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French & Indian War
The War began unofficially in 1755 Before the French and Indian War started, the French had claim to most of America; all of Canada and the land that stretched to Louisiana. This left the English with not room to expand and call their own. They still expanded, but it was into French land and this caused a stir. This forced the French to try and force the English out and the English did thier best to irritate the French until they left. -
The Sugar Act
The sugar act reduced the rate of tax payed on Molasses per gallon and also added more things to the list of foreign goods that are to be taxed. Some of these goods included sugar, certain wine, coffee, and several others. This act also regulated the export of lumber and iron. This act caused an imediate decrease in the rum industry and trades with outsiders such as: Madeira, the Canary Islands, the French West Indies. This all resulted in reducing the market and amount of currency. -
Currency Act
The Currency Act stopped the printing of any new bills and forced people to redistribute the already printed bills. This caused any bills to be destroyed and forced the colonists to use 'Hard Currency'. It also changed the way the law worked. Anyone suspected of Smuggling or any other violation would have a hearing with the British laws instead of the Colonists laws. -
Stamp Act
It was an act to provide govornment authority over the colonies. The Britains were in a great debt after the seven year war and this act would raise the taxes on the colonists to the level of the people living in Britain. -
Boston Massacre
The conflict between the Boston Garrison Soldiers and Colonialists became worse and worse until finally a small disturbance caused by a British soldier and a local merchant brought on a riot. The Colonial Mob taunted the British soldiers, assigned there by Captain Thomas Preston, but did not do anything. That is until one of the soldiers was struck by a club that any action took place. three colonists were killed in this event by gunshots along with two mortaly wounded. This cuased them to rebel -
Boston Tea Party
Parliament authorized the East India Tea Co. to expot half a million pounds of tea to the Americans to save them from bankruptcy. This way they could undersell any other tea sold in the colonies, including smuggled tea. Many did not like this idea in the least bit.
When the ships carrying the tea arrived in Boston they were not allowed to unload their cargo. Several men dressed up as Indians when they heard the news, fearing that it would be put out for sale, and dumped 342 chests into the ocean -
Continental Congress
It was the formal way by which the colonial gov'ts coordinated their resistance against English rule during the first two years of the Revolutionary War. It balanced the interests of the different colonies and established itself as the colonial liaison with Great Britain. As the battle went on, the Congress became the effective national gov't of the country and conducted deplomacy on behalf of the new United States. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
Seven hundred men were sent to destroy the weaponry depot at Concord when Major General Thomas Gage heard about the rebels plans to revolt. The Patriots are warned by the British regulars approach and a scout is sent to watch. The Patriots are told to hide in the brush and await their approach. In the end Eight of the Patriots were killed and nine others are wounded.Hearing what happened in Lexington, the watchers of the weaponry depot begin to hide numerous amounts of weapons and supplies. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
On June 15 of 1775, the colonists heard that the British planned to control the Charlestown peninsula, so General Prescott took 1,200 men to Bunker Hill, which overlooked Boston and its harbor, to dig and fortify it in the cover in the night to have an advantage over the Redcoats. The British technically won the battle of Bunker Hill, but they didn't enjoy it because they suffered too many losses; they were just supposed to scare the colonists away, so many of their muskets weren't even loaded. -
Declaration of Independence
Adopted in 1776 John Hancock, Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry, Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery,Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott, William Floyd, Philip Linvingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris, Richar Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark, Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clyer, James Smith, George Taylor, -
Declaration of Independence
James Wilson, George Ross, Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean, Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll, Beorge Wythe, Richar Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton, William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn, Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward Jr. Thomas Lynch Jr., Arthur Middleton, Button Gwinett, Lyman Hall, Gearge Walton -
Battle of Brandywine
British General Howe wanted Philadelphia, so they approached it from the Chesapeake, but Washington was confident they could be stopped, so he chose the high ground in the area of Chadds Ford to defend against the advance. Howe outsmarted Washington by ordering some of his men to march to Chadds Ford, but the majority marched to Wistar's Ford and flanked the American forces. When they realized this, they tried to rally, but with the surprise, they couldn't and the British won. -
Articles of Confederation
It was the new constitution. And they helped form the new independent America away from the British rule. Also to help gear up for war against the British. -
The Paris Peace Treaty of 1783
The Treaty between King George and the United States was signed in September 30 of 1783. It stated that the United States would be its own nation and that the British Empire didn't have any hold over it, the United States were totally independent.
