US History Timeline

  • Proclamation of 1763

    Proclamation of 1763
    The Proclamation Act prohibited Anglo-American settlement west of the Appalachians. They did this because of conflict between the Native Americans and the European Americans. This irritated both the rich and poor colonists because it curtailed land speculation and prevented settlement.
  • Sugar Act of 1764

    Sugar Act of 1764
    This act was created to prohibit the smuggling of sugar and to generate revenue as well as make customs collection more efficient. They did this because they needed to raise revenue to help support an army to defend the colonies. Many colonists objected because it hurt their profits.
  • Currency Act of 1764

    Currency Act of 1764
    The act prohibited colonial government from issuing paper money and all taxes and debts to British merchants to be paid in British currency. The was set because the colonies suffered a constant shortage of currency with which to conduct trade. The colonists protested against this because they suffered a trade deficit.
  • The stamp act of 1765

    The stamp act of 1765
    This act stated that anyone who used or purchased anything printed on paper had to buy a revenue stamp. They did this to pay for British troops during the war. The colonists protested because they would have to contribute 60,000 pounds per year.
  • The Quartering Act of 1765

    The Quartering Act of 1765
    This act required the colonists to provide the soldiers with barracks or places to stay in public places as well as giving the troops food. This was set because the government had problems housing soldiers. The colonists refused to do so because they're were too many soldiers.
  • Declaratory Act of 1766

    Declaratory Act of 1766
    This act stated that the British Parliament could make laws binding the American colonies. This was set because of the repeal of the stamp act. This act was passed to assert the authority of the British government to tax its subjects in North America. The colonists were outraged because it hinted that more acts were coming.
  • The Townshend Revenue Act of 1767

    The Townshend Revenue Act of 1767
    The act placed duties on various consumers. This act was set because they did not have the manufacturing base to produce them. The colonists did not like this whatsoever and protested because of the fact that this would cost them money.
  • Boston Massacre

    Boston Massacre
    The Boston Massacre was a fight between the British soldiers and a horde of patriots. throwing stones, snowballs and other miscellaneous objects. It took place beneath the Old State House balcony. The British ended up killing 5 people
  • The Tea Act of 1773

    The Tea Act of 1773
    The act was designed to prop up the East India company which was floundering financially. They wrote the because they had to bail them out. The colonists didn't like this at all and protested because they thought it was a way to gain colonial support for the tax already enforced.
  • Boston Tea Party

    Boston Tea Party
    The Boston Tea Party was a protest against the British Government. "No taxation without representation" came from this. Frustrated at the British, the Americans dumped 342 chests of tea into the Harbor.
  • The Intolerable Acts of 1774

    The Intolerable Acts of 1774
    The act banned the loading or unloading of any sips in the Boston harbor. They did this to punish Massachusetts. The colonists protested because they felt like the act was a violation of their rights. (the Boston Port Act, the Massachusetts Government Act, the Administration of Justice Act, and the Quartering Act.)
  • Lexington & Concord

    Lexington & Concord
    The British wanted their guns back do they tried to do so but the Americans wanted to keep them and protested against leading to a war. The Americans won and it gave them courage. This started the revolution
  • Bunker Hill

    Bunker Hill
    America hiked up a hill to gain a tactical advantage over the British as well as taking control over Britain. The British wanted to keep control of the city. In the end, the British won but there were many casualties. This built there courage up even more.
  • The Declaration Of Independence

    The Declaration Of Independence
    The declaration of independence announced the detachment of the 13 colonies. It was the initiating document of the U.S. . The Declaration Of Independence incorporated 3 Major Ideas. The Ideas were People have certain Inalienable Rights including Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.
  • Battle of Trenton

    Battle of Trenton
    This battle was fought between the Hessians and British vs. Americans (Continental Army). The Americans won. This battle gave America control over New Jersey. Americans needed a victory in their darkest times, and so they got it!
  • Battle of Saratoga

    Battle of Saratoga
    The battle of Saratoga consisted of 2 battles. The winning of this battle contributed to American independence. The British surrendered. This was the First great victory for the united states.
  • Valley Forge

    Valley Forge
    Valley Forge was the location where the encampment of George Washington took place. Valley forge was located near Philadelphia, where some British troops were located. The American's won and this gave them confidence.
  • Battle Of Yorktown

    Battle Of Yorktown
    This battled ended the revolutionary war once and for all. Gen. Cornwallis moved to Yorktown for good harbor and reinforcements. America won and there was peace for 2 years after.
  • Treaty Of Paris

    Treaty Of Paris
    This Treaty ended the American revolution and declared the United States as an independent nation. It made peace with Britain. It dealt with fishing rights as well.
  • The Whiskey Rebellion

    The Whiskey Rebellion
    The Whiskey Rebellion was a riot of farmers that were protesting against the whiskey tax. It was the first test of the federal authority and George Washington. George Washington ended up using military force. This showed that the federal government had the power to keep order.
  • XYZ Affair

    XYZ Affair
    The XYZ affaor was an incident between America and France. A few diplomats from America went to negotiate a solution to the issue of threatening to erupt into war. The three French men(XYZ) told them to see the minister, you must give them money. The French treated the with disrespect and this ended up in an undeclared war between the two commonly referred to as the Quasi-War.
  • Alien and Sedition Acts

    Alien and Sedition Acts
    The Alien and Sedition Acts were created by a federalist-controlled congress. These laws stopped any "aliens" from coming to the U.S. . It also made it a crime to speak poorly against the federal government.
  • Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

    Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
    The resolutions declared that the federal government did not have the right to utilize power that is not stated directly from the constitution. They also sentenced the Alien and Sedation acts as unconstitutional.
  • Embargo Act

    Embargo Act
    This act closed all U.S exports and restricted the amount of imports from Britain. This closed up America's economy. This was a costly failure that resulted in decrease in the American economy.
  • War of 1812

    War of 1812
    The War of 1812 was a war between the U.S. and Great Britain. The U.S. declared war on Great Britain because of the continuous violations. These violations include the capturing of U.S. ships, the attempts to stop U.S. trade, and constant disrespect. The war ended in a draw but it helped U.S. military.
  • McCulloch v. Maryland

    McCulloch v. Maryland
    This was one of the first Supreme Court cases on Federal Power. This case prevented the state governments from taxing the federal Government and allowing the federal government to set up a bank.
  • Monroe Doctrine

    Monroe Doctrine
    This acted as a warning to European nations that the U.S. wouldn't tolerate any more colonization in their territory. This became a success and made the Europeans respect the United States.