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Fort Niagara
British defeated on Lake Ontario -
The French and Indian War
Started in 1754 and ended in 1763. -
French built forts in Ohio River Valley to claim territory
Virginia Company opposed French expansion
1754-1763 -
George Washington (21 years old) led British troop
Fort Necessity: Washington forced to surrender to larger French force
1754-1763 -
The Albany Congress: Colonial leaders met to discuss potential war
Ben Franklin's "Join or Die" snake image published
Proposed union of states (Albany Plan) rejected by colonies
1754-1763 -
Fort Duquesne
General Edward Braddock's defeat
European-style tactics ineffective against French and Native American guerrilla warfare -
Britain officially declared war on France, beginning the Seven Years' War
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William Pitt became prime minister
Chose general James Wolfe to lead his army. -
France ceded territories to Britain
Britain gained control of all territory east of the Mississippi (except New Orleans) -
Pontiac's war
Ottawa leader Pontiac formed alliance of Western tribes
Attacked British forts and settlers, killing about 2,000
Settlers retaliated against all Native Americans
1763-1764 -
Proclamation of 1763
Banned colonial settlement west of Appalachian Mountains
Angered many colonists who ignored or resisted the proclamation -
France ceded territories to Britain
Britain gained control of all territory east of the Mississippi (except New Orleans) -
The Sugar Act:
ew tax on molasses and stricter smuggling penalties -
The Stamp Act
Tax on various paper products and documents -
The Quartering Act:
Colonists required to house and supply British soldiers -
Townshend Acts
New import duties and search powers (Writs of Assistance) -
Battle of Trenton
Battle of Trenton -
Boston Massacre
Conflict between colonists and British soldiers -
Battle of Saratoga
Major American victory
Convinced France to ally with the Revolutionaries -
The Call for Independence
Continental Congress voted for independence -
The Shot Heard 'Round the World
British troops marched to seize weapons in Concord
Paul Revere and William Dawes warned colonists -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
First armed conflict of the American Revolution
British retreated to Boston, suffering heavy losses
"Minutemen": Colonial militia ready to fight at a moment's notice
First official action of the Revolutionary War -
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
Argued for self-governance
Stimulated support for independence
Virginia Resolution: Formal statement -
Continental Congress voted for independence
Approved by Congress on July 4, 1776 (signed August 2, 1776) -
Valley Forge (Winter 1777-1778)
Harsh conditions for Continental Army
The citizens provide an overwhelming support for the troops.
The Brits partied while the Americans trained
Brits had control of cities, Americans had the rural areas -
Treaty of Paris
Britain recognized U.S. independence
Defined new nation's boundaries -
Impacts of the Revolution
Created 13 independent states united as one nation
Spread ideas of liberty and equality
Inspired other revolutions, including the French Revolution