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The French and Indian War
In 1754, the French and Indian War, part of a larger French-British struggle for empires, started in the colonies (Ignitia.com Editors). Some Americans fought with the British (Ignitia.com Editors). The first years of war, France won impressive victories but due to the series of smaller battles, French became defeated at the Battle of Quebec in 1759 (Ignitia.com Editors). The hostilities between the two countries just begun (Ignitia.com Editors). -
King George III
King George III ascended the English throne (Ignitia.com Editors). Being born in England and educated, George III had no intention of being a figurehead like his father (Ignitia.com Editors). Wanting to rule in all areas of his empire, the king insisted the Navigation Acts be followed by the colonists (Ignitia.com Editors). Futher taxes were levied on colonists to pay British officials and the British army (Ignitia.com Editors). -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act required that British tax stamps to be placed on documents when the tax was paid (Ignitia.com Editors). The Stamp Act was the first British parliamentary attempt to use direct taxation on all documents (britannica.com). Trying to please the colonists, the English explained that the money would be used in defense of the American colonies (Ignitia.com Editors). The colonists didn't care (Ignitia.com Editors). The Stamp Act was repealed (Ignitia.com Editors). -
The Boston Tea Party
You might think that this was a big, huge tea party in Boston but it is entirely different. This action took a huge step closer to war with Britain (Ignitia.com Editors). That night many colonists dressed up like Indians (they were on a British ship) and dumped 342 boxes full of tea into the ocean (Ignitia.com Editors). That is why they called it the tea party. In Britannica it says, "...thrown from ships into Boston Harbor by American patriots disguised as Mohawk Indians (britannica.com). -
First Continental Congress
The first official meeting of the colonial occurred September 5, 1774 (Ignitia.com Editors). This would be the governing body of the combined colonies (Ignitia.com Editors). This was getting ready for the most dramatic scenes in the young nation's history, the War for Independence (Ignitia.com Editors). -
The Second Continental Congress
This was held in Philadelphia's Carpenter's Hall (Ignitia.com Editors). George Washington became commander of the newly colonial army (this was quartered somewhere around Boston) (Ignitia.com Editors). The committee was of five people Thomas Jefferson from Virginia, Benjamin Franklin from Pennsylvania, John Adams from Massachusetts, Robert Livingston from New York, and Roger Sherman from Connecticut were to make a draft of the declaration of independence (Ignitia.com Editors). -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord/ The Ride of Paul Rever
General Gage led a British force to Lexington, Massachusetts (Ignitia.com Editors). The colonists, however, were warned by fast riders even Paul Revere (Ignitia.com Editors). Paul Rever is known for his famous warning, "The British are coming, the British are coming!" (britannica.com). He warned everyone. Then the minutemen went to the battle (Ignitia.com Editors). Moving to Concord, two hundred British soldiers killed or wounded forced them to go back to Boston (Ignitia.com Editors). -
The Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was passed and signed (Ignitia.com Editors)! I bet there was a massive party! Church bells rang from all directions and paraded blocking the street (Ignitia.com Editors). We are finally independent of England and under the power of God. The nations of Europe doubted their chances of success (Ignitia.com Editors). -
The Most Exciting Colonial Victory
At sea, the colonists were greatly outnumbered (Ignitia.com Editors). The most exciting victory of the war on the seas occurred, when the American ship, Bonhomme Richard, captured the English ship, Seraphis (Ignitia.com Editors). During a period of time, the British commander asked Jones if he wanted to surrender, and Jones said, "I have not yet begun to fight." (Ignitia.com Editors). -
The Treaty of Paris
King George III, made a formal peace treaty which was called The Treaty of Paris (Ignitia.com Editors). This ended the war with England and the Americans won their independence (Ignitia.com Editors). The people who signed The Treaty of Paris was John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay (Ignitia.com Editors).