-
French and Indian War
• The first battle of the French and Indian war was at Fort Necessity in 1754. The Virginia Governor sent George Washington to warn the French that they had to stay out of the Ohio River Valley, or else. Of course Washington got declined by the French, and once the French knew they decided to build Fort Duquesne at the head of the Ohio River. Washington decided to build Fort Necessity about 50 miles south from Four Duquesne which caused many problems with the French. -
Period: to
French and Indian War
-
Sugar Act
Britain had put tax on molasses to begin to find out who the smugglers were, and what they were doing, colonists were disrupted because this affected their normal ways of business a lot. This was one more silly taxation rule that Britain made, that affected colonists. -
Townshend Acts
• Britain now places a tax on any import including glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea! This also allowed British officials to search any colonists property for smugglers or smuggled in items. Colonists weren’t happy about this so they had started to protest and boycott taxed goods. Luckily in March 1770 Parliament repealed taxes on everything but only on tea. -
Boston Massacre
Groups of Colonists protested before they knew that the taxes were lifted. A mob of colonists surrounded and provoked a group of soldiers and the soldiers reacted by panicking and firing. John Adams agreed to defend them at their trial, and two were convicted, and were also branded on the thumb. Samuel Adams organized a group to keep others informed of events that may happen again. Hen spread pamphlets to discuss concerns and to alert them to protest, and boycott. -
The Tea Act
A tax on this tea was the last tax that was given from the 1767 Townshend Acts. In 1773 Parliament passed a new tea act. This act was meant to help the British East India Company get out of debt. This would lower the prices for colonists, but the BEIC would get more profit from it. The BEIC got an advantage by being able to choose who would be able to sell the tea from them. Many merchants continued to boycott tea as they were angry because they were cut off. -
Boston Tea Party
A shipment of tea was waiting in the Boston Harbor to be unloaded while a group of Boston residents organized by the Sons of Liberty met outside an old meeting house to debate the issue if the tea would be unloaded or not. Eventually colonists (Patriots) had to raid the ship, and they dressed up as Indians and raided the ship, by dumping over 342 chests overboard. King George the third was furious about this act of destruction and decided to punish Boston to set an example f -
Albany Congress
Britain gathers colonial leaders in Albany, NY to discuss the impending war. The British wanted the colonies to agree to cooperate in defending themselves against the French. Not all of the colonists were in agreement with Britain. -
The Intolerable Acts
1774 Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts. The port of Boston was closed until the tea that was tossed in the Boston Tea Party was paid off. The Royal Governor would have more power and the colonists could only host one town meeting per year. Anyone accused of attempting a murder or attempting to harm a British Soldier or Officer, was to be tried in Britain, this rule strengthened to Quartering Acts a lot! These acts were surely INTOLERABLE! -
Declaration of Independence
• The Declaration of Independence was made to protect people’s natural rights from being taken away. John Locke and Enlightenment thinkers say “No man is created as another.” The Declaration of Independence also states that if the government violates the person’s natural rights, the person has the right to rebel. This document really did help declare independence for Americans. -
Valley Forge
The winter at Valley Forge was truly terrible, because of its conditions. Washington’s continental army was driven from Philadelphia and spent the Winter 22 miles outside the city at Valley Forge, PA. The soldiers had diseases that spread among them, and medicine, food, and clothing lacked from the supplies. Americans helped by hearing the stories and sending help, women mostly did this as they were a very big part of it. Luckily all of the Conditions got better in the spring , but many passed -
French Alliance
• The French has been supplying money and ammunition to America even before the battle at Saratoga, because they wanted to weaken the British, and help America. In February 1778 France became the first nation to sign a treaty with the United States. France and its allies in the Netherlands and Spain also went to war with Britain, they carried the fight to the Caribbean and Europe and it helped America because the British had to spare a fewer troops to fight in North America. -
Native Americans Take Sides
• The Americans tried to keep the Native Americans neutral, by offering payments but that still didn’t work as most of them still sided with the British. The Native Americans did this because they feared that an American Victory would mean more settlers moving west or south onto Native American lands. Many tribes were divided about which side to join and they fought amongst themselves. Whole villages relocated, because they were trying to avoid the fighting, and not be involved in it. -
Bernardo de Galves
• Spain was extremely eager to regain Florida after losing it and they were surprisingly willing to help America to get it for themselves. The Louisiana Governor Bernardo de Galvez was a huge help to the Americans and to Spain. Bernardo de Galvez provided money and ammunition to the American troops in the west, and he also allowed American ships wait in the New Orleans harbor. In 1779-1781 Spain helped capture British forts along the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. -
War at Sea
• Congress had wanted to build a navy in 1775 in case there had ever been a surprise attack on the United States but progress was slow. In 1779 Joan Paul Jones the commander of the Bonhomme Richard defeated the British warship Serapis off the cost of England. Privateers helped from other countries by harassing the British trade ships during the war, this forced the British Navy to put energy into defending and protecting merchant ships. -
Washington's Farwell
• Washington and his ranking officers reunited for one last meal together on the 4th of December. In parting each man embraced Washington and replied with deep emotions, and thoughts. Washington wished to retire to his plantation. Washington was one of the best Generals around in the 1700’s and he still lives on today. Washington would soon though be called again to the Nation helped create.
