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French and Indian War
Alternatively known as the Seven Years' War, This war was fought due to French expansion past the Ohio River Valley which caused many conflicts between the colonists and the French. Britain won the war in 1763 and claimed most of the French territories in the Americas. This event is important as it is the first conflict in the Americas. -
Treaty of Paris (ended French and Indian War)
The treaty that ended the French and Indian War was signed by the French, British, and Spain. France lost all claims to Canada and gave Louisiana to Spain. British Acquired Spanish Florida, Upper Canada, and other French territories overseas. This event is important as it is the end to the French and Indian War -
Proclamation of 1763
This proclamation was declared by King George III after Britain's victory in the French and Indian war. The proclamation stated that settlement west of a line drawn along the Appalachian Mountains was forbidden. This event is important because the colonists would end up rebelling against this causing conflict. -
The Sugar Act
This act stated that colonists merchants had to pay a tax of six pence per gallon of imported molasses.The reason behind this act is to raise money to pay for the wars. This event is important as it is just one of many acts that would cause the colonists to rebel leading to the American Revolution -
Stamp Act
This act imposed a tax on all paper documents in the colonies. The purpose of this act was to aid in the debt that Britain was in due to the French and Indian War. This event was important as it was one of many acts that caused the colonists to rebel leading to the American Revolution -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770 when 5 colonists were killed by British soldiers in a Boston protest. Tensions were very problematic in Boston after multiple acts and British soldier occupation. This event was important as it caused many conflicts in Boston including more protests which lead up to the American Revolution. -
Tea Act
This act was to bail out the failing East India Company, which at the time, was a huge component to Britain's economy. The act allowed the East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies. This event lead to the well known Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
This event followed the Tea Act in a act of rebellion against the British government. A group of Son of Liberty members disguised themselves as Indians and boarded three ships in Boston Harbor, and destroyed over 92,000 pounds of tea. This event was important as it was one of the first acts of rebellion leading to the American Revolution -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were a set of 4 acts that resulted from the Boston Tea Party. The act shut down the Boston ports, the second act lowered the amount of power the colonies had, the third act protected British officials charged with offences by allowing them to go to England or an other colony for trial, and the last act allowed British soldiers to make any colonists home their place to stay. This was important as it lead up to the American Revolution -
Creation of Continental Congress
The first Continental Congress came together from 12 of the thirteen colonies and included 56 delegates. They met in Philadelphia and there were many influential people such as George Washington, Patrick Henry, and John Adams. The congress organized an economic boycott of Great Britain in protest and petitioned the King for a redress of grievances. This is important because it is the first time the American Congress came together to discuss the events at the time. -
Paul Revere Rides
Paul Revere was given the task of riding to Lexington, Massachusetts, with the news that British troops were about to march into their land and that the Americans need to prepare for war. In addition to Lexington, Paul and two other men travelled to many other towns such as Cambridge, Boston, Roxbury, Brookline, Concord, and Medford with the message that the British were coming -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first battle of the American Revolution. The battles were fought in Massachusetts in the towns of Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Cambridge, and Menotomy. This event is important as it is the first conflict that started the American Revolution -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The battle of Bunker Hill was a battle in the early stages of the American Revolution. Even though the colonists lost the battle, the British saw many casualties. This battle is important as it was a moral victory for the colonists as they saw that they had a chance at the very powerful British Army -
Creation of Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress gathered at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. Together they wrote the Declaration of Independence which would be sent to the British government as a way to declare the colonist's independence, making America it's own country. This is very important as this document is what made America a country. -
Battle of Trenton
After a short battle at Trenton, New Jersey, nearly all of the Hessian force was imprisoned. This is important because wiping out the militia was a huge deal. The Hessian forces were ruthless fighters that had nothing holding them back. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was the definitive turning point in the American Revolution. On October 17,1777, around 6,000 British and Hessian troops surrendered their arms. The British general lost 86 percent of his army force that conquered only a few months earlier. This battle was important as it was the battle that changed the tide of the entire war. -
Valley Forge
Valley Forge was the site of a six month camp of the American soldiers where, under the command of George Washington and Baron Von Steuben, the soldiers were trained to fight much more efficiently. While the conditions at Valley Forge were very unsanitary and terrible, this camp marked the turning point of the war. After the encampment, the American soldiers were much more prepared to take on the British. -
Battle of Yorktown
The most important battle of the war, the Battle of Yorktown was fought at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781. This battle was tremendous in that it was the last battle of the American Revolution resulting in American victory. General Washington lead over 17,000 soldiers into the town encircling British army members. The British surrendered effectively ending the war. -
Treaty of Paris (Ended the American Revolution)
The treaty that officially ended the American Revolution. The treaty set boundaries between the British and Americans. The treaty also referred to America as a "free sovereign and independent". This is important as it is the official end to the American Revolutionary War, and it is the reason that America was officially independent
