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Treaty of Paris (French and Indian War)
Britain claimed all of North America east of the Mississippi River. France gave Spain New Orleans, Louisiana, and the French territory west of the Mississippi. The treaty ended French power in North America. ("Wikipedia") -
Proclamation of 1763
The proclamation forbade colonists to settle on the west side of the Appalachians. Colonists were angry because they thought they had the right to settle the Ohio River Valley. The British government was angry because the colonists did not want to pay for their own defenses. This helped cause the war for American independence. -
Sugar Act
Law placed on tax sugar, molasses, and other products shipped to the colonies. Also called for strict enforcement of the act and harsh punishment to smugglers. Colonial merchants reacted with anger. (“ushistory.org”) -
Stamp Act
Law required all legal and commercial documents to carry an official stamp showing that a tax had been paid. All contracts, diplomas, and wills had to carry a stamp. Even published materials such as newspapers had to be written on special stamped paper. (“ushistory.org”) -
Quartering Act
Required colonists to house British soldiers and provide them with supplies. General Thomas Gage, commander of these forces, put most troops in New York. The Quartering Acts were a cost-saving measurement. -
Boston Massacre
A group of dockworkers and other youths, including Crispus Attucks, began insulting the red coats, British soldiers. After hearing the command to fire they shot and killed 5 people, including Crispus Attucks. John Adams had fought for them in court and won. -
Tea Act
Gave the British East India Company control over America’s tea trade. Made so people had to pay tax on their tea. It enraged many people and they would still smuggle it in. (“ushistory.org”) -
Boston Tea Party
Everywhere in the colonies protests against the Tea Act happened. But the Boston Tea Party was when a group of men disguised as Native Americans boarded tree tea ships docked in Boston Harbor. They then destroyed 342 chests by throwing them overboard. -
Intolerable Acts
Parliament passed a series of laws to punish the Massachusetts colony and to warn other colonies. The British called them the Coercive Acts. One act closed the port of Boston until the destroyed tea was paid for. Another banned committees of correspondence, allowed Britain to house troops wherever necessary. -
1st Continental Congress
Delegates from all the colonies, except Georgia, met in Philadelphia. Were elected by the people, the colonial legislatures, or the committee of correspondence. At this meeting delegates voted to ban all trade with Britain until the Intolerable Acts were repealed. (“ushistory.org”) -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
These were the first battles of the Revolutionary War. Americans now had to pick if they would be a Patriot or Loyalist. These battles were “shots heard ‘round the world”. -
Second Continental Congress
At this meeting the delegates decided to form the Continental Army. Washington was chosen as the Continental Army’s commanding general. Congress also authorized the printing of paper to pay the troops with, they were beginning to act as an actual government. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Militiamen seized Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill, they had built forts on Breed’s Hill. The British, alarmed, decided to attack and Colonel William Prescott, in charge of the militiamen, said “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” British ended up winning this battle but with major costs. -
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
A pamphlet that helped convince Americans that a complete break with Britain was very needed. Paine argued that all monarchies were corrupt and disagreed with the economic arguments for staying with Britain. It was a great success for Americans during the war. -
Declaration of Independence
Congress appointed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence which included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was chosen to compose the Declaration. On July 4, 1776, Congress adopted the document which proclaimed independence. -
Battle of Long Island (Battle of Brooklyn)
This battle was a huge victory for the British and defeat for the Americans under control of General George Washington. It was the start of a successful British campaign that gave Britain control of New York City. It was the first major battle after the Declaration of Independence. -
American Crisis by Thomas Paine
A pamphlet series (16) published from 1776-1783 during American Revolution. They were inspiring works for the colonists. The writings reached out to the American colonists, appealed to the English, clarified things going on with the war, and denounced the advocates of a negotiated peace. -
Battle of Trenton
Washington and his men crossed the Delaware River to Hessian soldiers in Trenton. The battle was brief and after a while most of the Hessian soldiers were captured. This battle greatly boosted the Continental Army’s self-esteem. -
Battles of Saratoga
The Battles of Saratoga lasted from September through October. They convinced European nations that Americans might just win the war. Also Benedict Arnold was angry from lack of recognition and betrays his army. -
Winter at Valley Forge
Towards late 1777, Britain’s General Howe forced Washington and his men from Philadelphia forcing them to camp at Valley Forge. Supplies for Washington and his men were very scarce, many only had blankets to cover themselves and sometimes went days without food. That is why the name Valley Forge came to be known as the name for the great hardships that Americans endured in the Revolutionary War. -
Battle of Yorktown
When the British ships tried to reach Cornwallis, the French drove them away. The American and French troops bombarded Yorktown with cannon fire. Cornwallis then had to surrender his force of about 8,000. -
Treaty of Paris (Revolutionary War)
This Treaty ended the Revolutionary War. It had six conditions but they weren’t quite fully lived up to. One condition was that the United States were independent.
