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Townshend Acts
Being deep in debt from the Seven Years' War, the British needed a new source of income. They decided to impose a series of taxes on the American colonists. This made the colonists very angry, but not much was done until after the Tea Act. -
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American Revolution
The American people revolting against the powerful British. -
Tea Act
The British created this act to get rid of surplus and unsold tea that the British East Indies Trading Company held, and to make more money. It placed extra taxes on the tea being sold to the Americans. This tipped them over the edge, from already being angry about the Townshend Acts to being irate about these. These acts started the Revolution. -
Boston Tea Party
This was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty on the taxes that thee British imposed on their tea. They threw all of the tea off of boats, effectively destoying them. This was an act of defiance against the British, showing that they would not allow them to tax the colonists any more. -
First Continental Congress Established
Although it was overall a failure, the First Continental Congress was a great step forwards for the people. They had delegates meet together to decide what should be done about the Intolerable Acts. In the end, they decided to petition to the british government, which failed. -
Declaration of Independance
The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. This was signed after the war had already started. -
Saratoga Campaign
The British had a plan to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies at the Hudson River. However, the Continentals caught word of this plan and met them before they reached the river and set up. The British were forced to surrender. THis is considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War. -
French sign Treaty of Alliance with America
Officially known as the Franco-American Treaty, this treaty stated that France would assist America in te case that Britain attacked, until 1800. This meant that France began sending troops over to America to help fight against the British. -
United States ratifies the Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris not only ended the French and Indian War, but it also ended the Revolutionary War, too. It stated that Great Britain understood that America was now a free country and all British troops were to be removed. It also set new boundaries for the new nation. -
French Revolution (For Haiti)
The French Revolution helped inspire the Haitians. They were opressed by their home country, France, and forced into slavery. Seeing their adopted country revolt amongs themselves, they found inspiration to go revolt against their adopted country. -
Meeting of the Estates General
A meeting of the Estates General was called by Louis XVI in Versailles to discuss and approve the new tax plan. This plan was what pushed the French people over the edge. They had no money from the beginning, and new taxes would push them further down into poverty and give them a terrible life. It was around this time that the people of France started plotting a revolt. -
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French Revolution
The revolution of the French people against their government. -
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Haitian Revolution
Haiti's struggle against France to be recognized as independent. -
National Assembly is created
Some members of the Third Estate gathered and called themselves the National Assembly. Their goal was to create a new constitution that gave more power to the people. This gathering and creation inspired the people to storm the Bastille and rebel against the nobility and the clergy of France. Three days later they make an oath on a tennis court to not leave the area until they create a new constitution that gives more power to the people. -
Storming of the Bastille
This was more of a symbolic victory than an actual military victory for the revolutionaries, and it was the first major action the the people did, starting the French Revolution. -
Slaves gather and initiate the revolution
It all began with some voodoo. The Haitians believed in the power of voodoo and jump started their fight against slavery with it. Dutty Boukman hosted the ritual and the revolution against slavery began. This was their first organized group and their first step towards freedom. -
Louis XVI sentenced to the guillotine
His being beheaded marked the victory of the revolutionaries, ending the terrible things that Louis had done to the people. -
Start of the Reign of Terror
Start of the Reign of Terror. Revolutionary leaders began mass killing on the nobility and everybody related to the oppression that the people had faced. About 17,000 people were sentenced to death, and the period lasted for almost a year. -
Touissant puts forth a constitution
In 1801 Touissaint Louverture put forth his constitution and marked the beginning of the War of Independence. The rest is history.
1803 - Congress of Arcahaie : Haitian blue flag adopted, and independence is declared. They Haitians split with their adopted country, France, though France would not accept their independence until 1838. -
Battle of Vertières
The Battle of Vertières is the last victory for the Haitians over France. From this point on, France is completely cut off from entering Haiti.
January 1804 - Remaining colonists massacred. Haiti makes a statement and kills every French colonist left. The colonists were a symbol of their oppression and slavery. This was their entrance into a freedom from slavery and independence. -
The Congress of Vienna
The main countries negotiating here were the British, French, Russians, and Austrians. The purpose was to even out the power in Europe and undo what Napoleon had done to Europe. -
France recognizes Haitian independence
After several campaigns to free other colonies from slavery, Haiti returns home and asks again for France to recognize their independence. They approve this and they are officially recognized as independent.
