American Revolution Timeline

Stamp Act of 1765

Mar 22, 1765

The stamp act made colonists pay taxes for every piece of printed paper they used. Since the colonists did not agree with the act, Massachusetts decided to hold a stamp act congress.

Sons of Liberty

Mar 5, 1770

The sons of liberty happened to protest the passing of the Stamp Act. Since shopkeepers weren't complying with the rule and the British mission was losing control, eight British soldiers opened fire and killed eight colonists.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

The Boston Tea Party was caused by colonists that felt Britain was unfairly taxing them due to the French and Indian war. This caused the colonists to dump 340 chests of tea into the ocean to protest.

First continental congress meets

1774

This meeting was to talk about America's future considering the British's' growing aggression. They were prompted by the intolerable acts.

Intolerable Acts passed

Mar 31, 1774

The laws for this was a punishment for the Massachusetts bay because of the Boston Tea Party. The royal navy blockaded the Boston harbor.

Second continental congress meeting

1775

This meeting helped create the first U.S constitution, which is also known as the articles of confederation. It still operated the same, but had some limitations.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 17, 1775

The British fought the Americans and the British won. the British had 1,054 soldiers, while the Americans had only 45o soldiers.

Thomas Paine's Common Sense published

Jan 10, 1776

Thomas Paine's pamphlet advocated independence for american colonies from Britain. With this, Thomas insisted that British rule was responsible in colonial society.

Declaration of Independence adopted

Jul 4, 1776

The goals of the declaration of independence was to win foreign allies and to rally troops. The main purpose was to explain to the colonists' right to revolution.

Battle of Trenton

Dec 26, 1776

Washington makes a plan to stun the British and decides to go to Trenton. They decided to mortally wound and Rall surrenders to Washington before he dies.

Battle of Camden

Aug 16, 1780

General Gates' force fought against Lord Cornwallis' force. Cornwallis took advantage of Gates' poor arrangements and Gates lost.

Battle of Yorktown

Sep 28, 1781

Washington went to Yorktown to help the British lines. Alexander Washington talked Washington into letting him lead his militia. Hamilton got Cornwallis to finally surrender.

Treaty of Paris

Sep 9, 1783

News about the British defeat lessened support for war in America and Great Britain. It also formally ended the war for America and Great Britain. There was tension between the two nations and remained unsolved by the treaty.

3/5 Compromise

1787

Representatives created this to split taxes between states. Every 5 slaves counted as 3 free people determined how many congress people were allowed for a state.

Bill of Rights adopted

Dec 15, 1791

James Madison proposed amendments that were made to get support of both houses of congress. The house had a conference that settled remaining disagreements and got it ratified.