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The French and Indian War
The French and Indian WarThe French were expanding their empire near the Ohio River. This brought conflict between the French and British since British colonies were there. In 1763, they had a conference on how to end the war and create peace between them. During this peace conference, the Treaty of Paris was signed. -
Royal Proclamation
Royal ProclamationThe British Parliament Passed the Royal Proclamation to make peace between them and the Indians. The Proclamation stated that the colonists couldn't live west of the Appalachian Mountains. -
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of ParisThe Treaty of Paris was signed in 1763. It ended the French and Indian War. The English got land between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River from the Treaty. -
Sugar Act
Sugar ActThe British taxed sugar, wine, etc to get more money to help protect the colonists from the Indians, Many colonists hated the Sugar Act and began to boycott. This made the colonists unite. -
Stamp Act
Stamp ActThis Act was the first try form the Parliment for the government to get control over the colonies. This Act put taxes on every piece of printed paper the colonists used. -
Stamp Act Congress
Stamp Act CongressThis Congress would be made up of representatives from all of the colonies. They met in New York. It's mission was to stand up to Britain and have their message heard. The colonists oppossed being "taxed without representation". -
Townshend Acts
Townshend ActsNamed after Charles Townshend, "chief treasurer of the British Empire" this was passed a year after the Stamp Act was stopped. The Townshend Acts provided Britain with money to help manage the colonies. This meant the colonists were "taxed" on imports. -
Boston Massacre
Boston MassacreColonists hated the idea of the British army in Boston. When the British army arrived in October of 1768, anger grew between the British and the colonists. A fight broke out where snowballs and ice was thrown. British soldiers fired into the crowd and the massacre resulted in five men (colonists) being killed by British soldiers. -
Boston Tea Party
Boston Tea PartyNot appreciating the taxation policies, the colonists dressed as Mohawk Indians and climbed aboard 3 British ships and threw 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. -
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First Continental Congress
Each colony sent a representative of their colony to Congress. They formed this Congress because the colonists wanted to get rid of Intolerable Acts and bring back the pre-taxation years they had. -
Patrick Herny "Give Me Liberty"
Patrick Henry "Give Me Liberty"Patrick Henry spoke these words when he tried to convince Virginians to "arm in self defense". "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death! Lord Dunmore, the royal governor got rid of gunpowder in Williamsburg forcing Henry's militia to retreive it thus beginning the Revolutionary War in Virginia. -
Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
Midnight Ride of Paul RevereHe was sent to alarm the colonists what way the British were coming. If two lanterns were hung in the bell-tower of Christ Church in Boston, then the British were coming by crossing the Charles River. If one lantern was hung the redcoats would come by land. Paul Revere arrived in Lexington about midnight shouting, "The Regulars ar coming out!, The Regulars are out!" -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Battles of Lexington and ConcordThe battle of Lexington began the Revolutionary War. The Battle of Lexington started with the fire of a single gun shot. No one knows who fired first. "Don't fire unless fired upon. But if they want a war let it begin heres" said Captain John Parker, commander of the Minutesmen.
Discovering that John Hancock and Samuel Adams were not there, British troops moved to Concord for ammunition. The minutemen attacked at Concord's North bridge causing the British to retreat. -
Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga Located on Lake Champlain, the rebels (U.S. colonists) attacked the fort because they needed more ammunition and cannons for the "Seige of Boston". The rebels knew the Fort held ammuniton so while the British soldiers were sleeping the rebels entered and quickly captured it from the British. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker HillThe goal was to take control of Bunker Hill but instead they went to Breed's Hill to fight the British. When the British woke, they were surprised and began to fight the colonists. Before this happened, the colonists lined up around the perimeter of Boston, trapping the British in Boston. -
"Common Sense" Published
Common SenseWritten by Thomas Paine, this pamphlet helped the fight for freedom for the american colonies. He gave reasons why it was a good idea to separate from England. Months after publication, the Declaration of Independence was approved. Future essays from him reinforced citizens views on being independent from England. -
British Evacuate Boston
British Evacuate BostonIt was also known as the Seige of Boston which lasted 11 months. The Seige of Boston started to come to a close by George Washington capturing Dorchester Heights. From this point, Washington fired cannons at the British ships that were moored in Boston Harbor. This resulted in the British retreating from Boston. -
Second Continental Congress meets
Second Continental Congress meetsThis Congress decided to declare independence form Great Britain. They meet after the Battles of Lexington and Concord. This congress also formed the American Continental Army under the leadership of George Washington. -
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence wasn't signed until July 8, 1776. The approval of Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence was in secret. On July 8th the Declaration of Independence was read to the citizens followed by the first firework celebration. -
The Crisis
The CrisisWritten by Thomas Paine, these pamphlets described the beginning of the American Revolution and his life. They were about being a self governing independent country. Washington thought it was so inspirational that he read them to the soldiers at Valley Forge to boost their spirits. -
Washington Captures Trenton
Washington Captures TrentonThe battle took place right after George Washington crossed the Delaware River. The army entered Treton at two points. The army marched in from the west and from the north. A Hessian lieutenant mistakenly told Johann Rall that the whole city was surrounded by american soldiers. Rall's plans were to counterattack Washington but since Washington's had a full view of what Rall was doing, it was to his advantage. Finally, the Hessian's retreated east of Trenton and surrendered. -
British Defeated at Saratoga
British Defeated at Saratoga"Was the turning point of the Revolutionary War." General John Burgoyne decided to use the divide-and-conquer strategy to fight the americans. This strategy was not that successful because the other part ot the army veered off track attacking another location instead of meeting up with Burgoyne. During this battle "86% of Burgoyne's command was captured." -
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Winter at Valley Forge, PA
Located 20 miles south of Philidelphia, the Continental Army made camp here. The conditions were brutal for them; no boots, warm clothing, food, guns, or proper shelter. Officers were not getting paid which made it more difficult to get the right supplies. Though it was tough, the men learned discipline and more training. -
Benedict Arnolds plans found out
Benedict Arnold was a general during the American Revolutionary War, and led attacks on the British during the Battles of Saratoga and Fort Ticonderoga. He became a traitor as he greedily began to sell military secrets to the British about the number and location of the American military troops. He met with Major Andre to surrender Westpoint to the British for 20,000 pounds, but he was discovered. So he defected to the British Armies. -
John Paul Jones defeats the Serapis
John Paul Jones defeats the SerapisThe battle took place off the coast of England. Jones engages in battle with the Serapis and utters the words, "I have not yet begun to fight!" . When fire broke out on Serapis, it forced a surrender. Jones ship was falling apart so they they boarded the Serapis to return home. -
Cornwalli Surrenders to the Americans
Cornwalli Surrenders to the Americans It ended "the major fighting in the American Revolution". Cornwalli's surrendered because he was fighting with "disease, a lack of supplies, inclement weather, and a failed evacuation." Cornwalli and Washington then wrote three articles entitled The Articles of Capitulation.
