-
The Navigation Acts were put in place to control trade between England, the colonies, and the rest of the world as well. They were a prime example of mercantilism. The colonies were only allowed to export goods on three quarters English ships which resulted in a shortage.
-
Ended the French and Indian War between Great Britain and France. The importance of this event is that it ended any foreign military threat to the British colonies in mainland North America.
-
It banned settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains out of fear of Indian attacks. This event protected colonial settlers and the Indians land, only the British government was allowed to trade or buy that land.
-
Merchants were required to pay a tax of six pence per gallon on imported sugar and molasses. The Sugar Act was the first tax imposed on the colonists by Britain, which created tension as many colonists chose to smuggle and avoid paying the fee.
-
Great Britain would house their soldiers in American barracks and public houses. American colonists resented and opposed the act, they began to question why British troops were still necessary.
-
First internal tax levied directly on American colonists, imposed a tax on all paper documents. The colonists felt so strongly about this tax that they refused to pay, they even went as far as to call a meeting of all the colonies, known as the Stamp Act Congress. There a unified protest was prepared.
-
Parliament passed the Declaratory Act to reaffirm it's right "to bind" colonies "in all cases whatsoever". Some colonists believed that this act was meant to save Britain from embarrassment after repealing the Stamp Act, that they would continue to pass unfair laws to control the colonies.
-
It was an imposed a light import duty on glass, white lead, paper, paint, and tea. The colonists viewed this tax as an abuse of power, they agreed to limit imports from Britain.
-
A street fight between the American colonists and the British. Eleven colonists were killed and/or injured. Crispus Attucks got killed first. It acted as a pre-curser and gained more support for the revolutionary cause.
-
The American colonists dumped 342 tea chests into the harbor because of the tax on tea. This act of rebellion made Britain furious and as a result they enforced the intolerable acts.
-
A series of acts created by Parliament to punish American colonists for their protests. This made the colonies furious and the colonists feathered and tarred tax collectors, it also added more fuel to the fire.
-
A meeting of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies that met in Philadelphia to redress grievances. There they made the decision to boycott all British goods, hoping Britain might repeal its intolerable acts.
-
British commander in Boston sent troops to Lexington and Concord to seize stores of gunpowder. They were the first battles of the revolution and solidified the American cause.
-
The colonists seized Breed's Hill. The British blundered bloody when they launched a frontal attack with 3,000 men. It was a significant battle because the colonists lost, but it was considered a morale victory.
-
Quebec was the first major defeat for the Americans in the Revolutionary War. A win would have guaranteed support for their cause in Canada.
-
A meeting composed of representatives from all thirteen colonies. This was the meeting where the Olive Branch Petition was made, which would later be rejected by King George. George Washington was hired to be Chief and Commander. This is also where the Declaration of Independence was signed.
-
One of the most important documents in the history of the United States, it declared the colonists free from Britain's rule. It also described the colonies coming together as a new country.
-
Washington crossed the Delaware River where he surprised and captured 1,000 Hessians. The Hessians were a huge battle force for Britain and when they were killed, Britain suffered. Trenton was a deciding battle in the war, giving the colonists confidence.
-
Saratoga is considered the turning point of the American Revolution. It was a significant win for the colonists, the surrender of British general John Burgoyne convinced France officially get involved.
-
The French and the Americans trapped General Cornwallis. Cornwallis looked to Britain for help but it didn't arrive in time, so he surrendered. Cornwallis had no chance of getting out of the trap. This battle helped the Americans win the Revolutionary War.
-
Formal end to the American Revolution, forced England to recognize the United States as independent. This treaty doubled the size of the country and established peace.
