-
French & Indian War
France and Britain were fighting for control of the Ohio River Valley in North America. Great Britain ends up winning, but they go into a massive debt. To pay it off, they start to heavily tax the colonists. This creates the first bit of tension between the colonists and the crown. -
The Stamp Act
An act authorized by King George III that required the colonists to pay a tax, presented by a stamp, on various forms of papers and documents. This act was hated on and eventually led to the birth of the American Revolution. -
The Boston Massacre
A dispute between the British soldiers and rioting colonists. Seven British soldiers fired into a crowd of Bostonians which killed five and injured six. This conflict unfortunately angered an entire colony. -
Boston Tea Party & Intolerable Acts
Was a political protest on the British Parliament's tax on tea, "No taxation without representation". The protestors boarded ships and threw chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. As a result of this, the British government considered the protest an act of treason. -
The Battle of Lexington & Concord
Was the first battle of the Revolutionary War and the famous "shot heard 'round the world". British troops had moved from Boston toward Lexington and Concord to seize the colonists' military supplies. It was disastrous for the British, and it influenced many Americans to take up arms and support the cause of independence. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
A major battle in the American Revolution, fought in Charlestown during the Siege of Boston. The outcome had the British as the winners, and it ultimately confirmed that any reconciliation between England and American colonies was no longer possible. -
The Declaration of Independence
A declaration to become independent from Britain. Written on July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence states that the government and its people are based. Through this, the American colonists were able to have an official alliance with the Government of France and obtain French assistance in the war against Great Britain. -
Valley Forge
A winter encampment in the US state of Pennsylvania where General George Washington and his army spent the severe winter of 1777 during the American Revolution. Over hundreds of individuals died of the cold and lack of food. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The final major battle of the American Revolution between the British and the Americans. British General, Lord Charles Cornwallis and his army surrendered to General George Washington’s American force and its French allies at the Battle of Yorktown on October 19th, 1781. This win helped cement George Washington's reputation as a great leader and eventually led him to become the first president of the United States. -
The Treaty of Paris
A treaty signed between Great Britain and the American colonies. It was a final agreement to officially end the American Revolution.