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The French and Indian War Begins
The French and Indian War was primarily fought between the French colonies in America and the British colonies in America. The conflict between France and Britain was inevitable because of their colonization strategies. With some help from the Native American, Great Britain defeated France.
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/French_and_Indian_War?rec=498 -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian War. Since Britain had beated France and Spain, an agreement had to be worked out. The British wanted land. Specifiacally, the land west of the Appalachian Mountains (most of the French colonies). The British got what they wanted but it is one of the reasons that started conflict between the colonist and Great Britain. This is because the colonist were not allowed to settle in the land west of the Appalachian Mountians.
http://www.ushistory.org/us -
The Royal Proclamation
The Royal Proclamation stated that the colonists were not allowed to settle west of the Appalachain Mountains. The Native Americans were already angry that different countries had come to take their land and the Royal Proclamation was an attempt to keep peace with them.However, the colonists found this unfair and wanted to settle on the land. Conflict arose between the colonists and Great Britain because of this.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/9a.asp -
The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was passed by British Partiament ot create more money for Great Britain. Thn new tax increased the price of sugar, lumber, and other important goods. The colonists disagreed with the tax and worked hard to have it repealled.
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/sugaract.htm -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was created by the British Parliament to fund the troops after the victory in the French and Indian War. The new tax made all British paper products cost more. Many colonists were outraged because they had already had to pay high taxes. The Parliament believed the tax was necessary and that the colonists should help pay for their own army.
http://www.history.org/history/teaching/tchcrsta.cfm -
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The Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress was a group of elected representatives from each colony that met in New York from Oct. 7- 25 to create a unified protest of the Stamp Act. The tax was much too high and this was a big step toward a unified rebellion of Great Britain itself. Britain was becoming too controlling and the colonies seemed to what more freedom at this point in time.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/10a.asp -
The Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts' goal was to create more money for the government officials in the colonies. This increased the tax on many items including glass, paint, oil, and more. Many colonists did not like these taxes either. Mobs formed and many people boycotted British trade in reaction to the tax.
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/townshend.htm -
The Boston Massacre
At this point, the colonists were fed up with the taxes and the decisions being made for them in Great Britain. A mob formed outside the Boston Customs House. They began throwing snowballs and insulting a guard who eventually called for back up. Then suddenly, they fired killing tree and injuring more colonists.
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/revolut/jb_revolut_boston_1.html -
The Boston Tea Party
The colonist were angry about the extra taxes being added onto everyday products. They knew they had to show King George III that they had had enough of the taxes. The Sons of Liberty went onto a trading ship full of tea and dumped it into the harbor. The colonists told to Major Massachusetts not to authorize the ship to dock but he did so the Sons of Liberty rebelled.
http://www.boston-tea-party.org/ -
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The First Continental Congress
This was meeting of twelve colonies to discuss what to do after the Intolerable Acts were passed. Representatives were elected to go and converse about the options that they had.They didn't want to be controlled by Great Britain that way.
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/congress.htm -
Patrick Henry "Give Me Liberty
Patrick Henry gave a speech to the Second Virgina Convention. He spoke about how he wanted to prepare the cavalry. His speech was very moving and memorable. He concluded his speech with the phrase, " Give me liberty or give me death!" which caught on very nicely.
http://www.history.org/almanack/life/politics/giveme.cfm -
The Midnight Ride of Revere, Dawes, and Prescott
On this night, Joseph Warren told Paul Revere, Dawes, and Prescot to ride to Lexingon and Concord to alert the people, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams about the Redcoats plan. The Redcoats planned on destroying the militia's weapons and ammo as well as capture Sam Adams and John Hancock. At the end of the night, the Redcoats could not stop the riders as the word spread to the colonists.
