-
1775 BCE
Lexington and Concord
From the early 1760s to 1775 American colonists complained about British policies that taxed them without representation. The Battles of Lexington and Concord changed that. The killing of Americans by British troops made the Americans revolt and caused a peaceful group to turn violent. -
Navigation Acts
(1651-1660) Restricted Parliament trade in favor of Britain. Decreased foreign imported goods. The Navigation Acts prevented the colonies from shipping any goods without basically the monetization of Britain. -
French and Indian War (Treaty of Paris 1763)
The French and Indian War began in 1754 and ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763. The war provided Great Britain territorial gains in North America, but disputes led to colonies annoyance, and eventually to the American Revolution. -
Stamp Act 1765
(Originally Published) Act of Parliament to oppose direct tax from the British. Required materials be produced on paper that was stamped and shipped. Money from the Act went to the soldiers in North America to maintain peace between Native Americans and the colonists. -
Boston Massacre
Notably the British trying to enforce taxes, it started as a street brawl and ended with many dead. This caused the Revolution to gain inspiration for starting -
Tea Act
British Parliament passed the act in 1773. Mostly helped the struggling tea company to ship the tea directly to the colonies. -
Boston Tea Party
Best described as a political protest. This was part of the colonists protecting the Townshend Revenue Act. For “92,000” pounds of tea were destroyed in three hours. -
Coercive/Intolerable Acts
Boston Port Act - closing that city’s harbor until restitution was made for the destroyed tea. The Massachusetts Government Act changed the colonies to a crown colony (administered by Britain). The Administration of Justice Act was aimed at notably protecting British officials. June 2, 1774, The Quartering Act applied to all of British America and gave colonial governors the right to house British troops. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress met in The Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Between September 5 and October 26, 1774. Delegates from twelve of Britain's thirteen American colonies met to discuss America's future under growing British aggression. -
Second Continental Congress
Met to talk about British plans and conquests. After Lexington and Concord, planned on naming the country "The United Colonies". -
Declaration of Independence adopted
Mostly summarized colonists motivations for independents. Notably gained an alliance with France and declared themselves an independent nation leading to Americas foundation. -
Battle Of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was from Sep. 19 (1777) to Oct 7, (1777). It was a battle creating a turning point in the war. Notably the French Army was involved helping the Americans to win this battle and turn the tables. -
Winter at Valley Forge
Dec 19, 1777 – Jun 19, 1778. Commanded by George Washing as the third of eight winter encampments. Horrible conditions and disease, multitude of sanitary issues and horrible mental state for the soldiers. -
Battle of Yorktown
Sep 28, 1781 – Oct 19, 1781. Known as the Surrender of Yorktown, notable British loss. Cornwallis hoped to keep his men in the Chesapeake town until fresh supplies and reinforcements could arrive from Britain. The French and the Americans conspired to capture the British before that could happen and it worked. -
U.S. Constitution
Drafted in the summers of 1787 and signed on September 17, 1787. Written mostly by James Madison, Hamilton, and Jay. Signed by Washington -
U.S. Constitution adopted
39 of the 55 delegates signed the document. Supporters of the U.S. Constitution declared the need for a stable, central government to “secure the blessings of liberty” to Americans.