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The French and Indian War
-Also known as the Seven Years War. Fought between the French and Indians, as well as the British and the Indians. The british defeat the French gaining the territory of the Ohio River Valley. -
Period: to
The Revolution
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The Proclamation of 1763
This document was published after the end of the French and Indian war. It closed off the land west of the Applachians to the colonists, and thus the land was reserved for the indians. All settlers west of the mountains had to vacate their land and move east. -
Partick Henry "If this be treason, make the most of it!" speech
In the House of Burgesses, Henry had input his ideas pertaining to the Stamp Act. He added "Only colonial assemblies had the right to impose taxes on their constituents and that right could not be assigned to any other body." Some men shouted "TREASON" and he replied, "If this be treason, make the most of it." -
The Boston Massacre
The presence of British troops in Boston was very unwelcomed by the colonists. Thus riots began to form as they hurled snowballs and rocks at the troops. Yelling profoundly comments at them, one of the soldiers fired a shot and the rest of the troops did as well. 5 colonists were killed and when sent to trial, the troops were found NOT guilty. -
The Gaspee Affair
Lieutenant William Duddington, of the ship Gaspee had a bad reputaion of detaining and confiscating goods of ships often with no charges given. The settlers were not compensated for the goods that were wrongly impounded. Most people feel he was only this way towards members of The Sons of Liberty. A local, John Brown baited the Gaspee into shallow waters and when the Gaspee run aground a mob of 55 men attacked the ship capturing the entire crew and brought them ashore to watch the Gaspee burn. -
The Tea Act
basically the East India Trading Company had 18million pounds of unsold tea. so when the tea was sent to the colonies to be sold at a bargin price, the americans thought it was an advance to raise taxes, plus buying straight from the british would take the money away from store owners. so the colonists refused to bring the tea into the colonies. thus leading to the Boston Tea Party. -
The Boston Tea Party
As the cargo ships in Boston were at a stand still with the colonists not allowing the tea be unloaded. The Sons of Liberty dresses as indians in the night and boarded the ship and dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor. -
The First Continental Congress
The 13 colonies all except Georgia sent repesentatives the this meeting. Their aim was to show a united determination to show a combined authority to Great Britain. Within the Congress there were people with firm instructions to seek resolution, some who were ready to divide and others who openly defended there rights. -
Galloway's Plan
Galloways plan was that the colonies should reconsile with Great Britain. The plan was very attractive to most of the members, as it proposed an elected Grand Council that would represent the interests of the colonies as a whole, and would be the equivalent to the English Parliament. After a vote of 5 to 6 the plan was REJECTED. -
Patrick Henry's "Give me Liberty or give me Death"
Patrick Henry gave this speech at St. John's Church in Richmond Virginia, as a way to persuade virginia colonists to enlist in the militia for the Revolutionary War. -
Minutemen at Lexington
Britain's General Gage had a plan to send troops to Lexington to capture Colonial leaders Sam Adams and John Hancock, then continue to Concord and sieze a large amount of gunpowder. But friendly american spys leaked word of this plan and warned the patriots. This also led to Paul Reveres Famous "The British are coming" horse ride. Minutemen waited for the arrival of the British troops and at a stand off was the "Shot heard around the world" -
Second Continental Congress
This meeting of Congress was met in Philadelphia. The idea of the Continental Army was born, with George Washington appointed as leader. The Congress printed money to pay for supplies and began conducting foreign relatioins with other countries so that, if the time were to come when they needed help, they would have it. -
Washington named Commander in Chief
Washington was chosen as Commander in Cheif over others such as John Hancock because of his previous experience in war. They hoped a leader from Virginia could help unite the Colonies. After 8 years he resigned as Commander. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
American troops under Artemas Ward's command entrenched themselves on a rise located on the Charleston Peninsula, their destination; Bunker Hill. From Bunker Hill they could attack the British ships in the Boston Harbor. But the troops misunderstood Ward's commands and were entrenched on Breed's Hill, much closer to the British. The British General sent his troops uphill thinking they would retreat, and his men were severly defeated. -
"Common Sence" -Thomas Paine
Published in 1776, Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of America and was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. -http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/index.htm -
Patriots decisively defeat the British Navy at Fort Moultrie, South Carolina
The attack was covered by an armed British schooner. The boats were turned back when the Americans fired at point-blank range, causing very heavy casualties in the British assault party -http://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/revolution_ft_moultrie_1.html -
The Declaration of Independence
By signing the Declaration of Independance, every man was committing Treason to the King. -
Washington crosses Delaware
On the night of Christmas Washintgon led his men across the Delaware into Trenton New Jersey. Hessian troops staying the the village were caught by suprise at Washington's men defeated them. This led the the secong battle of Trenton and Princeton. -
Benedict Arnold's troops force a British retreat at Ridgefield, Connecticut.
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Flag Resolution
Congress decided that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation -
Paoli Massacre
"...more than a dozen soldiers had with fixed bayonets formed a cordon round him, and that everyone of them in sport had indulged their brutal ferocity by stabbing him in different parts of his body and limbs ... a physician ... examining him there was found ... 46 distinct bayonet wounds..."
William Hutchinson, Pennsylvania Militiaman -
British capture Fort Mifflin, Pennsylvania
"Philadelphia belonged to the British and General Howe. Yet the area surrounding the city, and the Delaware River was controlled by George Washington and the Continental Army. Howe needed a way to bring food and supplies into the city. To do so, he chose to attack American-held forts along the Delaware. Fort Mifflin, the focal point of the American Defense, came under an intense bombardment. After three weeks of fighting, the British finally conquered the forts."
--USHISTORY.ORG -
The United States and France sign the French Alliance
The Treaty of Alliance between France and the United States was concluded at Paris, February 6, 1778 and ratified by Congress May 4, 1778. The treaty provided for a defensive alliance to aid France should England attack, and that neither France nor the United States would make peace with England until the independence of the United States was recognized. The knowledge of the Alliance came to Washington on May Day, 1778. http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/history/alliance_washington.html -
Articles of Confederation adopted