http://www.paulreverehouse.org/ride/ -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord did not go the way the Redcoats planned. Thanks to the Freedom Riders, word had spread of their intensions. The militia had time to prepare and after a small defeat at Lexington, they rallied and defeated the Redcoats at Concord.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/11c.asp -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
This battle showed what the militia could do. They snuck onto Bunker Hill and Breeds Hill. The Redcoats knew the high ground gave an advantage. Thrice they charged Breeds Hill. Twice they failed. On the third try, the militia retreated to Bunker Hill and then off of the peninsula. The only reason they retreated was because they ran out of ammo and that is why the British victory was not genuine.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/The-True-Story-of-the-Battle-of-Bunker-Hill-2041195 -
"Common Sense" Published
Written by Thomas Paine, "Common Sense" changed many colonists minds about independence. He used plain language that the average person could understand to convey his view of the colonies situation. The actual number of pamphlets sold is not clear but what is clear is that he spread the word of independence throughout the colonies.
http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/ -
British Evacuate Boston
This was a big victory for the colonies. The eleven month seige of Boston had worked and now the British were not controlling the colonies. The Second Continental Congress took this oppurtunity to declare independence. This victory boosted the moral of the colonies and also handed George Washingon his first victory.
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/war-for-independence/resources/british-evacuation-boston-1776 -
Fort Ticonderoga
This fort was captured by the Green Mountain Boys led by Ethan Allen. After they had captured the fort, the supplies including cannons were shipped out to Boston to fortify Dorchester Heights. This was a very important victory because the cannons were a big reason that the Redcoats evacuated Boston.
http://www.fortticonderoga.org/story/people/arnold -
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The Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress met to discuss what to do next. First they decided they were going to become independent of Great Britain. They wrote the Declaration of Independence. Also, they appointed George Washington Commander-in-Chief of the army.
http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/ccs.htm -
Declaration of Independence Announced
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents ever written. The Second Continental Congress felt that it needed to be announced that they were breaking away from Great Britain. July 4, is from that day on is known as Independence Day.
http://www.ushistory.org/gop/tour_indhall.htm -
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"The Crisis" is Published
Thomas Paine wanted to boost the soldiers moral because he knew that they were going through hard times. He knew that the soldiers deserved some thanks and support. Perhaps the most famous line was "These are the times that try men's souls."
http://www.ushistory.org/paine/crisis/c-01.htm -
Washington Captures Trenton
On the day after Christmas, Washington led the Continental Army across the Delaware River to battle the Hessians. Crossing the river was difficult and not all of the troops made it across. However, when the got across, they captured almost the entire Hessian army. This battle boosted the moral of the colonies greatly.
http://www.ushistory.org/washingtoncrossing/history/crossagain.htm -
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Battles of Saratoga
These battles were one of the first important victories of the war for the militia. The battles went back and forth as the British troops lost many soldiers. In the end, the militia was successful in defeating the British. After these battles, the French decided to aide the Americans becasue they had showed that they were worth backing.
http://battle1777.saratoga.org/history.html -
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The Winter at Valley Forge
George Washington was greatly critisized for his decision to keep his troops stationed at Valley Forge. Many soldiers died from disease or famine. This winter was known to be extremely cold. They did not have much supplies to last them for an entire winter.
http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/valleyforge.htm -
John Paul Jones Defeats the Serapis
John Paul Jones is known as the Father of the Navy because of his actions durring the American Revolution. He fought the Serapis in which he is famous for saying "I have not yet begun to fight!" when the Captin of the Serapis ordered him to surrender. He captured the Serapis in three hours and is considered a great captin.
http://www.marinersmuseum.org/sites/micro/usnavy/03/03c.htm -
Benedict Arnold Plans Found Out
Benedict Arnold was a general on the American side of the war but he supported the British. He had gained control of West Point in New York and he planned to surrender it to the British. Luckily, his plans were discovered. Many people now use his name as a synonym for traitor.
http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/arnold.html -
Cornwallis Surrenders
George Washington led the Continental Army and some French troops against Lord Cornwallis. George Washingtons goal was to siege Yorktown. Washington captured Cornwallis and his troops. This was the last decisive battle of the American Revolution and led Great Britain to negotiate for peace.
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/war-for-independence/resources/surrender-british-general-cornwallis-americans-october
