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End of the French & Indian War
The French and Indian War, also known as the seven years war, ended on in February 1763 when the treaties of Hubertusburg and Paris were signed. In the Treaty of Paris, France lost all claims to Canada and gave Louisiana to Spain. This strengthened the American colonies by moving their European rivals to their north and south. (This Day in History) -
Proclamation of 1763
At the end of the French and Indian War, King George issued the Proclamation of 1763 in oder to restrict the borders of where the colonists could and could not settle. This was a reassertion of the Easton Treaty and forbade the colonists from settling west of the Appalachian mountains. This also improved relations during Pontiac's Rebellion. (What Every American Should Know About American History) -
Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress was one of the first visible attempts of the thirteen colonies working together. They met as a body to debate how to deal with the Stamp Act and argue "no taxation without representation." As a result of this congress, colonies boycotted goods from Britain and eventually repealed the Stamp Act. (Stamp Act Congress.) -
Stamp Act of 1765
The purpose of this act was to help pay for the defense and protection of the American frontier near the Appalachian mountains. This was a tax put on every printed product, such as newspapers, legal documents, and even things such as playing cards. This was another act passed by Parliament that the colonists were not fond of. (Summary of Stamp Act.) -
Quartering Act of 1765
This act required colonists to house British soldiers and was not easily accepted by the colonists. Many of the British soldiers were previous felons who agreed to join the military in order to reduce or avoid their sentences. Many colonists understandably did not want these people in their homes, which contributed to a desire of independence from Britain. -
Boston Massacre
British troops had been stationed in Boston and some of the young patriots were gathering in front of one of the barracks. In an attempt to brake up the crowd, shots were fired and three young men were killed along with two others were mortally wounded. This began to give more grounds for the patriots to rebel against the British. (The Boston Massacre) -
Tea Act of 1773
This act granted the British East India Company Tea a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies. The purpose of this act was to get the British Each India Company out of debt. This act ultimately lead to the Boston Tea Party where many patriots dressed up as Indians and destroyed over 92,000 pounds of tea. (The Tea Act) -
Boston Tea Party
This was an event where The Sons of Liberty dressed up as Mohawk Indians and attacked British ships, dumping 92,000 pounds of tea overboard. The Sons of Liberty were in rebellion responding to the Tea Act that imposed a tax on the colonists which was already in place. (The Tea Act) -
Coercive (Intolerable) Acts of 1774
The Coercive or Intolerable Acts of 1774 were a series of acts put into order by Parliament in an attempt to regain control of the North American colonies by restricting them with taxes and other orders. These lead to the first continental congress in an attempt by the colonists to argue and repeal these taxes. -
The First Continental Congress
This meeting by the colonists was in response to the Coercive acts enacted by the British. Fifty-six delegates from all of the colonies except Georgia drafted a declaration of rights and grievances toward Britain. Total separation from Britain was not a desire at this time, but it was the beginning of change in how the colonists submitted to Britain. -
The Second Continental Congress
This was a meeting to discuss what should be done in oder to meet the military threat of the British. George Washington was put into command at this meeting and it was agreed upon to start printing money in oder to pay for the expenses of the war. Even at this time, most of the delegates were not seeking independence from Britain. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
These battles were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. The colonies were prepared for battle and had soldiers called minutemen to be ready at any time to fight. Paul Revere rode through, notifying that the British were on their way and the American Revolution began. -
The New York Campaign (Battle of Long Island)
The British Army successfully moved against the American Continental Army led by George Washington. The battle was part of a British campaign to seize control of New York and thereby isolate New England from the rest of the colonies. Washington lost this battle, but his ingenuity allowed him to escape without surrender and continue the fight. -
Battle of Princeton
General Cornwallis came prepared to defeat Washington and his army. Cornwallis knew that Washington would try to escape over night in oder to save he and his 5,000 exhausted troops from the 8,000 redcoats. Washington left their campfires burning and went around the British camp and only had trouble when they met the rear guard. Washington outnumbered them five to one and the Battle of Princeton was won. -
Battle of Saratoga
The two Battles of Saratoga were a turning point in the American Revolution. On September 19th, British General John Burgoyne achieved a small, but costly victory over American forces led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. Though his troop strength had been weakened, Burgoyne again attacked the Americans at Bemis Heights on October 7th, but this time was defeated and forced to retreat and surrender ten days later -
Articles of Confederation
This was the first constitution of the United States after the Revolutionary War adopted by the Continental Congress. However, ratification of the Articles of Confederation by all thirteen states did not occur until March 1, 1781. -
Southern Campaign
The Southern Campaign began with British concern over the course of the war in the North. They in turn tried to recruit the Tories, those that were loyal to the king in the southern colonies.This caused a lot of division within the colonies and forced people to choose a side. -
Battle of Yorktown
This is the most important battle of the Revolutionary war. Washington defeated the British and with the surrender of Cornwallis, the American Revolutionary War was over. -
Constitutional Convention
The purpose of this convention was to reevaluate the Articles of Confederation and decide what would be best for the constitution of the United States. -
Ratification of the Constitution
On June twenty-first, 1788, the constitution was ratified by all thirteen states in Philadelphia. This was the official beginning of a great nation. One Nation Under God.
