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The French and Indian War
In 1753, the French began building forts to protect their land between Lake Erie and the Ohio River. The Virginia colony became nervous because they also had land in the Ohio River Valley. The governor of Virginia sent George Washington a man from the militiaand other militia with him to tell the French they needed to leave. The French refused to leave, and Washington left to tell the governor what they had said. Later on the British wanted to build forts there. -
The Sugar Act
In 1764 the sugar act was passed taxing sugar and molasses. It showed that Britain was becoming more involved in the colonies affairs and made smugglers who were not a minority in the colonies angry. Colonists protested and later on the sugar act was removed. -
The Quartering Act
In 1764 the sugar act was passed taxing sugar and molasses. It showed that Britain was becoming more involved in the colonies affairs and made smugglers who were not a minority in the colonies angry. Later on the sugar act was removed. -
The Boston Massacre
On March 15, 1770 the Boston Massacre occured. A colonists who was being rude to a soldier got hit with the edge of the soldiers rifle and screamed causing large crowds to appear. They threw chunks of ice and many other objects at the soldiers. Frantically the soldiers fired into the crowd. -
The Tea Act
The Tea Act was passed in 1773 by the Parliament. Even though it was taxed prices on tea lowered. This helped the East India company make more money which was getting the British out of debt. It also was a symbolic message to colonists because of their rebellion. The colonies later retalliated by throwingabout 342 boxes of tea into the Boston Harbor. -
Boston Tea Party
The Sons of Liberty, a group of rebellious colonists didn’t want tea coming in from the East India Company. They threatened any captains who tried to bring in tea and merchants who were willing to buy it. Tea wasn’t unloaded in many ports but the governor of Boston wanted to make sure that the tea was unloaded there. On December 16, 1773 a large group of colonists gathered around the Boston Harbor and cheered as tea was thrown off the ships. More than 342 cases were thrown into the harbor. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
In June 17,1775 Col. William Prescott drove the British off twice before losing to them at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Losing the Battle of Bunker Hill just increased the Patriots determination for independence. -
Fort Ticonderoga
In 1775 Ethan Allen the leader of the Green Mountain Boys defeated the British at Lake Champlain. The British immediately surrendered because the Americans came in complete surprise. This opened a route for Americans to invade Canada. -
Attack and Retreat
In June 1776, the Continental Congress began considering independence. Then a large British fleet arrived in New York with 34,000 soldiers and 10,000 sailors. Washingtons army had only 20,000 not experienced troops. There were many battles in Long Island but Washington's troops were driven out of NY. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is based on ideas from enlightnment thinking. It tells you all the reasons why the colonists wanted to break away from the British. It contained four different parts: The preamble, Protection of natural rights, Grievances against the king, and Declaring Independence. This document inspired America and other nations with the idea that "all men are created equal". -
Crossing the Deleware
Christmas Night 1776, Washington and 2,400 soldiers huddled in small boats across the frozen Deleware river. Thier faces were frozen and and they barely had any supplies so some were without shoes. They put there feet in rags and marched through the snow for several miles. On December 26 they attacked had a surprise attack on Trenton. -
Surprises for the British
During the harsh winter of Valley Forge the soldiers grew stronger. Washington also came up with ideas of surprise attacks against the British. He achieved his goal when he attacked from both sides at the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776. -
Valley Forge
Winter 1777-1778 11,000 troops who weren't well fed, clothed, or housed. Many had no pants or shoes and endured harsh weather. 1/4 of the soldiers weresick so women began tocollect food, medicine, warm clothes,and ammunition. Women also became nurses to the sick and injured soldiers. Soldiers prepared for battle and grew stronger everyday, Washington and others also came up with plans against the British during that harsh winter. -
Alliance with the French
The French really wanted to weaken Britain and decided to five America with weapons and other supplies. When they thought Americans had a good chance of defeating the British they fought with them in the battle and in February 1778 they became the first nation to sign a treaty with the U.S. Frances' allies (Spain and Netherlands) also helped Americans by starting wars with Britain in Europe and the Carribean. -
Treaty of Paris
Britain accepts the independence of the United States and agrees to a peace treaty.They made new boundaries for the country: Atlantic on east, Canada on north, Mississippi River on west, Florida on south which was returned to Spain.
