History Timeline

The French and Indian War begins

May 28, 1754

For More Information The British Colonies did not have enough space. As a result, they fought the French and Indians for more land in the colonies. Multiple countries became involved.

Treaty of Paris (1763)

Feb 10, 1763

For more information click here This treaty ended the French and Indian War. The British got to control the land west of the 13 colonies, up to Mississippi. The French no longer supported the colonies, and because Spain helped the French, Spain lost the Florida colonies, but kept west of the Mississippi river, Central, and South America.

Royal Proclamation of 1763

Oct 7, 1763

For more information click here Even though England won the French and Indian war, England didn’t want to aggravate the French Colonist and the Indian tribes. (England had no more money to fight them) England told the colonist they could only settle east of the mountains. This was to try and kept peace between the French, Indians and British people.

Sugar Act

Apr 5, 1764

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It reduced the tax on sugar from 6 pence a gallon to 3 pence a gallon, however it added taxes on other good like coffee, wine, lumber, etc. Trade was disrupted, and they weren’t able to sell as many goods or purchase manufactured goods. They had less currency to buy British goods.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

For more information click hereThis was to put a tax on everything they needed paper for. The colonists were furious because they did not have a say about it and were not in parliament.

Stamp act congress

Oct 19, 1765

For more information click hereNine colonies sent representatives to Parliament. They didn’t think it was fair to get taxed without anyone representing them. Discussed boycotting goods that were taxed.

Washington Captures Trenton

Dec 26, 1766

For more information click hereA battle that was in horrible weather but worked to the colonist advantages. George Washington was able to led his troops to victory.

Townshend Act

Jun 10, 1767

A series of laws that placed new taxes on paper, tea, glass, paint, and lead. These taxes were to fund British administration in the new colonies. Such as governors. From June- July 1767

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

For more information click hereA street fight between British soldiers, and the colonist about taxes. The British Soldiers had to enforce the taxes and the colonist were sick of it. The colonist kept on teasing the soldiers, and throwing stuff at them. Someone in the crowd yelled fire and the soldiers fired into the crowd. 5 people were killed.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

For more information click hereThe colonist didn’t want to pay that much tax on tea. They stopped buying imported tea, and got together and called themselves the sons of liberty. They threw the tea overboard.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

For more information click hereAll representatives from each colony (except Georgia) to discuss what the thought was unfair treatment from England. They petitioned England to repeal the intolerable acts.

Patrick Henry, “Give me Liberty”

Mar 23, 1775

For more information click here A speech Patrick Henry gave to the Convention. Patrick Henry was saying that a war was eventually going to happen. He was recommending volunteer soldiers in every Virginia County.

Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

Apr 18, 1775

FOr more information click herePaul Revere rode to Lexington to warn John Hancock and Samuel Addams the British were coming to arrest them. Paul Revere and William Dawes warned the countryside as well. He was an express rider, and hired to deliver news.

Battles of Lexington and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

For more information click hereA battle between the British Soldiers and the militia. Paul Revere and William Dawes had already warned everyone so the Militia hid until the British got there, then they fought them. As the British soldiers were retreating the local towns people continued the attack. The colonist won and a lot of people died. Start of Revolutionary war.

Fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

For more information click hereIt was built in 1755 by the French. During the French and Indian war, the British captured it. Then the British used the fort during the revolution to store weapons. Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold and the Green Mountain boys captured it on May 10, 1775. The British weapons that were being stored in the fort helped the Americans throughout the war. This was the victory for the Americans.

Second Continental Congress

May 24, 1775

For more information click hereThe delegates agreed that a continental army would be created. They also agreed that they wanted peace resolution with King George III. The colonist created the Olive Branch Petition, but King George III didn’t want to sign it, so instead he declared the colonist to be in a state of rebellion.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 17, 1775

For more information click hereThis battle was a very important battle for the colonies to win because it would help them be more Independent. It made the colonist realize that the battle for freedom could be long a hard. The British tried to occupy Dorchester Heights, but the Colonist realized they needed to protect their country and rights.

“Common Sense” Published

Jan 10, 1776

For more information click hereWritten by Thomas Paine. This Article challenged British power. It was suppose to relate to Americans, and to ask for independence from England.

Declaration of Independence Announced

Jul 4, 1776

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A statement from the colonies declaring their independence from Great Britain. This event is so important to America that we celebrate it yearly.

"The Crisis” published

Oct 22, 1776

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Pamphlets written by Thomas Paine during the Revolution. These pamphlets were suppose to inspire the colonist and give them hope throughout

Winter at Valley Forge, PA

Jan 1, 1777

At Valley Forge the colonist had very little food and very little clothing, but endured their hardships. This inspired people to join the army, therefore strengthening the colonies. From 1777-1778

British Defeated at Saratoga

Sep 19, 1777

Click here for more informationThe British and Germans teamed up to defeat the Americans. Unfortunately for the British and Germans, they decided to camp at Saratoga. They woke up with 20,000 American surrounding them, so they surrendered.

John Paul Jones defeats the Serapis

Apr 22, 1778

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John Paul Jones beat the British at sea, capturing there biggest warship Serapis. The British had the best Navy in the world, but John Paul Jones courage and determination helped him to win the battle.

