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French and Indian War
The colonies began pushing westward into America, meanwhile the French were establishing forts on the Ohio River Valley. The British felt threatened due to their pre-existing rivalry with the French. Washington lead the first attack, an effort to capture French Fort Duquesne, but was defeated. The French dominated with the help of Native American allies for 3 years, until William Pitt joined forces with Native Americans and adopted their strategies leading to an eventual victory for Britain. -
Treaty of 1763
The Treaty of Paris closed the French and Indian war with Britain arriving on top. France lost all territory in North America to England and Spain. England received French territory in Canada, land east of the Mississippi river, Florida, and rights to Caribbean trade; Spain received land west of the Mississippi and New Orleans. -
Proclaimation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was issued to the colonies after the French and Indian War. The British had emerged victorious but also in immense debt. The proclamation forbade colonist to expand past the Appalachian Mountains, intended to take control of westward expansion away from colonist. It failed because British troops didn't enforce the policy and settlers ignored it and continued to expand. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act required a stamp be purchased for the use paper products such as licenses, legal documents, and newspapers. Though the tax was inexpensive, it was a shameless fundraising venture to absolve Britain accumulative post-conflict debt. Colonists' indignation was provoked more-so by the dominance King George III was trying to assert than by the tax itself. -
Boston Massacre
In Boston, a dispute between British soldiers and angered colonist became fatal when shots were fired, but the term "massacre" is misleading. There were few deaths but resistance groups presented the event in harsh light to promote their anti-british agenda, and succeeded. The soldiers were charged with manslaughter but they were painted as killers by patriots. -
Committees of Correspondence
The Committees of Correspondence were proposed by Samuel Adams in Boston to publicize and promote rebellion against Britain. Other colonies followed his lead. -
Boston Tea Party
In protest to Britain's imposing taxes, colonial rebels prevented British East India company ships from docking. Men dressed as Mohawk Native Americans then boarded the ships and dumped chest of tea into the harbor. When the British demanded compensation for the trashed goods, Bostonians refused. -
Intolerable Acts
In response to the Boston Tea party, the Intolerable acts were issued. The act closed the ports of Boston, stripped them of some of their self governing power, required accused peoples to be tried in England, and required settlers to house the Military. The acts further fueled colonial intolerance of 'taxation without representation'. -
Lexington and Concord
British sent troops to seize the colonies' weapons and powder, with the intention of avoiding violence. In Lexington, the colonies were defeated and the british continued to Concord. This time, colonial troops were prepared and the british were forced to fall back to Boston. -
Bunker Hill
Although a majority of the battle occured at Breed's Hill, it is referred to as the Battle of Bunker Hill. Colonist constructed fortifications on Breed's Hill and Bunker Hill after learning of Britain's' plans to fortify there and gain control of Boston Harbor. Britain attacked after discovering the colonist occupance. The colonies lost the battle after running out of ammunition but gained confidence in their ability to win the war. Britain won control of the Charleston Peninsula. -
Publication of Common Sense
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Declaration of Independence
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Trenton
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Valley Forge
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Saratoga
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Cowpens
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Yorktown
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Treaty of Paris 1783
