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French and Indian War
1754-1763
British gain territory in the New World and push French out -
Treaty of Paris (Proclamation of 1763)
This ended the French and Indian War resulting in the French giving up all North American Territories -
Stamp Act
British charge tax on printed materials to help pay for war losses -
Quartering Acts
Colonists are required to house and feed British soldiers -
Townsend Acts
British imposed a tax on a series if imports such as glass, paper, lead paint, and tea. Townshend hoped the acts would defray imperial expenses in the colonies, but many Americans viewed the taxation as an abuse of power. -
Boston Massacre
Colonial Patriots began taunting British guards which resulted in the throwing of snowballs. Hugh Montgomery was hit and fired his rifle first which lead to the death of five colonists. -
Repeal of Townshend Acts
Due to the uprising movement of the colonists following the Boston massacre, with hopes of suppressing further problems, the British repeal the tax, except on tea. -
Boston Tea Party
After the British refused to repeal the tax on tea Samuel Adams lead the Sons of Liberty to dump 342 crates of British tea into the harbor.This action caused a wave of resistance throughout the colonies, and began the movement for no taxation without representation. -
Coercive Acts/Intolerable Acts
A series of laws passed by the British due to the uprising of the colonists after the Boston tea Party. Specifically, they banned the right of the colonists to hold town meetings, closed the harbor until the tea tax was paid, and forced the colonists to host soldiers in their homes. -
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First Continental Congress
This was a meeting of 56 delegates from twelve of the Thirteen Colonies that met, at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia. They discussed the recent passing of the Coercive acts and drafted a declaration of rights. They demanded an appeal or representation in British parliament. Patrick Henry, George Washington, John Adams, and John Jay were among the delegates. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
British marched out to the towns of Lexington and Concord to seize a store of weapons held by colonial Patriots who had ceased to recognize the authority of the royal government of Massachusetts. The Patriots drove the British expedition back to Boston and laid siege to the town. -
Second Continental Congress
Following the Battle of Lexington, the 2nd congress met to manage the war effort and move towards independence from Britain. Although the delegates tried to get England to make some sort of compromise, after they sent in more military, Independence was declared. -
George Washington takes control of Continental Army
Although he had little Military experience, Washington lead the Continental army with great leadership and bravery for six long years of war. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Early in the Revolutionary War, the British defeated the Americans at the Battle of Bunker Hill in Massachusetts. Despite their loss, the colonial forces inflicted many casualties against the enemy, and the battle provided them with an important confidence boost. -
Declaration of Independence Issued
By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain -
Battle of Saratoga
This was the turning point of the Revolutionary War as 5,895 British and Hessian troops surrendered their arms, giving the rebels a big Victory. -
French sign the Treaty of Alliance
Benjamin Franklin is in France signing treaty to gain the alliance of France against the British. After a long cold winter at Valley Forge, General Washington was very thankful for the supplies and weapons given by the French. -
Battle of King's Mountain
The Battle of Kings Mountain was a decisive victory in South Carolina for the Patriot militia over the Loyalist militia, in the Southern Campaign, of the American Revolutionary War -
Articles of Confederation ratified by all thirteen colonies
Under these articles, the states remained sovereign and independent, with Congress serving as the last resort on appeal of disputes. Congress was also given the authority to make treaties and alliances, maintain armed forces and coin money. However, the central government lacked the ability to levy taxes and regulate commerce, issues that led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 for the creation of new federal laws. -
British General Cornwalis surrenders at Yorktown
Charles Cornwallis formally surrenders 8,000 British soldiers and seamen to a French and American force at Yorktown, Virginia, bringing the American Revolution to a close. -
Second Treaty of Paris Signed
The Treaty of Paris of 1783, negotiated between the United States and Great Britain, ended the revolutionary war and recognized American independence.
