American Revolution

French and Indian War ends

Feb 10, 1763

http://www.ushistory.org/Declaration/related/frin.htmThe French and Indian War is also known as the Seven Years War and ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris by France, Great Britain and Spain. France lost Canada and was forced to give Lousiana to Spain. Britain received upper Canada, Spanish Florida, and numerous overseas French holdings. The treaty made sure that Britain had the colonial and maritime supremacy and the 13 colonies were made stronger by taking away European rivals from the north and the south.

Sugar Act

Apr 5, 1764

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/sugaract.htmThe Sugar Act decreased the tax rate on molasses from six pence to three pence per gallon. Other things taxed were sugar, specific wines, coffee, piemento, cambric, and printed calico. They also regulated lumber and iron exported into the country. In general, the Act made it difficult for the colonial economy because it decreased what they could sell and the amount of currency that they had to buy manufactured goods from Britain. It was one of the acts that led up to revolt for the Stamp Act.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/stampactdef.htmThe Stamp Act was the first direct British tax on American colonists. It forced the colonists to place a stamp on every newspaper, pamphlet, and other public and legal document. They had been sending these documents for free before, so many groups formed against Britain, such as the Sons and Liberty and the diplomatic body called the Stamp Act Congress. The British government eventually repealed the act in March 1766.

Townshend Acts

May 29, 1767

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/townshendactsdef.htmThe Townshend Acts were named after Charles Townshend, who is the British Chancellor of the Exchequer (Treasurer). The acts placed new taxes on glass, lead, paper, paints, and tea. People reacted with force much like they did with the other acts. Great Britain eventually repealed the taxes on all of these items except for tea.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

http://americanhistory.about.com/od/revolutionarywar/a/boston_massacre.htmThere were a small group of colonists who were bugging the British soldiers. One of the sentries lashed out at the colonists and more colonists began to arrive. The sentry begain calling for help and the clash began. Captain Thomas Preston led a group of soldiers to rescue the sentry and they tried to calm the crowd. A soldier fired a musket into the crowd and many were left wounded and five were dead, including Crispus Attucks, an African American. These are some facts, but alot is uncertain.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h646.htmlParliament passed the Tea Act of 1773. It allowed the company to sell the tea at a really low price even lower than smuggled tea with the required duty. The British thought that the Americans wouldn't have a problem paying a tax if the the price of the tea was low. Colonists rebelled and threw all of the tea overboard into the harbor.

Coercive Acts

Mar 31, 1774

<a href='' >http://www.historyhome.co.uk/c-eight/america/coercive.htm</a>The Coercive Acts consisted of the Boston Port Act (March 31), the Massachusetts Bay Regulating Act (May 20), the Administration of Justice Act (May 20), and the Quartering Act (June 2). These were passed as punishment for Massachusetts' rebellion as a warning for the other colonies. They are also called the "Intolerable Acts."

Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/congress.htmThe Continental Congress met at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They were considered like the governing body over the colonies although the King and Parliament were still in control of everything.

Lexington and Concord "Shot Heard Round the World"

Apr 19, 1775

http://theamericanrevolution.org/battledetail.aspx?battle=1The Battles of Lexington and Concord were considered the first battles of the American Revolution. They were the first open armed conflict between Great Britain and the thirteen colonies.

Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 1775

http://www.ducksters.com/history/battle_of_bunker_hill.phpThe Americans found at the British were going take over the hills surrounding Boston in order to have a tactical advantage. The Americans moved to Bunker and Breeds HIll and built up forts there during the night. The next day, the British attacked. The British won the battle but at a high price because they lost many men. This battle showed that the Americans had a chance and could stand up against the British, so more colonists joined the army.