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Treaty of Paris (French and Indian War)
The Treaty of Paris ended French power in North America. Britain had claimed all land east of the Mississippi River. To reward Spain for its help the French gave them Louisiana and New Orleans, Britain gave Cuba and the Philippines back for Florida. -
Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 restricted colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains. The British wanted this land to remain in the hands of the Native Americans to prevent another rebellion. Many ignored the law because they already bought the land and wanted to move onto the fertile soil. -
Sugar Act
In 1764 Parliament passed a law that put taxes on sugars, molasses and other goods shipped to the colonies. They called this the Sugar Act. The Sugar Act had strict enforcements and punished smugglers harshly. Many colonial merchants traded with the smugglers, they acted with anger. James Otis claimed that Parliament had no right to tax the colonists without representation. -
Stamp Act
In 1765, the Stamp Act was passed. This act required all legal documents, like diplomas, contracts and wills, to carry a stamp on it that showed a tax had been paid. The Stamp Act had an effect on everyone. Protests broke out, the colonists would not take Parliament taxing them without their consent, so they started a boycott. -
Quartering Act
In 1765, the Quartering Act was passed. There were 10,000 soldiers in the colonies, but majority of them remained in New York. These soldiers were ordered to stay in the colonies to enforce the Proclamation of 1763 and to keep peace with the Native Americans. This act required that colonists provide for the British soldiers in their homes. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred when 1,000 British soldiers arrived in Boston. Tensions rose between the colonists and the red coats, and battle broke out. British shot at the colonists first, leading African American Crispus Attucks the first one to die in the massacre. The soldiers were charged with murder, but with John Adams defending them in court they were set free. This massacre become a symbol of British tyranny. -
Tea Act
In 1773, Parliament passed the Tea Act. This act allowed Britain to gain control over American tea trade and taxed tea. Since many people smuggled tea, this act diminished that possibility and infuriated colonist. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a way to show how colonists were furious about taxation without representation. Sons of Liberty dressed up as Native Americans and boarded a British tea ship and threw over 342 cases of tea into the Boston Harbor. Britain wanted a repayment for the wrecked tea, this flamed a rebellion. -
Intolerable Acts
In 1774 Parliament passed heavy laws to punish colonists. At first this was the Coercive Acts, but colonists called it the Intolerable Acts due to its harshness. One of the acts was closing Boston’s port until the colonists paid off the destroyed tea, another was banning the committee of correspondence. Britain could house their troops wherever and could accuse crimes onto colonists. Thomas Gage was set up to enforce these acts. -
First Continental Congress
On September 5th, 1774, the First Continental Congress meets. The colonial delegates voted to ban trading with Britain until the Intolerable Acts were repealed. This was also the time when colonists began to train troops for battle. By sustaining their rights, delegates planned for future independence. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
In the middle of April British troops reached Lexington to battle with the colonists’ militia. One third of the militia were colonists that were trained to be ready for battle all the time, these were called minutemen. The colonists won the battle at Concord, forcing the British soldiers to retreat. The battle of Lexington and Concord was the first battle in the Revolutionary War. -
Second Continental Congress
On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. John Adams, Ben Franklin, George Washington and Patrick Henry were the delegates who were at this meeting. The delegates decided to form the Continental Army at this meeting, and appointed George Washington to lead this army to success. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
In June of 1775, militiamen seized Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill. British soldiers attacked at Breed's Hill and eventually forced the militia off of the hill. By forcing the militia off the hill Britain won this battle, but the colonists still gained moral victory. -
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine wrote the Common Sense pamphlet to prove that the colonies needed to break with Britain and have independence. Paine ridiculed the king's ruling and insulted him, also he disagreed with remaining with Britain for economics. Thomas Paine believed the America should be following its own destiny, and his pamphlet for independence sold more than 100,000 copies in three months. -
Declaration of Independence
In June of 1776, Richard Henry Lee comes up with the idea of the Declaration of Independence. This declaration gave the colonies their own freedom to have their own government each, and to break with Britain. Thomas Jefferson from Virginia was chosen to write the Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress adopts the declaration, giving the colonies independence. The Declaration of Independence claims that people have rights that government cannot take away. -
Battle of Long Island (Battle of Brooklyn)
The Battle of Long Island was the first major battle to occur after the Declaration of Independence. George Washington brought the Continental Army to New York to defend the port, but was caught off guard when they were surrounded by Howe's British army. The British won this battle due to Washington retreating his troops before any lives were loss. This battle ended up giving Britain control over New York and being a disappointing loss for Washington. -
"The American Crisis" by Thomas Paine
After "Common Sense", Thomas Paine came out with another popular pamphlet series called "The American Crisis" which held sixteen pamphlets total. This series displayed Paine's view on the outcome of the Revolutionary War and inspired Americans. It also appealed the England and their consideration of fighting in battle during the Revolutionary War. -
Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton took place in Trenton, New Jersey after George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River. The army closed in on the Hessians and completely caught them off guard and captures many Hessian soldiers and their supplies with Washinton's strategy. This battle was a major success for the Continental Army and since it was at the end of the year, inspired troops to rejoin for the next. -
Battles of Saratoga
The Battles of Saratoga was a turning point in the war. It convinced the Europeans that the Americans might have a chance to win the war. John Burgoyne’s army met with the Continental Army in Saratoga where a series of battles happened. Benedict Arnold forced Britain to retreat, but with the lack of credit for this achievement, Arnold betrays his army and joins the British. -
Winter at Valley Forge
George Washington retreats the Continental Army from Philadelphia to Valley Forge for the winter of 1777-1778. This was a rough winter for the army because they had a very limited amount of supplies and food. Many of the soldiers deserted the army at that time to head back home, but majority stayed for the love of Washington and their country. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown started on September 28th and lasted until October 19th of 1781. British's General Lord Cornwallis led his army to Yorktown. While Washington's army was still low on supplies they planned to attack the British with French troops helping them by their side. Cornwallis and the rest of his troops were caught off guard completely and had to surrrender 8,000 troops. Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle of the war, after this battle Britain makes a peace treaty. -
Treaty of Paris of 1783
The war officially ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The United States were now independent and had territories east of the Mississippi, South of Canada and North of Florida. Many of the US soldiers left the army with no money to reward them. The Revolutionary War left the United States in the great debt of 27 million dollars.
