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End of Seven Years' War (French and Indian War)
The war started on May 17, 1756, when The Kingdom of Great Britain declared war on the French. Great Britain had a series of losses at the start. The British Prime Minister William Pitt financed Prussia and more additional allies against the French. In addition, France was banished from the territories of Canada, and the failed attempts the Spanish made to aid the French ultimately led to the British winning. -
Stamp Act (Duties in American Colonies Act)
Even though the British had won the war, they were in great debt. They taxed the colonists on their ship papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, other publications, and even playing cards. The colonists were absolutely furious. -
Quartering Act (Mutiny Act)
Because of the debt the British were in, the British soldiers didn't have much space in their barracks to live in. The Quartering (or Mutuny) Act required the colonists to house the soldiers and provide them with drinks, food, fuel, and transportation. The colonists were unwelcoming of this law and the soldiers. -
Townshend Acts (Suspending Act, the Revenue Act, the Indemnity Act, and the Commissioners of Customs Act)
Four different acts were passed in June of 1767 they were the Suspending, Revenue, Indemnity, and Commissioners of Customs Acts. Great Britain taxed imported goods, such as British china, glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. They also prevented business unless they agreed to accept the Quartering Act. Shipping and trading were regulated and kept strict by British troops. The colonists believed this was an abuse of power and opposed the acts. -
Boston Massacre (The Bloody Massacre)
Late one snowy evening in Boston, British troops were posted against the Custom House on King Street, guarding the king's money. An angry mob appeared, throwing stones, snow, and ice, threatening them, and striking them with clubs and sticks. A shot rang out from the British troops, followed by many more. The colonists were in a rage. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest that involved a large group of men dressed in native garb. These men boarded docked ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor. The harbor was closed until the bill was paid, which would be $1,000,000 worth by today's standards. -
Intolerable Acts (The Coercive Acts)
From March to June, 4 acts were passed. They were the Boston Port Act, the Administrative of Justice Act, the Massachusetts Government Act, and the redone Quartering Act. These acts were intended for Boston as punishment for rebelling against the British troops. They cut off trades going to Boston, banned freely called town meetings, and allowed soldiers to house in buildings without permission. Conversely, British troops were moved if a jury trial came to a ruling. -
Battles of Lexington & Concord
On the night of April 18, British troops marched from Boston to the nearby city, Concord. A Son of Liberty, Joseph Warren, heard of this news and sent Paul Revere and William Dawes to warn the nearby residents the British were coming. 700 British soldiers marched in Concord, where 77 Malitamen ambushed them. Heavily outnumbered, the Malitamen retreated toward the northmost bridge in Concord. Shots alternating from both sides. These shots were later known as the "shot heard ‘round the world". -
Battle of Bunker Hill
On June 16, 1775, the Americans learned many British troops were being sent to Boston. Near thousand Malitamen built forts atop the hills of Charles town overlooking Boston. Approximately 2,200 British soldiers landed nearby and marched toward the hills. Attempting to reach the Americans, they were forced to retreat and rethink their plan. After many attempts to reach the top, the British finally overpowered the Americans and won the war. -
Declaration of Independence
The American Revolution was in full motion, and the longing for independence from Britain was growing. Continental Congress gathered and had a vote on the issue; they were tasked with drafting a formal statement of independence to the British. Finally, it was sent off to the British, where it was officially signed on August 2, 1776. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington took a bold risk in improving American forces. After crossing the icy Deleware River, Washington led his troops on a surprise attack on 1,500 garrisoned Hessians. The Americans captured critical supplies such as food and clothing. -
Battle of Princeton
After Suffering a heavy loss in Trenton, the British sent more troops to secure Trenton. Upon stumbling British troops, Americans fired on them, disorienting the British line. Greatly outnumbered, the British troops were forced to surrender. -
Battle of Saratoga
A troop of 7,500 British soldiers were overthrowing American forts one by one along the Hudson River. After suffering a loss, the greatly reduced troops marched toward Saratoga. However, Prepared Americans set up powerful lines of defense along the tops of hills overlooking the Hudson River. While holding off the Americans, they lost many soldiers. They dug trenches, waiting for reinforcements that never came. They were forced to surrender to the Americans on October 17. -
Winter at Valley Forge
After the Battle of Saratoga, George Washington's troops suffered many losses. After Pennsylvania was captured by the British, Washington marched his troops through Valley Forge. Already dealing with cold, hunger, and fatigue, the march through Valley Forge was miserable and disastrous. Lacking basic needs like Food, clothing, and shelter, troops became ill, and two thousand died. -
Battle of Yorktown
On September 28, 1781, American troops arrived near Yorktown and imminently started making trenches along the perimeter of Yorktown. The British fired artillery rounds, hoping to stop the process of the Americans building trenches. On October 9, American artillery fires upon Yorktown. The British gave up on October 19, 1781, they sought an honorable surrender. George Washington denied their surrender as retaliation for previous Americans who were denied that honor earlier in the war.