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Treaty of Paris
Because of Britain's win in the seven year's war, French power in North America was over. The Treaty of Paris officially gave Britain all of North America east of the Mississippi River. It also gave the Spanish New Orleans and Louisiana. This was important because it changed who had power in North America. CITE: CREATING AMERICA, WIKIPEDIA -
Proclamation of 1763
After the Native Americans on the west side of the colonies were killed by disease, the British decided it was dangerous to be there, and it would be spendy to protect those living there. Because of this, the Proclamation of 1763 tells the colonists not to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. The colonists thought that they had earned the land by driving Native Americans away. Some were angry because they already had land there. Many ignored law.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA -
Sugar Act
After losing the French and Indian war, Britain owed a huge debt that had to be paid. The British decided to do this by placing a tax on the colonist's sugar, molasses, and other products. This was the first tax put on the colonists by Parliament. The Sugar Act angered many colonial leaders and merchants because they were being taxed by a Parliament in which they have no say.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA -
The Quartering Act
After the French and Indian war, the British were afraid of something like Pontiac's rebellion would happen again. To prevent this, they passed the Quartering Act. The act stated that the colonies had to house and provide for the British soldiers. However, many colonists felt this was an invasion of privacy. It angered colonists, but they put up with it since it was protection.
CITE: HISTORY.COM, CREATING AMERICA -
Boston Massacre
General Thomas Gage sent 1,000 British soldiers to keep colonists in Boston in line. Over time, tension grew. The redcoats were called names and insulted daily. On March 5th, 1770, the insults turned into rock throwing. In defense, the British fired at dockworkers including Crispus Attucks, a run away slave. 5 colonists were killed. John Adams defended redcoats in court. The Boston Massacre was often used against British.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA -
Tea Act
The townshend acts had finally been repealed, but Britain must show that they still have power in the colonies somehow. To do this, they kept a tax on tea in the Tea Act. Many colonists thought that it was basically over and that there was no conflict to be had. However, other colonists pushed for a boycott or some sort of way to get Britain to repeal the Tea act.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA -
Boston Tea Party
Even though many acts had been lifted, the Tea Act was still too much for the colonists. The Sons of Liberty chose a group of men to dress like Native Americans and dump tea into water. 342 chests of tea were dumped from three different ships.Colonists thought this would lead to repealment, instead Britain wanted repayment. The tentions were growning stronger between the colonies and British.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA -
Intolerable Acts
The Coercive Acts were a series of acts to punish Massachuesetts. They also seved as a warning to other colonies. These acts closed port of Boston until the tea is paid for, banned committies of correspondence, and allowed British to house troops wherever and whenever they wanted. Parliament made a British man the governor of Masseachuesetts. Other colonies supported and provided for Massachuesettes.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA, HISTORY.COM -
1st Continental Congress
In Pennsylvania, delagates from all colonies except Georgia discuss what they should do in response to the Intolerable Acts. The colonies voted to ban trade with Britain and form a militia just in case they need to protect themselves. This was the first step toward independence.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA, HISTORY.COM -
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Common Sense was a pamphlet encouraging the neutrals and loyalists to turn to patriotism. Because of the harsh treatment by the British, Thomas Paine wrote this to inspire those who had little or no faith that the colonists could stand up against the British. His pamphlet helped change beliefs and convert many loyalists and neutrals to patriotism.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
In Lexington, the Redcoats wanted to arrest John Hancock and Sam Adams. In Concord, they wanted to destroy militia's supplies. In Lexington, the British won. However, in Concord, the British were pushed back and America won. Some colonists were in favor of the British (Loyalists) and some were against the British (Patriots.) This was a big step in the Revolutionary War.
CITE; CREATING AMERICA -
2nd Continental Congress
In Philadelphia, delagates met to form a continentl army. The British were attacking and the colonies needed to push back. George Washington, from Virginia, was chosen to be the commanding general. The 2nd continental congress was a huge step toward independence.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA -
Battle of Bunker Hill
On Bunker and Breed's hill right behind Charlestown, the American militia had built fortifictions. General William Howe charged at them with his men. Britain ended up winning the battle, but at a heavy cost. Howe lost about half of his 2,200 soldiers, whereas America only lost 400 militiamen. This was a huge confidence boost in colonies. It might as well have been a win for America.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA, WIKIPEDIA -
Declaration of Independence
After Britain's harsh treatment and refusement of peace, the colonies decided they've had enough. The document was composed by Thomas Jefferson two days before it was adopted. America was officially breaking away from Britain. If they did not win the war, the men would be hung.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA -
Battle of Long Island
William Howe brought huge army of Hessian mercenaries, German mercenaries, and British soldiers who were signed up for life. The British drove Washington out of New York state through New Jersey to Pennsylvania. This was the first major battle of the war. It was a British victory with Howe losing only 400 as opposed to Washington losing over 1000 men.
CITE: HISTORY.COM, CREATING AMERICA -
Stamp Act
Along with the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act was a way that Parliament taxed colonists to help pay debt. This act required all documents to have a stamp to show that the tax had been paid. This angered colonies more than the Sugar Act. The Sons of Liberty told colonists to boycott British goods until the Stamp Act was repealed. Outraged, colonists would protest by tarring and feathering. The Stamp act was repeaeled November 1st, 1777.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA, HISTORY.COM -
The American Crisis by Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine wrote The American Crisis to encourage American soldiers to keep fighting. The war had been going on for a while and many were tired of it dragging on for so long. They were becoming unmotivated. The pamplets ended in 1783.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA -
Batle of Trenton
Washington's troops were out of supplies and in need of encouragement. Washington thought a victory would help bring up the hopes of his soldiers. Washington and his troops attacked Hessians, killing and capturing over 900 men. They also gained supplies from the men. This victory showed the British that the Americans were better than they had thought.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA -
Battles of Saratoga
Beggining with the Battle of Bennington with a New English victory, the Battles of Saratoga were a series of events resulting in an American win. The Americans tried slowing the British by building a wall. Then, Benedict Arnold and John Burgoyne had a fight on Freeman's farm. After, Arnold decides to fight British, only to be shot in the leg. In the end, Burgoyne's army travels in harsh conditions only to be surrounded by Americans. He surrendered.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA -
Winter at Valley Forge
With little supplies and harsh weather conditions, no one could say the march through Valley Forge was a pleasant time for the Americans. They only had blankets to cover themselves in the cold winter snow. Many men left the militia. Private colonists helped americans, but it was not nearly enough. Many men died of disease. The cold winter made the Americans weaker.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle of the Revolutionary war. The American and French troops foiled Cornwallis's plan by preventing them from getting supplies on the Chesapeake bay. The battle, led by George Washington, was won by Americans. Cornwallis surrendered about 8,000 men.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA -
Treaty of Paris (Revolutionary War)
The Treaty of Paris was a documented end of the Revolutionary war. The treaty stated taht America was independent, told the boarders of America, gave rights to fish off of Cnada's coast, said each side would repay debts to each other, British would give back all slaves they brought, and states would return any stolen items from loyalists. Many ignored some of these laws, but this was still an official end of the war.
CITE: CREATING AMERICA
