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French & Indian War
1754-1763 A long expensive war between French &Britian and their Native Amercan allies, for controll over North America.The British deafeated France, thus gaining French Canada. Also after Britian won, the Kng began taxing colonists to payfor the war. This taxation angered the colonists and helped cause the Revolutionary Wasr. -
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Revolutionary war Timline Project
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Proclomation of 1763
An order in which Brittan prohibited it's American colonists from settling west of the Appalachian mountains. The colonists were angered because they believed that they had won the right to settle the Ohio River Valley. The government got mad at the colonists who did not want to pay for their own defense. This hostility helped caused America to fight for their independance. -
The Sugar Act
This law was established in 1764. This law put a tax on sugar, molassas, and all other products shipped to the colonies. This law also made a harsh punshment for those who would try and smuggle the goods. Many colonial merchants were angered. James Otis exclaimed "No taxation without representation!" . This angered the colonists because they did not think that it was fair for King George to tax them. This made them want to declair independance. -
The Stamp Act
1765, the paliament passed tis act. This law required all legal and commercial documents to carry an official stamp showing that the tax was paid. Newspapers, diplomas, and contracts had to be stamped and/or writte on special stamped paper. The Stamp Act was only applid to the Colonists. The colonists were also made to pay for the stamp with a silver coin; a rare object. The colonists had no say in this tax and it frusterated them. -
The Quartering Act
Parliament passed the Quartering act in 1765. This was a cost saving measure that required the colonists to quarter, or house, the British sodiers and provide them with supplies. Genereal Thomas Gage was a comander of multiple forces. Gage put many of the soldiers in New York. This forced colonists into feeding and housing the troops, thus forcing the colonists to pay for that didnt fight for their cause. -
The Townshend Act
The King's finance minister, Chaels Townshend told parliament that he had a way to raise revenue n the colonies. Int 1767, parliament passed the Townshend Act. The first of theTownshend act suspended New York's assembly untill New York agreed to house the British soldiers. The other acts put duties or taxes on goods brought into the colonies. Glass, paper, paint, led etc. were all taxed. -
The Declatory Act
Parlamenthas power to legislate tax, etc. Parliament did not like that it was forced by colonists t repeal stamp act, -
Boston Non-Importation Agreement
The taxes ae about how officers had to pay. On a good Cause money would go to the king. -
Boston Massacre
1768 Thomas Gage led 1,000 British soldiers into Boston. By March, 5th 1770, the tension between the colonists and brithish soldiers exploded. A group of dockworkers and youth bean trading insults infront of the Custom house. Crispus Attucks, a frre slave, and four others were killed. John Adams was one of Americas Best Lawyers. He lawyered for the British soldiers and they were found not guilty. Colonists were mad that innocent people were killed and the murderesers were not punished. -
The Tea Act
Parliament proposed the repeal of the Townsen acts. One month later, all of the acts, besides tea, were repealed.The colonist's boycott was effective and the British trade was hurt, but parliament decided to keep the tea tax to show that they still had the right to tax. In 1773 parliament passed the tea act. Tea was extrermely popular in the colonies. The tea act gave the East India Company controll over American tea trade. -
The Boston Tea Party
In Boston, the Sons of Libertyorganized the Boston tea party. On December 16th 1773, a group of men disguised as Native Americans borded three ships docked in Boston Harbor. The destroyed 342 chests of tea. Britian rejected the offer to repeal the tea tax. -
First Continental Congress
March 31-June 22, 1774
In September 1774, all delligates besides Gerogia, met in Philialphia. This meeting was called the First Continental Congress. Deligates voted to ban all trade with Britain untill the Intolerable Acts were repealed. Most delegates where not ready so the dellagates agreed to meet in seven months if needed. -
The Intollerable Acts
Mar. 31- jun. 22 1774
In 1774 parliamen passed the Intollerable Acts. This was a series of laws to punish the MA colony, and to serve as a warning to other colonies. The Brithish called these laws the corrective acts,but they where so harsh that the colonists called them the Intollerable Acts. -
Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty, or give me death" speech
Patrick Henry was a member of Virginia's House of Burgress. Aot of colonial leaders where protesting vigorously. They all believed that it was unfair how the parliament taxed them without their concent. Patrick Henry called for rennisance. When someone shouted that rennisance was treason, Henry said "If this is treason, make the most of it." -
Paul Revere & William Dawes "Midnight Rides"
Paul Revere was a Boston silver smith. William Dawes was his scond messeanger. They where both charged with sreading news about the movement of British troops. Paul Revere aranged a system of signals to alert the colonies in Charels Town. If one lantern burned in the old church steeple, the troop where comeing into land. If two, there were comeing by water. Revere went across water and Dawes took the land route. -
Battles of Lexington & Concord
