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The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a law passed onto the American colonists in New York by the British Parliament that taxed a wide range of transactions in the colonies to recoup from massive debt from the war. -
The Townshend Act
The Townshend Act was a series of measures passed by the British Parliament to tax goods imported from Great Britain because the Parliament wanted authority and power over the colonies/colonists. -
The Boston Massacre
Tensions kept on rising between the British soldiers and Boston residents so one day the Americans started taunting and throwing things at the soldiers causing a riot. The British lost their cool and fired at the crowd. Three men were dead and a couple of them were wounded. Colonists used this incident for propaganda. -
The Boston Tea Party
After British Parliament passed the Tea Act, many Americans were extremely angry so they boarded three ships in Boston Harbor and destroyed more then 92,000 pounds of tea. -
The Intolerable Acts
In response to the Boston Tea Party, the Parliament passed a series of laws that closed the Boston Harbor in Massachusetts until all the damage was paid for. -
Lexington and Concord
The British soldiers were on their way to capture two colonial radical leaders when they were greeted by the colonists (they found out that the soldiers were coming because of the colonists spies). They began shooting each other causing many to die and be injured. This showed the British that the colonists were to be taken seriously. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill was part of the American siege of British-held Boston. The hill (in Charles-town) was eventually cleared up, but only by force. -
The Declaration of Independence was adopted
After the congress recommended that the colonies form their own governments, the higher up colonists, like Thomas Jefferson, wrote the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. -
George Washington crosses Delaware
Having been forced to abandon New York City by the British, Washington and the Continental Army struck back on Christmas night by crossing the Delaware River and taking around 900 prisoners. -
France and U.S. form an alliance
The French had actually secretly furnished financial and material aid from the Americans since 1776, but with the signing of multiple treaties, the France-American alliance was officially formed. To help the Americans out, France prepared fleets and armies to enter and fight Britain. -
Siege of Yorktown
After the British set up a base in Yorktown, Washington's army placed Yorktown under a siege forcing British forces to surrender. -
Treaty of Paris ends the war
After the British defeat at Yorktown and by the terms of the treaty (it was signed in Paris), Britain recognized the independence of the U.S, making the war come to an end.
