The American Revolution

The Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

Passed by the British Parliament. The tax put on all American colonists had them pay a tax on every peice of printed paper they used. This includes licenses, newspapers, and even playing cards.

Protest of the Stamp Act

Oct 19, 1765

The colonists created the Stamp Act Congress to say what they do not like about the Stamp Act. They came up with the slogan "No taxation without representation!"

Gaspee Affair

Jun 9, 1772

150 colonists got mad and burned the ship, the Gaspee. That made the British angry so they sent a group of people to check things out and gave the right to take suspects to England for trial.

British Pulled out of Virginia

Jun 20, 1773

Patriot troops attacked and defeated Virginian governor Dunmare's troops near Norfolk, Vigrinia. British then pulled their soldiers out of Virginia leaving the patriots in control.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Group of men called the "Sons of Liberty" went to the Boston Harbor dressed as mohawk indians. They boarded three British Ships and dumped fourty-five tons of tea into the harbor.

Coersive Acts

Mar 31, 1774

Also called the Intolerable Acts. included many acts. The Boston Port Act is what started it on March 31st, it made it so that the Harbor in Boston was shut down. The Massachusetts Government Act regulated the government of the province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England. The Quartering Act had colonists housing troops.

Quebec Act

Jun 22, 1774

Made to afford greater rights to the French citizens of Canada. A new governer and council were to be appointed to govern affairs in Quebec. Recognition was given to the Roman Catholic church in Quebec. French civil code was also recognized. The administrative boundries of Quebec were extended.

First Continental Congess

Sep 5, 1774

All of the colonies except Georgia sent delegates to meet and think of ideas. The delegates were elected by the people, colonial legislatures, or by the committees of correspondence of the respective colonies.

Paul Revere's Ride

Apr 18, 1775

Paul rode to Lexington, Massachusetts to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that British troops were coming to arrest them. On his ride on his horse, he stopped at country-side houses to alarm them that the British were coming.

Battle of Lexington and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

British troops were sent to Concord to capture John Hancock and Sam Adams. The British killed many poeple but they found out that John and Sam had escaped so they mached from Lexington to Concord and another fight happened there.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

Made the militia as the Continental Army to represent the thirteen states. Another thing that occured was that George Washington was elected as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.

George Washington Appointed General

Jun 16, 1775

Was nominated by John Adams of Massachusetts to be general and commander-in-cheif. He was then voted as the General of the Revolutionary War.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 17, 1775

The patriots heard the British were going to attack Bunker Hill so they sent 1600 men to set up fortifications on Breed's Hill. General Howe led 2600 British soldiers up Breed's Hill. The Americans were forced to retreat on their third charge, the British gained control of Breed's Hill.

Olive Branch Petition

Jul 5, 1775

Was made to end the fighting with the British. It was a document directed to George II personally, asking him to halt the war, take away the Coercive Acts, and bring about reconciliation.

Common Sense Published

Jan 10, 1776

Book witten by Thomas Paine. He argues for American independence. This book makes him instantly famous.

British Evacuate Boston

Mar 17, 1776

John Thomas lead 800 soldiers and 1200 workers to Dorchester heights. The British planned to use their ships to help fight against the patriots but the storm helped the patriots set up for war. British had to retreat to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

A document written by Thomas Jefferson with help from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin that explains the rights of the people of the States. On July 2nd, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted about it and then on the 4th they voted again and it was made official.

Writing of the Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, agreed upon July 2nd by the Second Continental Congress. It was sent to the printer on July 4th and all the signitures were collected in the following weeks.