-
King Death
King George II of Great Britain dies on October 25th, and is immediately succeeded by his grandson George III -
Period: to
American Revolution 1760-1791
-
Navigation Acts
The Navigation Acts are enforced in attempts to reassert unified economic control over the British Empire after the Seven Years War. It was a series of English laws that restricted colonial trade to England. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treat of Paris ends France's war with Indian-Americans inhabiting North America. They cede most of it's territories in North America to Great Britain, but to the west of Mississippi River Louisiana is ceded to Spain. -
Royal Proclamation of 1763
King George's Proclamation is made in an attempt to ensure no farther violence between the settlers and natives. It sets a western boundary on the American colonies. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act is passed with the intent to raise revenues is passed by Parliament. These are done by the economic slump following the French and Indian War, and are resented by the colonists leading to protest. -
Currency Act
The Currency Act is passed prohibiting the colonies from issuing there own currency is passed by Parliament. These are done by the economic slump following the French and Indian War, and are resented by the colonists leading to protest. -
Stamp Act
Parliament enacted the Stamp Act to help counteract the cost of keeping troops in America. It imposed a tax on most printed materials in the colonies. -
Quartering Act
Parliament enacted the Quartering Act, which required the Colonies to provide provisions, housing and food to the British troops. This caused much resistance among the colonies. -
Declaration of Rights and Grievances
Delegates from nine of the colonies attended a Congress on the Stamp Act and adopted the Declaration of Rights and Grievances. It petitions Parliament and the king to repeal the Act -
Declaratory Act
Parliament repealed the Stamp Act, but created the Declaratory Act which gave it full power to "make laws...to bind the colonies and people of America... in all cases whatsoever" -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Act is passed, which placed duties (taxes) on many items imported into America -
1768
British troops arrive in Boston in response to political unrest -
Boston Massacre
With the constant increase of anger towards British troops, a crowd began harassing a group of soldiers guarding a customs house. A soldier was knocked down by a snowball and his musket discharged. That sparked a volley into the crowd which killed five civilians. -
Committees of Correspondence
Samuel Adams organized the Committees of Correspondence. This was an important shadow government, instrumental in the revolutionary war as organizers and the first attempt at a government. -
Battle of Alamance
There was a skirmish between Regulators and British soldiers in modern day Alamance County, NC over taxation and local control. This is considered by some the opening salvo of the American Revolution. -
Tea Act
The British Parliament passed the Tea Act, which intended to help the financially struggling British East India Company. -
Boston Tea Party
This was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston Massachusetts. In defiance of the Tea Act, demonstrators (some disguised as Native Americans) destroyed an entire shipment of tea. -
Intolerable Acts
The British Parliament passed a series of laws that took away self-governance of Massachusetts. They were meant to punish the Massachusetts colonists for their defiance in the Boston Tea Party. -
Petition to the King
This was a petition sent to the King by the First Continental Congress, calling for the repeal of the Intolerable Acts. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in response to the Intolerable Acts. Twelve delegations are sent, and they consider options in response to the Intolerable Acts. -
Ride of Revere
On this night, Paul Revere and William Dawes rode through the night to warn the people of Boston of the encroaching British Troops. This became one of the most iconic moments of the American founding. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
These were the first military engagements of the Revolutionary War. These battles took place between local militia and British forces searching for military supplies. In a series of direct skirmishes and guerrilla battles, and stirred the beginning of the Revolutionary War. -
Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga is seized by Benedict Arnold, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys (A militia from the Vermont Republic). -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress meets; managing the Colonial war effort and moving towards independence. It acted as the de facto national government by raising armies, directing strategy, appointing diplomats and making treaties. -
Continental Army
The Continental Army is established by a resolution of Congress. It would later become the modern United States Army. It was the first national Army; as opposed to local militias. -
Commander in Chief
