-
French and Indian War
This war was between Britain and France (with Native American allies) over land in North America. Britain won and gained a lot of territory but was left with huge war debts. Britain’s debt from this war led to new taxes on the American colonies, which started causing serious anger and frustration among colonists. -
Albany Plan
Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan to create a united government for the colonies to deal with defense and Native American affairs. It was suggested at a meeting of colonial representatives in Albany, New York. Even though the plan was rejected, it was an important early idea for colonial unity, which came back later when the colonies really started thinking about independence -
Proclamation of 1763
After the French and Indian War, King George III issued this order, stopping colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains to avoid conflicts with Native Americans. Many colonists were upset because they wanted to expand westward, but this proclamation felt like Britain was restricting their freedom. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act imposed taxes on sugar and molasses imported into the colonies and made it harder for colonists to smuggle these goods. This was one of the first times Britain taxed the colonies directly to raise money, and it made the colonists feel like they were being unfairly controlled. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act required colonists to buy special stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, and other paper products. This act affected nearly everyone in the colonies, leading to protests and boycotts. It helped unite the colonies in their opposition to British taxes, and Britain eventually repealed it. -
Townshend Acts
These laws taxed goods like glass, paint, paper, and tea imported into the colonies. The taxes led to protests and boycotts. The colonies were getting more united in their opposition to Britain, and tensions were rising fast. -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists in Boston, killing five people after being harassed by a crowd. The Boston Massacre became a symbol of British cruelty, and it was used by colonial leaders to rally support for independence. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists, upset about the Tea Act and "taxation without representation," dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor as a protest. This act of defiance led Britain to pass the Coercive Acts (also known as the Intolerable Acts), which further escalated tensions between Britain and the colonies. -
Coercive Acts
Also called the Intolerable Acts by the colonists, these were a set of laws passed by Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party, including closing Boston Harbor and placing Massachusetts under stricter control. These harsh measures pushed the colonies even closer to rebellion and led to the formation of the First Continental Congress. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia to discuss their response to the Coercive Acts. The Congress organized a boycott of British goods and took the first steps toward forming a unified colonial government. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
These were the first military clashes between British troops and colonial militias. British soldiers tried to seize weapons from the colonists, and fighting broke out. The battles marked the start of open armed conflict between the colonies and Britain. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress acted as the national government during the Revolution, managing the war effort and drafting the Declaration of Independence. It guided the colonies through the war and laid the groundwork for American independence. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Second Continental Congress sent this petition to King George III as a final attempt to avoid a full-scale war, asking for peace and a return to normal relations. King George rejected the petition, which convinced many colonists that there was no hope for reconciliation with Britain. -
Common Sense
Written by Thomas Paine, this pamphlet argued for complete independence from Britain in clear, simple language that everyone could understand. It convinced many colonists that independence was the best option and helped inspire the movement toward declaring independence. -
Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson, this document declared the American colonies independent from Britain and outlined the principles of liberty and government by consent. The Declaration officially separated the colonies from Britain and laid out the ideals that would shape the new nation. -
Battle of Saratoga
A major American victory where British General Burgoyne's forces were surrounded and defeated by American troops. The victory convinced France to join the war on the American side, providing critical military and financial support. -
Valley Forge
The Continental Army, led by George Washington, spent a harsh winter at Valley Forge, where they suffered from cold, hunger, and disease. Despite the hardships, the army came out stronger thanks to training from European officers, like Baron von Steuben, and was better prepared for the battles ahead. -
Yorktown
The final major battle of the Revolution, where American and French forces surrounded British General Cornwallis at Yorktown, forcing him to surrender. Cornwallis’s surrender effectively ended the war, leading to peace negotiations and American independence. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the United States, creating a weak central government with limited powers. The Articles helped guide the country through the end of the war, but they had many weaknesses, leading to the creation of the U.S. Constitution later. -
Treaty of Paris
This treaty officially ended the Revolutionary War. Britain recognized American independence and ceded territory to the new United States. The treaty confirmed the United States as an independent nation and established its borders.