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Delaware Separates from Pennsylvania
Earlier, William Penn had been given the deed of Delaware by the Duke of York. Although technically separate from Pennsylvania, the colony was governed as a part of Pennsylvania. However, the colony petitioned for in independent colonial legislature, which was granted. -
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Queen Anne's War
Part of a larger European war, Queen Anne's War led to British victories in North America, significantly decreasing French and Spanish influence in the continent. -
The Colony of Georgia is charted
General James Oglethorpe was granted a charter for Georgia. Oglethorpe wanted Georgia to serve as a haven for the poor and indebted. He also wished to create a community of smallholdings, instead of the large, slave plantations like the majority of the South. -
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The French and Indian War
A war on a scale unlike any other so far, the French and Indian War was once again a part of a larger European conflict. It ended with the cession of New France to Britain and Spain. Spain, an ally of France, was given French Louisiana due to its loss of Florida to Britain. At the end of the war, British control and dominance over North America was all but assured. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a major turning point in the hardening of relations between the colonies and Britain. Boston citizens began harassing British soldiers, and as the event continued to escalate, a British solider fired, causing the others to discharge their firearms as well. In the end, 5 were killed and another 6 wounded. -
British Parliament Passes the Stamp Act
Seeking compensation for its role during the war, the British government passes the Stamp Act, the first in many Acts to follow. A direct taxation, this act proved to be the sudden start of deteriorating relations between the colonies and Britain. -
Boston Tea Party
In response to continual British taxation policies, which recently culminated in the Tea Act, members of the Sons of Liberty boarded East India vessels containing tea and dumped the chests overboard. This event further ostracized Boston and the colonies from Britain. -
The First Continental Congress
The Continental Congress met for the first time in Philadelphia to discuss how to best coordinated affairs between the colonies, and their collective response to the crown. -
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The American Revolutionary War
Initially seeking redress for suspended liberties and excessive taxation, the rebels quickly moved their goal towards full independence as hostilities continued to ramp up between Britain and the Thirteen Colonies. The war turned into a long drawn-out slug as American militia, unable to compete with a veteran British army on the open field, turned primarily to guerrilla tactics. -
American Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson, signed by most of the founders, and ratified by Congress on July 4th, the Declaration of Independence has played an important role not only as that, a declaration of independence, but also as a symbol of unity, political philosophy, and American values. -
Battle of Saratoga
After a more minor battle, another engagement occurred between British, led by General Burgoyne and American, led by Horatio Gates, forces at Saratoga. British forces, after heavy causalities retreated back to their fortifications. However, because British reinforcements from New York were too far away to arrive in time, Burgoyne surrendered his surrounded army to the Americans. -
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Valley Forge
Washington and his 12,000 man army wintered at Valley Forge for six months. Due to disease, poor supply lines, the massive amount of solders to feed, and winter, nearly two thousand soldiers died during the six months. -
France Enters the War
Although France provided aid to the Americans at the outset of the war, they were hesitant to assist directly. After American assurance of independence and not reconciliation with Britain, and an American victory at Saratoga, France formally recognized the United States. Shortly after, Britain declared war on France, formally bringing France into the conflict. -
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Battle of Yorktown
French and American forces joined together in blockading General Cornwallis at Yorktown in Virginia. As outer redoubts began to fall, and the bombardment grew more intense, Cornwallis decided to surrender. This battle proved decisive, as soon after the British agreed to cease hostilities. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris formally ended the American Revolutionary War. The terms proved generous to the new United States and it greatly increased its territory. -
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Presidency of John Adams
While Washington proved to be a unifying figure and presence, John Adams was the first president that belonged to a political party. Because of this, Adam's Presidency, while accomplishing many things, is often remembered as a time of bitter rivalry and politicking. -
The United States Constitution
A seminal event in the history of the United States, the US Constitution provided a basis for a stronger federal government than previously existed in the Articles of Confederation. -
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Presidency of George Washington
During the long and costly Revolutionary War, and the resulting time afterwards, Washington's leadership and later presidency proved decisive in ensuring the safety, growing prosperity, and unity of the new republic. In the end, Washington molded and shaped the structure and charter of the United States unlike any during his time or after.
