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The French and Indian War
England had a seven-year long war with France, involving the colonies. After the war, England was in great debt, leading to taxation of the colonies. -
Proclamation of 1763
A proclamation that forbade settlers from advancing beyond the Appalachians and allowed England to control westward expansion. Though natives were pleased, colonists were not. The proclamation ended up useless, as colonists weren't deterred from expanding west. -
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(Colonial Responses)
Colonies resented the taxes and acts placed upon them. During this, the Paxton Boys, a violent group who opposed the taxes and threatened bloodshed, and the Regulator Movement, farmers in the Carolinas who also opposed the taxes, were formed. The Sons of Liberty formed. attacking stamp agents and destroying government buildings. -
Sugar Act
An act that intended to end the illegal sugar trade between the colonists and French/Spanish West Indies. Damaged the sugar economy in the colonies by taxing sugar and lowering the duty on molasses. It also established courts in the colonies to try and punish smugglers quickly. -
Currency Act
Prevented the colonists from printing their own paper currency and to retire the money already printed, as the colonists were printing their own currency as of the Seven Years War. -
Townshend Acts
Charles Townshend enacted the following acts: The Quartering (Mutiny) Act, which required colonists to provide housing and supplies for off-duty soldiers, and the Townshend Duties, which taxed imports from Britain, including lead, paint, paper, and tea. -
Stamp Act
An act that required merchants to use and buy stamps for shipping documents and papers. Taxed mostly merchants who worked with legal documents and newspapers. While the tax itself wasn't expensive, Americans were outraged at the meaning behind the tax.Colonists called for a repeal of the tax and threatened mutiny. -
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(Responses to Townshend)
The Massachusetts Assembly circulates a letter of opposition in 1767. It was mostly unnoticed until it was officially recognized and rejected by Britain. Boycotts in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia were enacted against Britain. Townshend then suddenly dies, and the duties and taxes are quickly repealed. -
The Boston Massacre
During a protest held against soldiers, shots were fired and a number of colonist protesters were killed. Local resistance leaders ran with the incident to create an image of violent British oppression. Soldiers were found guilty of manslaughter, though colonial propaganda called them murders. -
Tea Act + Boston Tea Party
Britain enacted the Tea Act in an attempt to save the British East India company, allowing the company to export to America without navigation taxes, underselling American companies. This led to American outrage, leading to a strong boycott of tea. They dumped the tea in the Hudson bay. Women, as the principal consumers of tea, gained more power in the revolution as a result. -
Intolerable Acts
In response to the Boston Tea Party, Britain closed Boston ports, reduced the autonomy of American governments, forced accused to be tried in Britain, and forced colonists to quarter troops. This led to yet another spark of resistance in the colonists. -
Bunker Hill
A war the British won, at a cost. The bloodiest battle in the war ended with over 1000 British and over 400 American casualties and injuries. -
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Lexington & Concord
The first major event to start the war. A battle that involved many small towns outside Boston. Minutemen meet British Redcoats in brief skirmishes. The first of these battles is known as "the shot heard around the world." -
Delaware Crossing + Battle of Trenton
On Christmas night, Washington led a surprise attack on the British. In retaliation, mercenaries Britain hired attacked in response. However, it was a battle won by the Continental Army, leading to higher morale and inspiration. -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet known as Common Sense, describing Britain's crimes against the American public. It managed to get a large number of American citizens to fully become radicalized, making them begin to rally for independence. -
Declaration of Independence
America finally declares its separation from Britain. In a written announcement signed by a gathering of men in Pennsylvania, the many authors write their grievances against Britain and explain their separation. A major part of the war, as it is a formal announcement of separation. -
Battle of Saratoga
Two battles fought in fall 1777. The second was won by the Continental Army, making it a major turning point. The victory led to France finally joining sides with the Americans. -
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Valley Forge
Washington's army is in Pennsylvania during the winter. Harsh colds and famine kill 2000 men. Though surviving soldiers are met with a newfound inspiration to keep fighting once spring and summer arrive. -
Yorktown
The French navy arrive to support the Continental Army, and French support helps the soldiers greatly. Lord Cornwallis, the British general, surrenders to Washington's army, and America wins the Revolutionary war.
