts on Lake Champlain and upper Hudson River. A smaller British army drove through Mohawk valley to Albany. General Howe led a large army up Hudson River from NYC. American forces cut off British troops coming through Mohawk Valley. This was also an American victory. -
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Battle of Saratoga
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Valley Forge
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Native Americans Take Sides
Americans offered money to Native Americans accepting to stay at peace but, most groups sided with Britain. Native Americans were worried that an American victory would mean more settlers moving west or south on their land. Indians were forced out by raids and reacted by attacking white settlements. -
Treaty of Paris
Britain recognized the independence of the U.S. They changed the boundaries of America to the east of the Atlantic, Canada on the north, the Mississippi River on the west and Florida on the south. Florida was also returned to Spain. The U.S agreed to “earnestly recommend” that the states have their rights back and property taken from Loyalists during the war. On April 15, 1783, Congress approved the treaty and the war was officially over.
