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The French and Indian War
A war fought between France and its Native American allies and England and the American colonies over French activity in the aria of the Ohio River that eventually escalated into a larger conflict in Europe. As a result of this, France cedes all former territories to England. -
Proclamation of 1763
Official proclamation by King George III that no one may settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. This was intended to keep Colonists and Native Americans away from each other, but it was largely ignored. -
The Sugar Act
An act raising taxes on sugar and molasses. Enacted to help mitigate the massive British war debt incurred fighting the French and Indian War. -
The Stamp Act
An act that taxed almost all goods printed on paper, such as legal documents, newspapers, and playing cards. After meeting heavy colonial opposition, the Stamp Act was repealed on March 17, 1766. -
The Declaratory Act
An act reaffirming that the British Parliament has full authority to pass legislation over and levy taxes against the American colonies. -
The Townshend Acts
An act taxing paper, glass, lead, paint, and tea. The colonists were furious over this new act. -
The Boston Massacre
A group of British soldiers fired on a rioting crown in Boston Massachusetts, killing five. -
The Tea Act
An act taxing tea in the American colonies. -
The Boston Tea Party
In protest of the Tea act, a group of colonial patriots calling themselves the Sons of Liberty, disguised as Native Americans, snuck aboard a ship docked in Boston harbor and smashed, dumped, or otherwise ruined it's cargo of approximately 46 tons of tea leaves. -
The Intolerable Acts
In retaliation for the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed The Intolerable acts, a group of laws meant to serve as a punitive measure for the unruly citizens of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Among other things, these acts; temporarily suspended the charter of the colony, allowed the crown to appoint a governor to rule absolutely, allowed troops to quarter themselves in the private homes of citizens without consent, and closed Boston harbor. 20 may 1774 -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The first battles of the American revolution. British General Gage, attempting to appropriate a stockpile of colonial munitions in Concord Massascusetts, was turned on multiple occasions by surprise attacks from colonial militia. -
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The American Revolution
After an extender period of time suffering "taxation without representation" at the the hands of a government 3,000 miles away, England's American colonies rebelled, fighting a fierce war of attrition against their mother country. Although undoubtedly the underdogs, the beleaguered American forces eventually won their freedom. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
The British storm and take a hill outside Boston Massachusetts. This ultimately proves a pyrrhic victory, as the British sustained massive casualties for relatively little gain. -
The Olive Branch Petition
A petition for peace written by a joint Colonial Congress to King George III requesting an end to the war. This was promptly rejected by the king. -
Common Sense Published
A wildly popular pamphlet by Thomas Payne calling for colonial independence. -
Siege of Boston Ends
British troops are finally driven out of Boston Massachusetts, fleeing the city and opening the harbor. The celebration of this event would later become the state Holiday Evacuation day. -
Declaration of Independence is signed
Written by Thomas Jefferson and signed by the Continental Congress, this document official declares The United Sates of America to be a nation free from British rule. -
Battles of New York
Although Washington meets defeat at the hands of General Howe, he manages to maintain his army. -
The Battle of Trenton
A surprise attack the day after Christmas, Washington's victory at Trenton provides his troops with a tremendous morale boost. -
Battle of Germantown
General Howe defeated General Washington, but only by a narrow margin, giving hope to the beleagured Continental Army. -
Battle of Saratoga
British General Burgoyne was stopped by General Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold preventing the British from rallying their strength in New York City. -
Articles of Confederation Created
An agreement between the origional 13 colonies that they would be the United States of America, a confederation of allied states. -
Valley Forge
During the winter, George Washington camed his men at Vally Forge. despite the harsh conditions, the army emerged stronger for their ordeal. -
Battle of Charleston
A British victory disasterous for the Americans when General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered 5,000 troops -
Batle of Camden
A major loss for American general Horatio Gates, Cornwalis' victory strenghtened the British hold on the south. -
Battle of Yorktown
The final serious battle of the Revolutionary War. American and French forces defeated Lord Cornwallis. -
Treaty of Paris
The formal agreement between the Americans and British that ended the Revolutionary War, and declaring (ammong other things) that the United Sates of America was a free and soverign nation.
