The American Revolution

French-Indian War

1756

The war took place from 1756-1763 it left England in a lot of debt. This lead to the British heavily taxing the 13 colonies.

Quartering Act

1765

The Quartering Act allowed for British soldiers to be stored in your home this also allowed them to barge in whenever they wanted to see if you were hiding something.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

The stamp act was the first tax act out of many imposed by the british to the colonies. The stamp act allowed for there to be a tax on all printed goods.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

When a fight broke out between colonists and british soldiers this led to the death 5 people. This made tensions even higher between the colonists and the British.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Colonist threw 342 chests of British tea into the Boston Harbor. This was an act of rebellion against the British.

Intolerable Acts (aka Coercive Acts)

1774

Five laws issued by the British in order to exercise control of the colonist. These acts included Boston Port Act. The Boston Port Act was the first Intolerable Act passed. ...

Second Continental Congress Meets

Apr 10, 1775

At this meeting they discussed further plans for the war. They decided that George Washington would be general of the army.

Battle of Lexington & Concord

Apr 19, 1775

These were the first battles of the revolution that is why it is sometimes referred to as the shot heard around the world. The colonist lost but this was a big stepping stone for them in asserting their freedom.

Continental Congress Sends Olive Branch to King George III

Jun 5, 1775

This was done to try and peacefully assert independence from Britain.

Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense

Jan 10, 1776

Common Sense is a 47-page pamphlet writing British rule while advocating for independence.

Declaration of Independence

Jun 4, 1776

The Declaration of Independence, the founding document of the United States, was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain.

Articles of Confederation

Mar 1, 1781

Established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain.

Daniel Shays’ Rebellion

Jul 31, 1786

exposed the weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation and led many to call for strengthening the federal government in order to put down future uprisings.