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The French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was the North American theater of the Seven Years’ War, a global conflict largely involving France and England which began in 1756. Because the colonists benefited greatly from a war fought mainly by British troops, the British began to impose taxes on the colonists to repay the war debt which created resentment and resistance that eventually erupted in the American Revolution. -
Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763, issued by King George, prevented colonists from settling West of the Appalachians. This upset colonists because they felt like they weren't being given equal rights as the Englishmen. -
Sugar Tax
When the British raised taxes on sugar, colonists became concerned about the intent of the King George, and about the future of the colonies. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act imposed a direct tax on all printed goods. Colonists were forced to use only printed goods (which were stamped) that were made in Britain. -
The Quartering Act
The Quartering Act forced any colony to station Britain troops and provide them with suitable accommodations (food, housing, candles, transportation, etc). -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act was presented by British Parliament at the same time the Stamp Act was being appealed. It stated that parliament had the right to make the laws for the colonies in all cases. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were a series of acts proposed by the British Parliament in order to raise revenue in the colonies. This extra revenue would go to paying the salaries of the governors and judges of the colonies. -
The Boston Massacre
When colonial protesters threw snowballs at British soldiers, irate soldiers shot and killed 5 civilians in downtown Boston. This famous incident caused widespread colonial outrage and, prompted the colonists to do something about the British rule. -
The Gaspee
The British ship "Gaspee" was sent by King George III to New England in 1772 to help enforce costal trade laws. When the Gaspee ran aground, Americans took English crewmembers prisoner and set the Gaspee on fire. -
The Tea Act
Passed in 1773, the Tea Act gave the East India Company a monopoly over tea trade in America. Because the act eliminated middlemen in the tea trading business, colonists immediately rejected the bill, sparking the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was the non-violent protest by the Sons of Liberty in which they argued against the tea act, which enforced the buying of only tea from the East India Company. -
Intolerable/Coercive Acts
The Coercive Acts were the British's response to the Boston Tea Party. They were a series of acts that infringed on the rights of the colonists, causing them to convene in the First Continental Congress. -
Continental Congress
The continental Congress was a small group of representatives from each of the 13 colonies that was put together to show colonists what self-government and representation would be like. -
Lexington/Concord
The first military engagement of the Revolutionary War, outnumbered militia men held off the better trained redcoats, and fired the “shot heard round the world” to spark the revolution. -
Common Sense Pamphlet
The Common Sense pamphlet was written by Thomas Paine in an effort to openly and clearly ask Britain for American Freedom. Because Paine used basic language and was open about his suggestions, his pamphlet helped raise awareness and explain the causes for what would be the American Revolution. -
The Battle of Saratoga
Regarded as an important turning point in the war, the win at the Battle of Saratoga convinced France to lend a hand in the revolution. -
Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown was a decisive victory for both colonists and the French fighting on their side. The last battle of the American Revolution, Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis surrendered on the 18th of October. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolutionary War, proclaiming the United States's independence, and declaring its borders.