On April 19th 1775 at dawn, 700 British troops came to Lexington. They found Captian John Parker and 70 militia men. The British commander orderd the American's to drop their muskets. Within a few miniutes eight militia men died. The Brithish then marched to Concord and destroyed military suppies. 4000 militia men and soldies lined up from Lexington to Concord. Lexington and Concord where the first battels oof the Revolutionary War. -
Second Continental Congress
On May 10th 1775 the Second Continental Congress began meing in Philidalphia. Some delagates were John nd Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington,and Patrick Henry. At the Second Continental Congress they agreed to form the continental army. The congress also authorized he printing of paper money to pay the troops. -
Ft. Tconderoga Seized by Ethan Allen &Green Mountain Boys
On May 10th 1770 Americans attacked Britians Fort Ticonderoga, on the New York side of lake Champlain. Ethan Allen led this band of backwoodsmen known as the Green Mountian Boys. They captured a large supply of artillery cannons, and large guns. -
Washington named Commander and Cheif of Continental Army & Navy
George Washington was from Virgina. He was choosen as the continental Armys commanding general. He had previously served as a colonial officer with the Brithish during the French and Indian War. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
In June 1775 tensions were building in Boston. Militia Men seized Bunker Hill. Thr redcoats won the battle of Bunker Hill. More than 1,00 were killed or wounded, with some 400 militi casualties. -
Amertican Forces under Benedict Arnold fail to seize Quebec
Contenental Army troops were to invade Quebec, in eatstern Canada. They hoped to draw Canadinas into the patriot camp. One of the leaders of the expedition was Benedict Arnold. He was an officer who played a role in the victory at fort ticondaroga. Arnold arrived at Quebec in 1775. Harsh winter settled in and the Americans failed their attack. -
Continental Army wins at Princeton
The Americans captured or killed 900 Hessions, and Washington's army won anothe victory at Princeton eight days later. -
Thomas Paine publishes "Common Sense"
In the early 1776 most Americans still wanted to aviod a final break with Britain. However, the publication of a pamphlet titled Common Sense helped convince many Americans that a complete break from Britain this pamphet was writien by Thomas Piane, an immirgrant from England. This document was a success, within three months it sold more than 100,000 copies. -
British Evacuate Boston
Continental Army surrinded British forces in Boston MA. Neither forces were willing to break off but help for Washington was on the way, bringing cannon's from Ft. Ticonderoga. Washington took these cannon's and his troupes to Dorchester Heights, over looking Boston. General Howe, the man in charge of British troops decided to withdraw his soilders. On March 17, 1776 9000 British soldiers departed Boston in more than 100 ships. Also more than 1000 Loyalist supporters left with the British. -
Declaration of Independance Adopted
On July 4, 1776 congress adopted a document that created Independance. This document was called "The Decleration of Independance". John Hancock was the first to sign this document. The main idea of the Declaration of Independace was based on John Locke's philosophy. The idea was that people have rights that the government cannot take away. Women and slaves were left out of the Declaration of Independance. -
Hessian Mercanaries Arrive to fight for Brithish
In July 1776 British General, William Howe, came to New York with a large army. In Augest arrived, including 9,000 Hessian Mercanaries Brtian hired their Mercanaries from Germany. For many months, the American and British armies faught for New York. Eventually the Brithish forced Washington to retreat through New Jersey. -
British Win Battle of Long Island, New York
U.S lost 2,100 men at from a group of 10,000. the British had bigger and better tacties. -
British Occupy New York City
The British take New York and force Washington and his men out. Loyalist are at more ease in New York -
Battle of Trenton
Washington made a plan to cross the Delaware River on Christmas night, and surronded the Hession garrison -
Marquis de Lafayette arrives in colonies
American's gained a little military experience that they needed. Many European military officers came to Washington's aid. Marquis de Lafayette was a 19 year old French Nobleman who offered to serve in Washington's army. Lafayette quickly gained Washington's confedance and was given command of an army division. Lafayette became "the soldiers friend" as he bought soldiers warm clothing. Lafayette fought in many battle and became a hero in both France and America. -
Battle of Saratoga
September 19, 1777 to October 17, 1777: On October 7, Benedict Arnold led charges against the British. Although many musketts were firing at thim he trotted through the battlefield like a "mad man". A bullet then tore into Arnold's leg. As Arnold was recovering from his injury he married a Loyalist. Over time Arnold came to feel that congress had not rewarded him enough for his heroic actions at Saratoga. Therefore he betrayed his army. This convinced Europeans we might win our war. -
British Occupy Philadelphia
On August 4, 1777 General John Burgoyne got a message from Howe that said he would not be comming north, because he was going to invade Pennsylvania, and try to capture General Washington and Philadelphia where congress met. Howe did not invade Philadelphia, but he did invade Pennsylvania. On Sept. 26, 1777 Howe defeated but did not capture Washington at the Battle of Brandywine. -
British Win Battle of Germantown
