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The French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was Britain against the French and Indians. This took place from 1754-1763. Britain won this war and was able to keep possession of Canada and many other things in the New World. -
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Road to Revolution
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The Sugar Act
In 1764 the Sugar Act put a three cent tax on foreign refined sugar. It also increased taxes on indigo, coffee, and some types of wine. Along with that it banned importation of French Wine and rum. Only a part of the population was affected by this and the taxes could not be raised without the consent of the colonists. -
The Stamp Act
This was the first direct tax on American Colonists from Britain. The British made it so that every legal and public document had to have a seal or british stamp on it which costed money. The colonists were very upset about this so they made up the Stamp Act Congress. -
The Stamp Act Congress
After the colonists made the Stamp Act Congress the British took away the Stamp Act and made up a new Act that made them in charge of the colonists. This started October 7th to October 25th. -
Townshend Acts
This was a series of laws named for Charles Townshend. These laws put taxes on glass, leads, paints, paper, and tea. The British eventually repealed on all the taxes except for tea. They then sent more troops to the colonies because of violent protests. -
The Boston Massacre
Five American colonists were shot and one African American of the five was killed. After this dispute the colonists disliked the British even more. -
The Boston Tea Party
The colonists were upset with the new tax that was put on tea by the British. After the British refused to bring back 3 shiploads of tea, a group of colonists boarded the ships and dumped the tea in the Boston Harbor and destroyed it. -
The First Continental Congress
This was a convention of delegates that were called together from the thirteen colonies which then later became the government of the United States. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
These were the first shots fired between the British and American troops. The British marched to Concord where the Americans had stockpiled weapons. The Americans were forced to withdraw at first but by the time the redcoats got to Concord the Americans were waiting for them. The British were then forced to retreat. -
The Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress met when the Revolutionary war had started. Armed forces were disorganized and things were not going very good. They then created the Continental Army led by George Washington. Out of this came the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the Marines Corps. -
George Washington named Commander in Chief
First president of the United States and was a part of the British forces during the French and Indian War. He was also the commanding officer for American forces when they won the Revolutionary War. He served for two terms. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
This was a two day encounter between British forces under the command of General William Howe and also American troops under Colonel William Prescott. Americans occupied Breed’s Hill to protect the shipyard of Boston. The next day the British attacked and claimed the hill although they suffered many losses. The Americans fired until they were out of ammunition then quickly left. -
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" published
Thomas Paine was a soldier as well as a patriot. His main contribution was his writing. The pamphlets of his on Common Sense, and the Crisis, angered the American population, extending the Revolutionary cause. -
The British evacuate Boston
The british troops were forced to evacuate Boston after Washington’s successful use of cannons. -
Richard Henry Lee proposes independence
Richard Henry Lee from the state of Virginia, made the motion in the second continental congress for the 13 colonies to have freedom from Britain. -
The Decleration of Independence adopted
This was the document that declared independence of the 13 colonies from Britain. This was written by Thomas Jefferson and was put into effect on July 4, 1776. -
Decleration of Independence signed
The Declaration of Independence was signed by one representative from each of the 13 colonies. After the declaration was signed, Great Britains reaction was to continue war.
