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Navigation laws
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. -
Treaty of Paris 1763
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. -
Proclamation of 1763
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. -
Sugar Act
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. -
Quartering Act
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. -
Stamp Act
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. -
Declaratory Act
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. -
Townshend Acts
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. -
Boston Massacre
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. -
Boston Tea Party
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. -
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. -
First Continental Congress
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. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
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. -
Battle at Bunker Hill (Breed's Hill)
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. -
Battle of Quebec
Quebec was the first major defeat for the Americans in the Revolutionary War. A win would have guaranteed support for their cause in Canada. -
Second Continental Congress
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. -
Declaration of Independence
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. -
Battle of Trenton
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. -
Battle of Saratoga
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. -
Battle of Yorktown
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. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
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.
