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The Albany Congress
Britain gathers colonial leaders in Albany NY to discuss the current war. Their hope was to form an alliance with Iroquois Indians. But they rejected the offer because they thought that Britain would lose. Ben Franklin creates the Albany Plan of Union. In this plan the council creates a group of representatives from each colony. The Albany of Congress accepts this plan but the legislatures do not. Later the Americans end up using that plan to defeat the British in the American Revolution. -
The French and Indian War 1754-1763
The French and Indian War is also known as the Seven Years’ War. At first the French were winning most of the battles therefore the Native Americans decided to join their side. In 1757 William Pitt increased Britain's fighting forces in North America. The Battle of Quebec was the last fight and the British won. After the war the 2 sides met in Paris and created the Treaty of Paris. Stating what land Britain owned. This was the last time that the French would own territory in America. -
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The French and Indian War
The French and Indian War is also known as the Seven Years’ War. At first the French were winning most of the battles therefore the Native Americans decided to join their side. In 1757 William Pitt increased Britain's fighting forces in North America. The Battle of Quebec was the last fight and the British won. After the war the 2 sides met in Paris and created the Treaty of Paris. Stating what land Britain owned. This was the last time that the French would own territory in America. -
The Treaty of Paris
The 1763 Treaty of Paris brought about the end of the French and Indian War and the Seven Years’ War, resulting in peace between Great Britain, Spain, and France. The terms of the Treaty of Paris were very harsh to France that; which was the last time the French, would ever own territory in America. All French territory on the mainland of North America was lost. The British received Quebec and the Ohio Valley. Also land from the Mississippi River. -
The Sugar Act
The British Parliament passed the sugar act in 1764. The sugar act put more taxes on sugar and molasses. This act causes smuggling through the triangle of trade. The colonists felt that these measures and others that were followed by the sugar act violated their colonial agreements and their rights as English subjects. They argued that they were being taxed by a parliament in which they had no representative. -
The Quartering Act
Again the British Parliament passed another act called the Quartering Act. This required the colonists to provide the soldiers stationed in their town with supplies such as food, water, a place to sleep and clothes. The colonists were angry by this especially by providing the act under any certain circumstances, they would have to quarter British soldiers in their homes. Protesting began throughout the colonies. -
The Stamp Act
The British Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765. The Stamp Act required the colonists to pay for stamps on all legal documents, business forms, and even newspapers. They were even taxed on dice and playing cards. The colonists react strongly to this because they believe it’s a tax on to many things. Some colonies organize a boycott on all paper products. Again the colonists argue “no representation without taxation.” This leads to many arguments across the colonies and soon the American Revo -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre took place on March 1770 in Boston, MA. Before the colonists knew that the taxes were lifted many groups of colonists continued to protest. A mob of colonists went out during the night at and started to attack the British soldiers. The soldiers opened fire. They killed 5 people. In result to this Paul Revere painted a picture, which made the British soldiers look like they were killing the colonists. The painting was not entirely accurate. What followed was a period of calm -
The Boston Tea Party
A group called the Sons of Liberty dressed up as Native Americans. Then, they boarded a British ship loaded with more than 400 chests of tea. They threw overboard 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. The colonists nearby cheered them on. They wasted $90,000 of tea. The British were outraged when they heard this, so in return the Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts. Boston was the most targeted city. Boston Harbor was closed down. Other colonies sent food and supplies. -
The Second Continental Congress
Many colonists were confused and separated after the battle at Lexington and Concord. Many New Englanders felt strongly about declaring independence for their country. But the middle and southern were still uncertain and thought reasoning could be found. Nevertheless Congress knew they needed to organize an army. In result to this many gathered around Boston, they wanted to fight. Also George Washington became their general. -
The Battle at Lexington and Concord
Britain began organizing troop to crush the colonial resistance. American Minute Men (untrained American soldiers) were alerted by the Sons of Liberty. The Minute men gathered at the Lexington town green to face the British. When the British got there someone fired but no one knows who. This shot is considered “the shot heard around the world.” It was called that because this was the start of the American Revolution and because many years after other nations were influenced by our independence. -
Battle at Bunker Hill
The patriots heard through their spies that the British were planning to attack Bunker Hill. On June 17, 1775 General Howe led 2600 British soldiers up Breed's Hill. The Americans were trying to get a strong position against the Britain armies in Boston. Both sides clashed together. The Americans held off two British charges, but were finally forced to retreat on the third charge. The British won the battle but in a heavy cost. More than 1,000 soldiers were killed or woundedduring the battle. -
The Declaratoin of Independence
The Declaration has 4 parts. The Preamble or the intro was about why they were writing the document in the first place. The second part Natural Rights, states that all men are created equal and if the people are violated by these rights they have a right to rebel. The third part The List of Grievances, lists why the colonists are mad at the King and the Parliament Ex. The Intolerable Acts, lack of trials by jury, etc. Finally the Declaration was the last part. -
Winter at Valley Forge
In the winter of 1777 - 1778, George Washington and his army struggled to survive the cold weather and snow at Valley Forge. There were terrible conditions. But they did become a stronger army as a result. For the first month the soldiers slept in tents but then they had to make cabins from scratch in the deadly winter. There wasn’t enough food for everyone; some ate leather or even clothing to stay alive. Once colonists heard about the news help came from all over. -
Battle at Yorktown
Cornwallis, a british general, moves his troops up to VA. But when he got there he was surrounded by the French Navy and British troops on land. George Washington hears that cornallis is block by the French so he moves quickly with his troops from the south. Once he got there the French and Americans started to bombard the Brtish troops. This lasts for more than several weeks. Cornwallis had no choice but to surrender . -
The Treaty of Paris
The Parliament finally decides to peace talk with the Americans. The British and the now independent Americans meet in Paris, France. The Second Continental Congress sends over John Adams and Ben Franklin and other people over. The terms of the treaty include the borders that the United States now control and that the U.S pays the loyalists back everything they owned. The reason that the peace treaty happened was because both sides of the Parliament voted to make peace with the now Independent.