In September 1777, General Howe defeated but did not capture Washington at the Battle of Brandywine. Then Howe occupied Philadelphia. In October, Washington attacked Howe at Germantown. Washington lost the battle and retreated. -
Valley Forge
In late 1777, Howe defeated Washington causing him to retreat from Philadelphia. Starting in the winter of 1777, Washington's army camped in Valley Forge. On the way there, Washington's army was short supplies. The soldiers lacked blankets, clothes, shoes and food. These conditions did not change when they reached camp. 25% died from malnutrition and exposure to disease. -
US and French Alliance
In the fall of 1776 Congress sent Franklin to Paris to pursuade France to become allies with the US. When he got to Paris, Franklin was treated as a celeberty but the French refused to be allies with America. The French still gave secret aid to the Americans. Following the victory at Saratoga, King Louis XV of France recognized the US fight for independance and signed two treaties of alliance with the US. -
British abandon Philadelphia and return to New York City
When the British heard of the American alliance with France, they fled Philadelphia for New York City. -
British capture Ft. Savannah, GA
The British believed most Southerners to be Loyalists. The British also believed that if they won southern land the Loyalists would "hold" it for them. These beliefs influanced the British to start war with the south. The British thought they'd have many southern slave recruits because Brittan promised them freedom when they won the war. In Dec. 1778 the British captured Ft. Savannah, using it as a base, then capturing most of GA. -
Battle of Vincennes/Ft. Sackville
Feb 23-24, 1779: Following Clarke's 1778 frontier recruit along the Ohio River, he gained a force of 175-200 men. Clarke and his group went to Kaskaskia on the Mississippi where they won without a fight. Then they set out east for Vincennes in 1779. The British did not expect to be attacked because the banks were flooded. They caught the British by surprise at Vincennes, where the British gave up. -
Spain declairs war on Brittan
In1779, France persuaded it's ally, Spain to protect the US. Spain was also Brittan's rival. The Spanish Governor of Louisianna, Gen. Bernardo DeGalvez acted quickly. He captured the British strongholds of Naches and Boston Rogue in the lower Mississippi Valley. All of DeGalvez' victories helped extend Spains empire in North America. -
Battle of Flamebourgh Head
In 1779 John Paul Jones became the commander of the Bonhomme Richard, a Naval ship. In Sept. while that and 4 other ships patrolled the coast, Jones was approached a convoy where 2 British warships were guarding supplies. When the British Captain commanded Jones to backdown, he replied "I have not yet begun to fight." -
British Capture Charleston SC
The British believed Southerners to be Loyalists, so they decided to move the war to the South. The British also believed that if they gained southern territory, the Loyalists would hold it for them. In 1780, British army led by Gen. Henry Clinton landed in S.C. They trapped American soldiers in the largest city in the south; Charleston. Charleston's 5000 defenders surrendered leading us to the worst defeat in the war. -
First French Troops arrive to help American War Effort
Still bitter by the loss of their N. American colonies in the French and Indian War, France hoped to help American colonies break free of British rule. In 1776 they began giving secret aid to America, not wanting to loose a second time, they did not become public allies until they felt America proved they could win battles. Marquis de Lafayette pursuaded the king to send 6000 troops to America to help. -
Gen. Benedict Arnold Commits Treason
Sept. 21-25, 1780: On Oct. 7 a Battle broke out and Benedict Arnold led daring charges against the British. Although multiple musketts were firing Arnold galloped around like a madman. Then married a Loyalist while recovering from a shot he received in his leg. Overtime he came to believe he had not been properly rewarded by congress for his heroism in the Battle of Saratoga. In 1780 he agreed to turn over an American fort to Brittan. -
Battle of Kings Mountain, SC
This battle was fought on the border of North and South Carolina. American's surrounded a force of 1000 Loyalists, Malitia and British Soldiers. America slaughtered most of them. -
Articles of Confederation Adopted
In 1776, the continental congress began to develop a plan for national government. Congress agreed that government should be a Republic. The delegates disagreed if the national government or individual states should control the land west of the Apalachians. The congress eventually arrived at a final plan called the Articles of Confederation. In the Articles the national government had few powers because many Americans were afraid a strong government leads to tyranny or oppressive rule. -
French Fleet drives British out of Chesapeke Bay
In 1781 the British Gen. Cornwallace set up his base at Yorktown, located on the peninsula at Chesapeke Bay. From there his army could receive supplies by ship from New York. Washington saw Cornwallace's decision as a great opportunity then a large French fleet arrived from the W.Indies and blocked Chesapeke Bay, preventing them from recieving supplies and escaping. -
Battle of Yorktown
Sept. 28-Oct. 19, 1781: The last major battle of the Revolutionary War resulting in the surrender of British forces. -
British Troops Return to Britian
July 17, 1782- Nov. 1783: The last few ships take all of the Redcoats and Loyalists back to Brittan. -
Treaty of Paris
The treaty that ended the Revolutionary War, confirming the independance of the United States and setting boundaries of the new nation. -
US Constitution Signed
The US Constitution signed by all of the members of the Continental Congress, one of them being Thomas Jefferson.
