-
Sugar Act
This was the first major taxation act issued on the North American colonies by Britain. This law increased the taxes on imported molasses coming from any country besides Britain. -
Stamp Act
This act taxed newspapers, playing cards, documents, and basically any form of printed material to be produced on stamped paper produced in London. -
Townshend Acts
These taxation acts initiated taxes on various imports such as glass, lead, paper, paint, and tea. -
Virginia's Resolutions
The Virginia House of Burgesses passed resolutions condemning Britain's actions against Massachusetts. It stated that only Virginia's governor and legislature could tax its citizens. -
Boston Massacre
The arrival of troops in Boston started conflict between citizens and soldiers. A group of soldiers surrounded by the crowd opened fire, killing three Americans. -
Tea Act
This act reduced the tax on imported tea from Britain, which gave the British a highly unfair advantage in selling tea in the colonies. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
This battle signaled the start of the American Revolutionary War. The British Army went to capture rebel leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock in Lexington, and to destroy American weapons and ammunition in Concord. Minute Men and militia conflicted with the troops, and at the end of the day, many Americans and British were dead. -
Bunker Hill
British General Gage put a martial law into effect, stating that any person caught helping Americans would be labeled a traitor and rebel. The Americans fortified a hill against the British, and in retaliation, the British opened fire. -
Common Sense published
Thomas Paine published the Common Sense pamphlet, which was a highly influential and popular document that helped spread and push the idea of America gaining independence from Britain. -
Battle of Trenton
American forces defeated and captured the Hessians (German soldiers for the British). This helped restore morale in America. -
Battle of Saratoga
American forces surrounded and defeated the British army in New York. This was a turning point for the Americans, as they started to gain more victories. -
Treaty of Alliance
France and America formed an alliance. With this, France helped supply troops, military, and especially more naval support. -
Siege of Charleston
The British took over Charleston along with 5,400 American men and four ships in the harbor. This was America's worst defeat in the war. -
Battle of Yorktown
Both French and American troops attacked British forces at Yorktown through both land and sea battle. British General Cornwallis eventually surrendered, giving up almost 8,000 men. With this defeat, Britain basically lost hope of defeating the Americans in the war. -
Treaty of Paris
This treaty, signed in Paris, France by representatives of Great Britain and representatives of the United States of America, officially ended the American Revolutionary War.
