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French and Indian War
The British colonists needed land but the French had already settled in that part of North America. This led to conflict. Before the war, George Washington had led an army against the French and was defeated. The British then declared war on the French. The war took place over the Ohio River Valley. The British won and took over Quebec in 1759.
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Proclamation of 1763
After the British defeated the French, they decided that they needed to tighten their controls. They set boundaries that restricted people from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. They did this to avoid conflict with the Native Americans. Video -
The Sugar Act
During this time, British legislation tried to stop the trade of smuggling sugar. They were trying to stop the trade between the French and the Dutch West Indies. They did this by putting a tax on the sugar and molasses. Video -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a way for the British to help pay for the cost of the war through the colonists. They did this by taxing newspapers, pamphlets, legal papers, etc. Many people did not like this because there was no colonial representation. Video -
Quartering Act
During the Quartering Act, Great Britain housed its soldiers in public homes. They expected there to always be a place for their soldiers to stay even if people needed to leave their homes. It also required people to provide food, drinks, fuel, and ways of transportation. Video -
Townshend Acts
It was a British tax law that was placed on imported goods like tea, paint, lead, etc. They did this to help pay for the costs of the French and Indian War. The colonists resisted this law which brought tension between the British and the Colonists. They were there to fight for their independence. Video -
Boston Massacre
During this time there was a lot of tension between the colonists and the British. Colonists reacted to policies that they did not agree with by boycotting them. The British did not like that, and they brought more troops in. One day war broke out and 5 colonists were killed resulting in the Boston Massacre. Video -
Tea Act
Company. The British needed the money so they taxed things like tea. All of this money was given to the government. Video -
Boston Tea Party
The British took away tax from most imported goods during this time, except tea. The colonists did not like this so they boycotted the tea from the East India Company. After the East India Company reached bankruptcy, they lowered the price of tea but the colonists still did not get the representation in parliament that they had wanted. They rebelled by dumping 342 chests of tea into the water at Griffins Wharf.
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First Continental Congress
This was the first government form of the 13 American Colonies. The congress was made up of colonial delegates. They came together when they disagreed with the unfair taxes that the British had put out. One example would be the Intolerable Acts.
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Intolerable Act
Military powers of the government had increased during this time. More soldiers needed a place to stay and citizens did not like that so they started to resist any housing. They resisted the Quartering Act which brought them into the Intolerable Acts. Video -
Common Sense
Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. In that pamphlet, he explained reasons that were easy to understand as to why the colonies should break away from England and declare their independence.
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Lexington and Concord
During this war, colonists defied British authority. The colonists outnumbered the Redcoats and fought for their independence. After winning this war, it gave them the confidence to keep fighting. This marked the very first battle of the Revolutionary War. Video -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill came to be with the colonists rebelling against the taxes that the British were putting on goods. The British did not like that and that was when war broke out. This war was one of the bloodiest wars fought over a hilly landscape. The British won this war but it proved to them that the Americans were not going to give up.
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Olive Branch Petition
This petition was sent to the King. It was sent as a last attempt to prevent any formal war from happening. This petition tried to bring peace with the British king but he refused it. He hoped that there would be more reconciliation.
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Second Continental Congress
The meeting of delegates from the 13 American colonies that came together to support the American Revolution. Their job was to take charge of the war. They made the decisions on where and when they were going to battle and fight for their independence.
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Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence stated the colonists broke away from the British. It stated all of the violations of the freedom of colonists done by King George. The Declaration of Independence also contained Enlightenment ideas and inspirations outside of the United States.
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Battle Trenton
During this battle, America took the victory. This was known as George Washington's first success during the Revolutionary War. This regenerated and restored America's morale as well as bringing confidence. Video -
Battle of New York
George Washington tried to secure New York City. This led to the Revolutionary War's biggest battle. The United States was battled and defeated by the British. The British then had access to the valuable port for the rest of the war. Video -
Battle of Saratoga
This battle was a turning point during the Revolutionary War. The Americans had defeated the British. This brought up their morale and gave them hope for independence. They also gained support from foreigners which helped in winning their fight for independence. Video -
Valley Forge
Valley Forge was the winter of encampment of the army of General George Washington. The army experienced food shortages and brutal weather. They lived through disease and other deaths. During this time the Redcoats were staying warm in colonial homes.
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Battle of Monmouth
This battle was won by the United States after the British had left the battlegrounds. This battle increased our morale and strengthened General George Washington's position as commander. This battle was one of the biggest and longest one-day battles.
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Battle of Yorktown
This battle is what gave America its independence. With support from the French army and navy, Washinton led his army and defeated Lord Charles's veteran army. After taking the victory, this led to peace negotiations and the end of the American Revolutionary War. America won its Independence. Video -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was a document that was signed to bring an end to the war. It stated that the United States would be recognized as independent. It established the borders of the new nation and established its western territories.Video