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The Stamp Act
Prime Minister George Grenville passed the Stamp Act which forced colonists to buy specially stamped paper products that had taxes placed on them. Anybody who was caught breaking the law were to be tried in the vice-admiralty courts. -
The Sons of Liberty is Formed
In protest to the Stamp Act, a rebellious group known as the Sons of Liberty is formed, headed by Samuel Adams. The group is known for actions such as tarring and feathering British tax collectors. -
Stamp Act Congress
Nine delegates out of the thirteen colonists met in New York City to issue the Declaration of Rights and Grievances, stating that there is "taxation without representation," a common rallying cry for colonists. -
The Stamp Act is Repealed
Amidst a widespread boycott from American merchants, Britain is forced to repeal the Stamp Act. -
The Declaratory Act
On the same day as the repealing of the Stamp Act, Parliament releases the Declaratory Act, an act that asserted Parliament's right to create laws. -
The Townshend Acts
Led by Charles Townshend, these taxes were directly placed on colonists unlike the Stamp Act which was indirect. These acts also placed a three-penny tax on tea, which was known as the most popular drink in the colonies at the time. -
John Hancock's Ship Confiscated
In June 1768, British Redcoats seized the Liberty, John Hancock's ship for allegations of smuggling wine from Madeira. The confiscation triggered riots against British custom agents, forcing Britain to house approximately 2,000 soldiers in Boston. -
Boston Massacre
In protest to a fistfight that broke out in the afternoon over jobs, a mob heckled a group of British soldiers. Ignoring orders to shoot, British soldiers shot and killed 5 people, including Crispus Attucks. Colonial agitators worked quickly to make it seem like an attack on defenseless civilians. -
Boston Tea Party
In response to the Tea Act devised to cut colonial tea merchants out of the picture for the British East India Company to recover profits, Boston colonists dressed as Native Americans sneaked aboard three British tea ships and dumped the cargo into the ocean. -
The Intolerable Acts
As punishment for the Boston Tea Party, King George punished the colonists in Boston with three major laws: the closing of Boston Harbor; the Quartering Act, which allowed British soldiers to live with civilians as a tax-cutting measure; and Boston being placed under martial law. -
First Continental Congress
56 delegates met in Philadelphia in order to discuss and create the Declaration of Rights. They supported the protests in Massachusetts, and if their rights weren't agreed to, they agreed to meet again in May 1775. -
Lexington and Concord
Hearing word that there was a large amount of arms and munitions stashed outside of Boston, General Thomas Gage encountered minutemen militia waiting for his troops at Lexington. The Redcoats dispatched the minutemen in a skirmish, however when they got to Concord, they found an empty arsenal. As the British prepared to march back to Boston, they were surrounded by minutemen and trapped in Boston. -
Second Continental Congress
With the threat of war against Great Britain looming, colonial leaders scheduled a meeting at Philadelphia to determine what to do. Leader's opinions were divided between war and peace, but eventually a Continental Army led by George Washington was approved, thus leading to war. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
General Gage decided to strike back at the minutemen who camped out on Breed's Hill. Taking approximately 2,400 Redcoats with him, it took three assaults to force the minutemen to flee, due to a lack of ammunition. -
Battle of Princeton
Facing approximately 1,200 Redcoats in Princeton, New Jersey, the Americans were able to pull off an astonishing victory. Becoming confident with the victory here and at Trenton, General Washington marched his forces to near Morristown, New Jersey. -
Common Sense
A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine began to spread about and change public opinion. Paine argued that it was time for Americans to go for independence in order to create a better society for Americans. -
Declaration of Independence
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence was founded from the ideas of sociologist John Locke, and stated that the governments derive their power from the people. This action officially began the American Revolution. -
Battle for New York
In an attempt to isolate New England and end the rebellion quickly, British Generals William and Richard Howe, along with approximately 32,000 Redcoats including thousands of German mercenaries, overtook New York against George Washington's force of 23,000 men, however Washington was vastly outnumbered. His men was forced to retreat in late August. -
Battle of Trenton
Risking everything on one bold attack, General Washington led 2,400 men in rowboats across the Delaware River to the Hessians. As the Hessians were drunk the previous night and were still sleeping it off, the Americans were able to kill 30 soldiers and took 918 soldiers captive. -
The Battle of Philadelphia
General Howe quickly began his plan to conquer the American capital of Philadelphia in the spring of 1777. Sailing his troops to the Chesapeake Bay, the Continental Congress was forced to flee, and Washington's troops were unsuccessful in blocking the Redcoats at the nearby Brandywine Creek. Howe had captured Philadelphia, and stationed his troops there. -
Battle of Saratoga
Considered by many to be the "turning point of the war", General John "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne was forced to surrender at Saratoga due to a plan that went awry. This victory rallied the support of the French, who was eager to take revenge for the French and Indian War prior. -
Winter at Valley Forge
In the winter of 1778, while the British had captured Philadelphia and portions of New England, the American forces were forced to remain at Valley Forge, where they suffered under abysmal conditions such as a lack of food and clothing. -
French and American Treaty
As a result of the victory at Saratoga, the French recognized American independence and agreed to help them against Great Britain. As a result, the French were forced to not make peace with Britain until they also recognize American independence. -
European Assistance Arrives
During the Winter of Valley Forge, two faces assisted in turning the tides for the Americans: Friedrich von Steuben helped in giving the Continental Army discipline, and turned them into an effective fighting force. Meanwhile, the Marquis de Layfayette enlisted himself with General Washington, lobbied for French reinforcements, and in the last years of the war had a command in Virginia. -
The Theater of War Changes
In the summer of 1778, the British change strategies and begin to move South, hoping to rally Loyalist support, and then move up to hopefully defeat the Americans. The expedition to the South is led by Generals Henry Clinton and Charles Cornwallis. -
Battle of Charles Town
In the British's greatest victory of the war, Clinton and Cornwallis overtook Charles Town, South Carolina and captured approximately 5,500 American soldiers as Prisoners of War. Clinton then went back up to New York to replace General Howe, leaving Cornwallis in charge of the Southern portion of the army. -
Battle of Cowpens
As General Cornwallis took control of the South, any time he tried to move into North Carolina, he was harassed by the Patriots down to the South. As Generals Nathaniel Greene and Daniel Morgan went in pursuit of Cornwallis, Cornwallis in turn sent Banastre Tarleton against Morgan. Morgan led Tarleton on a chase throughout the countryside, eventually defeating him at Cowpens. -
Battle of Guilford Court House
Angered by the Battle of Cowpens, Cornwallis responded by attacking General Greene at Guilford Court House. While Cornwallis may have won the battle, it was at a cost of a quarter of his troops-- 93 were killed, approximately 400 were wounded, and 26 were missing. -
Battle of Yorktown
The final major battle of the war, the American and French armies are able to surround General Cornwallis' forces at Yorktown, Virginia. A French fleet was also blocking the way by sea, not allowing any British ships through to interfere. -
Treaty of Paris
Finally marking an end to the American Revolution, the Americans, French, British and Spanish met at Paris in 1781 to discuss a peace treaty. The Americans wanted people to recognize their independence, Britain wanted to retain their colonies, the French feared America becoming a major power, and the Spanish had a vested interest in lands beyond the Appalachians. However, there would be promises not kept for both the British and the Americans.
