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The French and the British were fighting over control of the Ohio River Valley. The war lasted 9 years, and cost the British a lot of money. The British won, but were in significant debt. In order to pay off the debt, they start taxing the colonies and the crown. -
The Stamp act in 1765 was the first internal tax placed on American colonists by the British Parliament. The British were in debt because the French and Indian war, caused the British to place taxes on the North American colonies to pay for their debts. The colonist did not agree with the taxing and said it was unconstitutional and protested against it. the colonists resisted the taxes so much that the British government couldn't bring the Stamp act into effect. -
The Quartering Act, passed by the British Parliament in 1765 and renewed in 1774, was a law that required Colonists to provide housing and supplies for British soldiers stationed in their towns. The act allowed British military commanders to quarter soldiers in vacant buildings, private homes, barns, etc, without the owners' consent. Colonists opposed the Quartering Act, seeing it as an violation of their rights, an attempt to exert British control over their lives and properties. -
The Townshend Act in 1767, was a British law that imposed taxes on goods such as glass, paint, paper, and tea imported into the Colonies.The Townshend Act was met with resistance, as colonists argued that, it violated their rights and was unconstitutional as British subjects and imposed taxation without representation. The tensions made by the Townshend Act contributed to the escalation of colonial unrest, finally paving the way for the American Revolution. -
The Boston Massacre, took place on March 5, 1770, was a deadly fight between British soldiers and Colonists in Boston, Massachusetts, five civilians killed and injured several others. A confrontation between a crowd of protesters and a group of British soldiers on King Street escalated into violence, resulting in the soldiers firing into the crowd. Paul Revere used it to create opposition to British rule and pave the way for the American Revolution. -
On December 16, 1773, American colonists disguised as Native Americans boarded British ships in Boston Harbor and dumped hundreds of chests of tea into the water, making the Boston Tea Party protest against British taxation and trade policies.The British Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts in 1774, laws designed to punish Massachusetts and reassert British authority. The Intolerable Acts closed Boston Harbor, dissolved the Massachusetts colonial government, further causing colonial resistance -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord, fought on April 19, 1775, marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, as British troops clashed with colonial militiamen in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. British forces, seeking to seize colonial arms and supplies, were met with resistance from the Lexington military, resulting in the famous "shot heard round the world". The colonists repelled the British at Concord's Old North Bridge, forcing the British to retreat back to Boston. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill, fought on June 17, 1775, in which British forces captured Breed's Hill in Boston, Massachusetts. Although the British won the battle, they suffered heavy casualties, while the colonists, outnumbered, inflicted significant losses. The battle demonstrated the determination of American forces, and though defeated, retaining control of nearby Cambridge. The excessive British casualties made the victory not worth it. -
The Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, formally declared the 13 American colonies' separation from Great Britain and established the United States as a independent nation. The document asserted the colonies' right to self-governance and proclaimed the fundamental principles of equality, liberty, and democracy. Signed by 56 individuals, the Declaration of Independence has endured as a foundational document of American history. -
American forces led by George Washington launched surprise attacks on Hessian forces stationed in Trenton, New Jersey, on December 26, 1776, capturing over 900 soldiers. Following up on this victory, Washington's troops defeated British reinforcements at the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777, showing American military capabilities. The successes at Trenton and Princeton marked a crucial turning point in the American Revolution, setting the stage for the eventual defeat of British forces. -
The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, officially ended the American Revolutionary War, recognizing the independence of the United States from Great Britain. The treaty marked Britain's formal acknowledgment of American independence, with King George 3 renouncing claims to the colonies, acknowledging the United States a sovereign state. The Treaty of Paris not only concluded the Revolutionary War but also paved the way for the United States to take its place among the world's nations.