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Jamestown Founded
The first permanent English settlement in the Americas. -
House of Burgesses Formed in Jamestown
The first legislative assembly of elected representatives in North America. It was followed by many others. -
Plymouth Colony Founded
The first sizable permanent English settlement in the New England region. -
John Locke's Two Treatises of Government Published
Argues that all men are created equal in the state of nature by God and the only legitimate governments are those that have the consent of the people. It would later influence the Founding Fathers. -
Seven Years' War Begins Between France and Britain
Britain and France fought for control of trade and colonies. -
King George III Becomes King of Great Britain
Seen as a tyrant by the colonists. -
Seven Years' War Ends
Briatin gained the bulk of New France in North America, Spanish Florida, some individual Caribbean islands in the West Indies, the colony of Senegal on the West African coast and superiority over the French trading outposts on the Indian subcontinent. Put Britain in a large debt. -
Quartering Act of 1765 Commenced
Ordered local governments of the colonies to provide British soldiers with accommodations or housing. -
Stamp Act of 1765 Commenced
Imposed a direct tax specifically on the colonies on all printed goods, led to protest against “taxation without representation.” -
Townshend Acts of 1767 Commenced
Raised revenue in the colonies to pay the salaries of governors and judges so that they would remain loyal to Britain. -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers killed five civilians and injured six others. -
The Boston Tea Party
Demonstrators from the Sons of Liberty destroyed an entire shipment of tea sent by the East India Company in defiance of the Tea Act. -
Coercive Acts Commenced
Placed by Parliament upon Massachusetts in response to the Boston Tea Party, took away self-government and historic rights of Massachusetts. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The first two battles of the war, British troops were sent to destroy rebel military supplies at Concord.
Outcome: colonial victory -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Fought primarily on Breed’s Hill outside of Boston, rebels had little ammunition.
Outcome: British victory, heavy losses by British -
Battle of Quebec
The first major military initiative by the newly formed Continental Army. The objectives were to gain military control of the British Province of Quebec and convince the French-speaking Canadians to join the revolution.
Outcome: British victory, heavy American losses -
Thomas Paine's Common Sense Published
Presented the American colonists with an argument for freedom from British rule and swayed many colonists to support independence. -
Declaration of Independece Adopted
Announced that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as 13 newly independent sovereign states and
outlined the ideals of the new nation; signed by 56 delegates and written by Thomas Jefferson. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington crossed the Delaware River in a surprise attack against Hessian forces.
Outcome: decisive American victory, large morale boost for the rebels -
Battle of Brandywine
Outcome: British victory
British General William Howe had the opportunity to obliterate the Continental Army, but instead he waited while they retreated. -
Battle of Saratoga
The climax of the Saratoga Campaign (attempt by British to gain military control of the Hudson River); the turning point in the war for the Americans
Outcome: Surrender of General Burgoyne, entry of France on the American side -
Battle of Cowpens
The turning point in regaining the South from the British.
Outcome: American victory -
Battle of the Chesapeake
British and French fleets battled at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and blocked Cornwallis at Yorktown from receiving naval aid.
Outcome: French victory -
Battle of Yorktown Begins
Combined French and American forces defeated the British army.
Outcome: American victory, surrender of General Cornwallis
As a result, the Treaty of Paris was signed and American Independence was achieved. -
Battle of Yorktown Ends
Combined French and American forces defeated the British army.
Outcome: American victory, surrender of General Cornwallis
As a result, the Treaty of Paris was signed and American Independence was achieved. -
Treaty of Paris Signed
Ended the war between America and Britain.