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french indian war
May 1756 to February 10, 1763
A war between british colonies and french colonies, both supported by home countries. With the spanish joining the french in the latter half of the war, and with Mohawk indians on both sides. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1763. The war left britain with new territory and debt to match. This would cause them to heavily tax the colonies in the following years. -
Treaty of 1763
This treaty ended the french and indian war. France was forced to forfeit it's land in north america to britain. After this treaty, the spanish occupied central north america and the english occupied the east coast. The closest french occupied settlement near to english settlements after this treaty was st domingue. We also controlled majority of canada after the treaty. -
Proclamation of 1763
Issued by King George the third, on October 7, 1763. It forbade settlers from settling west of the appalachian mountains. This was to appease the indians after the war. Any colonists already settled over the border were kicked back to the east of the border. Colonists did not enjoy this, this made them uncontent. They felt as though britain was only doing this to make them easier to watch. -
stamp act
Since britain was in debt from the french indian war, they needed money to pay off the debt, so they looked at the colonies for this. One act/tax imposed by the british was the stamp act. This act required colonists to pay for a stamp on any legal documents they made or bought. Wills, deeds, newspapers, pamphlets, playing cards and dice all required stamps. The colonists saw this as unnecessary and this increased their anger and uncontent. This also caused the sons of liberty to form. -
Boston Massacre
The boston massacre happened when a group of british soldiers were in boston. A mob formed and started throwing snowballs with rocks in them at the soldiers and harassing them. This caused one of the soldiers to fire into the crowd, promoting the others to fire into the crowd, causing 5 deaths. This was twisted a little and spread as propaganda to the colonists by people like Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. This angered the colonists much more and radicalized groups like sons of liberty even more -
Boston Tea Party
A political protest that was to show discontent of taxation without representation and the tea act. It occurred during the night of december 16 at Griffin's Wharf in Boston. 342 Chests owned by the British East India Company were dumped into the sea. It was committed by the sons of liberty (disguised as native americans). This event (and the french and indian war) is often referred to the start of events that would directly lead to the american revolution. -
Intolerable Acts
Tea party punishment
1)Boston Port Bill
Closed boston harbor and demanded the citizens of boston pay the damages of the boston tea party.
2)Massachusetts Government Act
Replaced local governments with appointed ones and increased power of military governors.
3)Administration of Justice Act
Letted british officials to go to court in another colony or britain if charged with a capital offenses.
4)the Quartering Act
Forced citizens to harbor soldiers and supply them whatever they need if required. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The first military battles of the civil war. Located within Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay, within the towns of Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Menotomy, and Cambridge. The british had planned to launch the attack and destroy militia supplies. However the patriots knew the supplies were at risk and moved them in the time before. Other patriots also warned of the attack. Before battle there was also the famous tell, "one if by land, two if by sea" using the Old North Church. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
During the Siege of Boston was the Battle of Bunker Hill. Located in Charlestown, Massachusetts, majority of fighting took place on Breed's Hill. Colonists learned that the british wanted to take the hills, which would give them control of boston harbor. 1,200 Soldiers under William Prescott stealthily occupied Bunker Hill during the night and constructed a redoubt. The battle ended with the colonists retreating to Cambridge and the british took the Peninsula. -
Publication of Common Sense
Common Sense was written by Thomas Paine. It was a pamphlet that was written clearly and persuasively. It was made to convince Colonies to fight for independent government. It help turn the mindset of the whole nation. Originally it was also published anonymously and pamphlets were how news and opinions got around. -
Declaration of Independence
The declaration of independence does what its name suggests. The document declares independence from great britain. It severed political connections from great britain and declared the colonies as their own country. It also declared war against britain. The 3 main ideas of the declaration are
1)People have certain Inalienable Rights including Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.
2)All Men are created equal.
3)Individuals have a civic duty to defend these rights for themselves and others. -
Battle of Trenton
This battle is where the famous painting of george washington crossing the delaware comes from. After several loses and retreats, moral in the continental army was low. But due to the battle, moral was raised significantly due to low casualties and how easy it was won. This also caused more enlistment and re-enlistment. The short battle ended with 2/3rds of enemy forces being captured,and the rest escaping through Assunpink Creek. -
Battle of Saratoga
Sep 19, 1777 – Oct 17, 1777
2 battles 18 days apart, 9 miles away from Saratoga, New York. Often known as a crucial turning point in the Revolutionary War. Americans corned the british during this battle, making them surrender, and winning us foreign assistance. When King Louis XVI heard of the british surrender, he sided with the colonists after realizing they could win. -
Valley Forge
Defeats prior to valley forge lead some in the Continental Congress to want to replace Washington, believing he wasn't a good leader. Valley forge functioned as the third of eight winter encampments for the Continental Army's main body. In September 1777, congress had to retreat from Philadelphia due to british capture. Washington led 12,000 men into valley forge to train and stay there for 6 months. 1,700 to 2,000 died due to lack of supplies and the cold. -
Battle of Cowpens
The battle took place near the town of Cowpens, South Carolina. It was U.S. forces commanded by Brigadier General Daniel Morgan against British forces under Lieutenant Colonel Sir Banastre Tarleton. The results of the battle were as follows:
U.S. side:
25 killed
124 wounded.
British side:
30% casualties
55% of his force captured or missing
Tarleton and 200 British troops escaped
Quote of John Marshall, "Seldom has a battle, in which greater numbers were not engaged " = big important battle -
Battle of Yorktown
Sep 28, 1781 – Oct 19, 1781
Final major battle of the civil war. It was won by combined forces of america and france. Ended with british forces surrendering, and the capture of him and his army. It boosted american and french moral, and undermined british support. It also lead to the british government to negotiate for the end of the war. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
Signed in Paris by Representatives of King George III and representatives of the United States of America. Set Boundaries for the British in North America and the United States of America. The only article still in effect is article 1. It states United States' existence as free, sovereign, and independent states. Fun fact: the treaty also included fishing rights.