Benedict Arnold plans found out

Sep 1, 1780

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He tricked George Washington to give him command. He betrayed the Americans by selling out a very important for to the British for money.

Cornwallis Surrenders

Oct 19, 1781

A battle in Yorktown that Cornwallis (a British general) knew the British could not win the war, so he gave up. This is what Cornwallis is known for.

Virginia & Kentucky Resolution Written

Oct 1, 1798

For more information click hereThe resolutions fought that the states had rights to call something congress does unconstitutional that was not authorized by the Constitution. Also argued for states rights and to ristrict the interpretation of the constitution.

Hartford Convention meets during war of 1812

Dec 15, 1812

For more information click hereA place that New England discussed on whether if they should pull out of the war or not.

Missouri Compromise

Mar 3, 1820

For more information click hereA compromise between states that the states except Missouri north of the line would be free, and states south of the line would be able to have slavery.

Tariff of Abominations Passe

May 19, 1828

For more information click herePut tax on imported goods. It was meant to protect industry of the United States. Southerners thought it would hurt the south, because they had to pay more money for things they did not produce.

South Carolina tries to nullify

Nov 2, 1832

For more information click hereCalled the nullification crisis, it made the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 null and void for South Carolina. The state of South Carolina got there military ready to resist the federal governments informants of the tariff.

Abolition of Slavery Act (1833)

Aug 28, 1833

For more information click hereIn 1833 the Abolition Slavery Act was passed in Great Britain. Slaves under the Age of 6 were freed immediately. Slaves over the age of 6 would be part slave part free, but I n four years they would be paid for their work. The government would pay landowners for slaves. It signified the start of the end of slavery.

Formations of Constitutional Union Party

Mar 2, 1836

For more information click hereMexican president tried to stop people from moving into Texas. He abolished slavery and made people pay taxes. As a result these people revolted and declared independence from Mexico and declared the republic of Texas.

James Polk elected

Nov 5, 1844

For more information click hereThe 11th president of the United States. No one thought he would become the president but he won. He sent troops into Mexico, even though Mexico offered to give the U.S Texas, James polk didn't think that was enough

Mexican War

Mar 1, 1845

For more information click hereA war between Mexico and America over land. They both disagreed on where there borders should be. America won the battle.

Wilmot Proviso

Aug 8, 1846

For more information click hereDocument that said when land acquired from Mexico in the Mexican war or anytime after would not have slaves.

California enters the union

Sep 9, 1850

FOr more information click hereAfter the Mexican war, the land that use to be Mexico was given to America and turned into California. California then became a free and independent state.

Fugitive slave law enacted

Oct 2, 1850

For more information click hereKnown as the compromise of 1850. California became a free state, and slave trading became against the law in the district of Columbia. It allowed slaves who escaped from one to state to be returned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugitive_slave_laws

Mar 20, 1852

For more information click hereWritten by Harriet Beecher Stowe. A very popular novel, that helped people understand why slavery is bad.

Formation of the Republican Party

Mar 20, 1854

For more information click hereIt was created to go against the Kansas and Nebraska act. It was developed to go against slavery.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

May 30, 1854

For more information click hereThe Territories of Kansas and Nebraska were added. The people of Kansas and Nebraska got to vote on whether they wanted slavery. This got rid of Missouri Compromise.

Border ruffians attack Lawrence

May 21, 1856

For more information click hereA pro-slavery mob that attacked Lawrence after arresting members of their state government. The democrats introduced bills to make Kansas a free state.

Charles Sumner attacked

May 22, 1856

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Gave a speech in the United States senate that southerners found offensive. And congress men from South Carolina Preston Brooks attacks Sumner with his cane. One of the worst moment it the senates history, both men got reelected.

Pottawatomie Creek

May 24, 1856

For more information click hereFive proslavery men got murdered by John Brown and his followers. John Brown and his followers were very against slavery.

Lecompton Constitution

Sep 3, 1857

for more information click hereA proslavery constitution to increase slavery population in Kansas.

Dred Scott

Oct 3, 1857

A slave that tried to get the courts to say he was free. The court said all people that were African Americans and were free or a slave were not able to be citizens, and therefore could not go up against court.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Nov 3, 1858

For more information click hereA series of seven debates in Illinois for the election of the state senator. Douglas was the incumbent. He believed in popular soverntry. Lincoln debated the United states would not be able to go on as half slave and half free. Lincoln lost the election but won the presidential election a few years later.

Harpers Ferry

Oct 16, 1859

For more information click hereJohn Brown was anti-slavery man. He was expecting an army but only had 25 people. He went and attacked Harpers Ferry and killed many people. He lost the fight and was executed. His death made the anti slavery north really mad and it help make the civil war come faster.

Election of 1860

Nov 6, 1860

For more information click hereFour people were running for president of the United States. Abraham Lincoln only received 40 percent of popularity vote, but won 180 electoral votes, he won by a slim margin. South Carolina seceded from the United States.

Democrats Split in 1860

Dec 2, 1860

For more information click hereSouthern Democrats wanted slavery to be ok and allowed by the constitution. Northern democrats refused, so the southern democrats left.

Formations of Constitutional Union Party 1860

Dec 3, 1860

For more information click hereCreated by the Whigs and the know-nothings. They wanted to run the country only by the constitution, and only recognize the constitution.