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French and Indian War
War fought from 1754 to 1763 over the land between the French and English called the "Ohio Valley". It was fought In America and the Indians helped the French, since they would be losing their land too. The British won, but the cost was so expensive and put them into such huge debt that it basically ruined the British government. -
Treaty of 1763
The French lost the French and Indian war, forcing them, the Indians, and Spain to give up their land. This brought an end to the Seven Years War. It gave power to Britain because it made Britain the world's leading colonial power, and gave them control over the thirteen colonies. -
Proclamation of 1763
The British announced a law that stated the land between during the French and Indian war would be reserved for the Native Americans and that no colonists were allowed to live there. The colonists were upset about this because they couldn't move west of the Appalachian mountains and it also meant that the British had more close control over them. -
Stamp Act
The British made a it a law to pay taxes on any paper item- newspapers, books, magazines, legal documents, and more. The colonists were upset about this because they had to pay out of pocket for these things. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was deadly riot that was in Boston.It started from a mob harassing British soldiers, causing the British soldiers to shoot. At first it was one soldier and a few colonists, but quickly grew into a huge, chaotic, and bloody fight. It was then publicized and many people were involved/heard about it. This is important because it made colonists even more angry at the British and worsened the situation between them. -
Boston Tea party
This was a political protest on the Tea Act, which said that colonists had to pay a tax on tea along with many other products that colonists held against the British in Massachusetts. The colonists were mad about the taxes because they had to pay a lot and they didn't get to choose anything, which is where the term "taxation without representation" comes from. During this protest, colonists threw tons of boxes of tea into the sea, costing the British millions. -
Intolerable Acts
These were a number of laws that were put into place to punish the colonists in Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. It included the Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act, Quartering Act, and Quebec Act. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
These battles started the American Revolutionary War. The Lexington Battle was small, but very important. Someone fired the first shot, no one knows who, and that shot started the Revolutionary war. After Lexington, the war moved on to Concord. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
This was the first big or major battle of the American Revolution. It was fought in Charlestown. The British won it. -
Publication of Common Sense
This was a book written by Thomas Paine. It basically advertised Independence. It was extremely popular and very persuasive. -
Declaration of Independence
This was a document written by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. It declared freedom and "broke up" the colonists from the British. It stated that the thirteen colonies were now independant. -
Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton was held in New Jersey. It was a small battle in which Washington's raid defeated the Hessian Army. It was the first victory for Americans in a while, so they were very happy. -
Battle of Saratoga
This was fought over two battles. The American won this war, which is important because now other countries such as France started to believe that the Americans could win the war. -
Valley Forge
Washington led his troops around Philadelphia, where they spent six months. It was during winter and many struggles to survive because of a shortage of supplies and food. Many also died of disease. -
Battle of Cowpens
A battle fought in South Carolina that the Americans unarguably won. It had many casualties that affected the British in such a bad way that they wouldn't be able to recover from it. -
Battle of Yorktown
This was a battle held in Virginia that the Americans won. It was important because it was the last major battle of the American Revolution. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
This was a document signed by the Americans and the British that ended the Revolutionary War. It gave the Americans independence and gave them the western territory.
