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Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were passed by British Parliament in an attempt to show America that they had a right to exert authority over the colonies. These serious of measures gave Britain the right to tax goods that were imported to the colonies. -
Boston Massacre
A street fight that occurred between a patriot mob and a small British army. Many colonists were killed and this lead to a campaign to help unite the colonies against Britain. This event was a turning point in the beginnings of the American Revolution. -
Boston Tea Party
A protest that occurred at Griffin's Wharf in Boston, Massachusetts. American colonists were angry at Britain for imposing "taxation without representation" so they dumped over 300 chests of tea into the harbor
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Patrick Henry's Speech
Henry's "give me liberty or give me death" speech ultimately equipped the Virginia militia to fight against the British. -
Paul Revere's Ride
Paul Revere rode from Charlestown to Lexington to warn the people that the British were marching from Boston to take the colonial armory at Concord. This occurred immediately before the battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the War for Independence.
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Battle of Bunker Hill
This crucial battle was part of the American siege of British-controlled Boston. Over 2,000 British troops cleared the hill. This battle was a moral victory for the American troops -
Declaration of Independence adopted
After Congress recommended that the colonies form their own governments, the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson and a committee of other members. This important document proclaimed that the 13 original colonies of America were "free and independent states".
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George Washington crosses the Deleware
On Christmas night, George Washington and the continental army crossed the Delaware River surprising the British. They took some 900 prisoners with them and it boosted the moral of the new country -
Articles of Confederation Ratified
The Articles of Confederation served as a bridge between the Continental Congress and the federal government. They were adopted by Congress on November 15th, 1777 but were not fully ratified until 4 years later. -
Treaty of Paris
Britain recognized the independence of the United States with boundaries including the Mississippi River on the west. The signing of this treaty signaled the end of the War for Independence.