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French and Indian War
a conflict in North America from 1754-1763 that was part of a struggle between France and Britain (France lost) -
Proclamation of 1763
this was an order in which Britain prohibited American colonists from settling west of the Appalacian Mountains, this was unknown territory that occupied a large piece of America -
Sugar Act
a trade law enacted by Parliament; attempt to reduce smuggling in the British Colonies -
Stamp Act
a law that established direct taxation of goods and services within the colonies -
Townshend Acts
these acts taxed goods that were immported into the colony from Britain (led to the Boston Tea Party) -
Boston Massacre
a clash of British soldiers vs. British colonists
(5 colonists killed) -
Boston Tea Party
when colonists dumped 18,000 pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act -
Tea Act
this act was aimed toward helping the East India Company in the colonial tea business and shut out colonial tea merchants -
Intolerable Acts
King George closes Boston Harbor and quarters troops -
First Continental Congress Meets
56 delegates met in Philiidelphia to create a declaration of colonial rights. (rightd to their own affairs and ability to fight back) -
Second Continental Congress
Colonials leaders debate their next move in the Revolution. Some called for indepence and some called for reconcilation. they agreed to recognize the colonial militia and appointed George Washington its commander -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Colonists waited until the last minute to mow down the advancing British troops. Colonists lost 450 men but British lost over 1,000. this was the deadliest battle of the war -
Olive Branch Petition
Congress was readying colonists for war but still had hope for peace. Congress sent this petition, urging to return to former harmony. The King rejected their plea -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
these battles were the start of the american revolution. colonists had become enemies of britain and now held Boston and its encampment of British troops under siege -
Publication of Common Sense
50 page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in which he attacked King George and the monarchy. sold nearly 500,000 copies in 1776 and was widely applauded -
Sons of Liberty is formed
a group formed to stop British taxation on the colonies (rebels) -
Declaration of Independence
declared the rights of "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" and natural, unalienable rights. stated the all men are created equal -
Early British Victories
British attempted to sieze New York in the summer of 1776 with a force of about 32,000 soldiers. After a victory by the Continental Army, the British regrouped and in September 1777 they captured the American capital at Philadelphia -
Early Continental Army Victories
On Christmas night of 1776, Washington led 2,400 men in small rowboats across the Delaware River, and defeated a garrison of Hessians in a surprise attack.American troops surrounded General Burgoyne's troops at Saratoga when his backup failed to respond, he surrendered on October 17, 1777 -
Saratoga
American troops surrounded General Burgoyne's troops at Saratoga when his backup (other troops) failed to respond because they were busy holding the capital, he surrendered on October 17, 1777. As a result, France signed an alliance with the Americans in February 1778 and openly joined them in their fight -
Friedrich von Steuben and Marquis de Lafayette
Friedrich von Steuben and Marquis de Lafayette were military leaders that offered their help to the taining of the Continental Army during their camp at Valley Forge. they helped transform the army into an effective fighting force -
Valley Forge
the Continental Army was running desperately low on food and supplies and were fighting to stay alive at winter camp in Valley Forge. over 2,000 soldiers died, however the rest did not desert -
British Victories in the South
after their defeat at Saratoga, the British shifted their operations to the South. they took Savannah, Georgia. In their greatest victory of the war, the british captured Charles Town, South Carolina and continued to conquer land in the South while General Clinton left for New York -
British Surrender at Yorktown
British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered his 8,000 British troops against the Continental Army in Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, 1781 -
Treaty of Paris
Treaty was signed on September 3, 1783, and ended the American Revolutionary War against Great Britain. France, Spain and the Dutch Republic had separate agreements in this