George Washington is named as the first Commander in Chief of the Continental Army -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill is fought during the Siege of Boston. It was the highest casualty count suffered by the British in any single encounter in the war. It stirred great patriotism and hope for the colonies; and coined the infamous phrase "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition is sent to King George III, in a final attempt to avoid a full-on war between Britain and the Colonies. -
Continental Marines
The Continental Marines are established by the Continental Congress. This would later evolve into the modern day United States Marine Corps -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine publishes his Common Sense phamplet, a short book supporting the Revolutionary War and American independence. To this day, it remains the all-time best selling American book -
Declaration of Independence
The Second Continental Congress creates a resolution declaring independence from Britain on July 2nd, it's approved on July 4th, and signed on August 2nd. -
Battle of Long Island
The British win the Battle of Long Island, capturing many prisoners. -
Occupation
The British occupy the city of New York, using it as a base and prisoner of war storage area. -
Harlem Heights
The British win the Battle of Harlem Heights. -
White Plains
The Americans are forced to retreat at the Battle of White Plains. -
Washington & Lee
The British capture Fort Washington New York and Fort Lee New Jersey. -
Delaware River
George Washington leads his troops in a surprise raid across the Delaware river, capturing Trenton from the British. This moment becomes iconic throughout American History -
Valley Forge
The Continental Army sets up there winter camp in Valley Forge between December-January 1777/78. Much of there force is decimated by disease, weather and lack of supplies. -
Battle of Saratoga
Two battles at Saratoga result in the surrender of 5,700 British, German and loyalist forces under General Burgoyne due to lacking supplies. This is considered a turning point in the Revolutionary War. -
Republic of Vermont
Delegates in Vermont establish a independent republic and adopt their own constitution. They were not one of the Thirteen Colonies, but eventually join the union as the fourteenth state in 1791. There constitution was the first of the US to prohibit slavery. -
French Recognition
With the signing of two treatys, France officially recognized US independence and agreed to mutual military alliances. -
Philadelphia
The British troops abandon Philadelphia and return to New York city. -
Southern Strategy
Launching there Southern Strategy, the British troops capture and occupy the city of Savannah. -
Middlebrook
The Continental Army camps in MIddlebrook for the winter of 78-79. -
Moristown
The Continental Army winters over in the Morristown camp between 1779-1780. It's the harshest winter of the 18th century. -
French Arrival
The French troops arrive at Newport, Rhode Island to aid the Americans. -
Springfield
The British attempt to invade New Jersey, but are stopped at Connecticut Farms and Springfield. Major fighting in the North ends with this defeat. -
Benedict Arnold
John Andre is captured and Benedict Arnold's plan to cede West Point to the British is exposed. -
Siege of Charleston
British Army and Navy forces besiege Charleston, South Carolina. British ships occupy Charleston Harbor. Washington orders reinforcements to Charleston, but the city eventually falls. It's considered one of the worst American defeats of the war. -
Waxhaw
The British deal a crushing blow to the Americans at Waxhaw Creek, SC. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation are ratified; this served as the first Constitution of the US. It was conceived by the Second Continental Congress and came into force in March. -
Capes
The Battle of Capes denies the British troops reinforcements or evacuation from the American troops -
Yorktown Surrender
British forces under Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown after the siege of Yorktown battle. This is considered by many the culmination of the war; as the surrender involved the largest majority of British forces. -
Savannah
The British evacuate Savannah Georgia -
Charleston
The British leave Charleston, South Carolina. -
House of Commons
The British House of Commons votes against further war, informally ending the war and recognizing American independence. -
Treaty of Paris
Great Britain and America sign the Treaty of Paris, which ends the American Revolutionary War. -
Triumphant
The British evacuate New York city, establishing the end of British rule. George Washington returns triumphantly with the Continental Army -
Constitution Ratification
Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey ratify the constitution -
Constitution Ratification
New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina ratify the constitution -
President
The first presidential election is held in 1789, and George Washington is inaugurated as the President in New York City -
Constitution Ratification
North Carolina becomes the 12th state to ratify the Constitution. -
Constitution Ratification
Rhode Island becomes the 13th state to ratify the Constitution. -
Bill of Rights
The United States Bill of Rights is ratified by the United States Congress