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Revolutionary Era
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Treaty of Paris
Treaty signed to end Seven Years war, otherwise known as the French and Indian War. It redistributed colonial territory in the Americas. -
Royal Proclamation of 1763
The monrachy that today is Great Britain issued a proclamation highlighting the capture of French Territory. It forbade settlers to move west of the Appalachian Mountain range. -
Sugar Act
Raised revenue from taxes on sugar. It added extra tax on sugar bought in the British Colonies in North America. Later taxes caused more public outcry. -
Currency Act
British Monarchy enacts a law prohibiting the Colonists from producing their own currency. This was to maintain the strong buying power of the Pound Sterling. -
Stamp Act
Printed Goods sold with relation to the Americas were Stamped. A stamp imposed extrra tax on the item. Some public outcry, which would eventually lead to large anti-Britain sentiment. -
Quartering Act
An act proclaiming that Colonial residents must feed and shelter soldiers. This caused dissent among some colonial groups, among them the Sons of Liberty. Quartering is illegal in the modern day U.S. -
Patrick Henry's Speech
Patrick Henry, branded a radical thinker delivered a speech on the recent tax and quartering acts. His famous quote, "If this be treason, make the most of it!" comes from this speech -
Declaratory Act
Declared by the British that the Colonies should always be dependent on the crown. Some Colonists were fiercely independent, and didn't like the connotations carried by the act. -
Townshend Acts
Five laws passed by the British Parliament, requiring more revenue from the colonies. This was in order to pay off the debt accumulated by the war effort. This later would contribute to the feelings of dissent that spurren the onset of revolution. -
Boston Non-Importation Agreement
Boston Merchants and Traders discharged their debts to Great Britain, one again creating a feeling of independence. -
Boston Massacre
A street fight between Patriot mobs and the British Army. The Patriots threw sticks and stones at the army. They responded by firing and killing Colonists. The colonists felt this was unjust, and caused even more anti-British sentiment. -
The Gaspee Affair
The Captain of a British patrol ship, Lieutenant Dunnington is very harsh in enforcing the Boston Harbor. His ship, the HMS Gaspee is feared. He harasses the Sons of Liberty, which view this as unjust. They lead the HMS Gaspee aground near Providence, Rhode Island -
Tea Act
To help the struggling East India Company, Britain allows them duty free importation to the Americas. The townshend acts are still in plac. The lowered price without tax, was hoped to increase purchase. The patriot colonists are angered by what they view as a move to promote the new tax acts. This is one of the final sparks to set war in motion. -
Boston Tea Party
Governor Thomas Hutchinson of Massachusetts allowed three tea ships into Boston Harbor on December 16. Radical colonists, memberd of the Sons of Liberty, unhappy with the goings-on, board the shipa and dump 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. The retributionfr this was the intolerable acts. -
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Intolerable Acts
5 Acts imposed by the British Parliament are deemed intolerable by the colonists. The first was the Boston Port Act. This deemed landing and discharging of goods at Boston. This caused outcry among Bostonians. Second was the judging of the riots, which was supposed to be impartial. The third was the Massachusetts Government Act. This deemed the Colonies unfit for choosing their rulers. There were more rules added about quaterting. The final one was the Quebec act, which set borders for Quebec -
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1st Continental Congress
The 1st Continental Congress assembled in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774. They discussed the state of the colonies and whether to revolt or not. Famous attendees include Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and George Washington. They commisioned the Declaration of Independence. -
The Association
The colonial people enacted an agreement to prohibit trade with Great Britain. -
Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death Speech
Patrick Henry issues a speech to rouse colonists. His objective was to raise enough anti-Britain sentiment to start the Revolution. -
Rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes
Paul Revere and William Dawes spread the message of imminent British arrival from Lexington to Concord. -
The Shot Heard Around the World
At Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts minutemen and redcoat British clash at Lexington Green. This remains the widely accepted start of the Revolution. The shot heard around the world refers to the change this spurred. -
2nd Continental Congress
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George Washington Appointed Commander-in-Chief
The Continental Congress declares that George Washington, born February 22, 1750, is to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The redcoats and militia meet in battle at Breeds Hill, Massachusetts, mistakenly thought to be Bunker hill, a different hill. This battle is the origin of the quote, "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes>" -
Failure to Seize Quebec
American militia troops fail to seize Quebec in canada. They are under the command of BEnedict Arnold, who would later turn traitor to the Colonies. -
Common Sense Published
Thomas Paine published a pamphlet entitled "Common Sense" in order to further inspire people to fight for independence. -
First Virginia Constitution
A constitution for Virginia drafted on June 29, 1776. It was agreed upon by local freedmen. -
Declaration of Independence Signed
The Continental Congress signed Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. They officially declared separation from Britain. The original survives in the Library of Congress to this day. Four copies were printed by John Dunlap. -
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
First Public reading of the Declaration of Independence. It occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. -
Defeat at Valcour Island, Lake Champlain, Modern-day Vermont
Benedict Arnold defeated on Northern Frontier. However, he was able to push back the British forces. -
Washington Crosses the Delaware.
George Washington lead troops across the Delaware River on the day after Christmas. They recaptured Trenton, New Jersey from Hessian (German Mercenaries) occupation. -
Victory at Princeton
George Washington secures Princeton, New Jersey. -
Lafayette Arrives in Philadelphia
Marquis de Lafayette, a French general, arrives in Philadelphia to assist the Continental Army. The French, longtime enemies of the British want to assist the Americans in securing their independence. -
British Occupy Philadelphia
Under General Howe, The British Redcoats occupy the capital of sorts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They force the colonials to quarter them. -
Winter At Valley Forge
Washington sets up winter quarters at Valley Forge, outside Philadelphia. The winter is brutal and causes many casualties -
U.S. and France sign French Alliance
The treaty of alliance between Colonial America and France was signed. This helped the Colonial Militia train to become better soldiers. The militia was largely made up of farmers, and other men unused to the battlefield. -
British Army Leaves Philadelphia
The British leave Philadelphia, retreating to New York City. This marks a key turning point in the Colonists' favor. -
Washington Leaves Valley Forge
Continental Army leaves Valey Forge, where they spent the brutal, snowy winter of 1777 -
Capture of Charleston, South Carolina
British Army captures Charleston, South Carolina. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, a precursor to the modern Constitution are adopted. -
Battle of Yorktown, Virginia
George Washington, with French allies, corners British troops under Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. Surrounded on all sides, Cornwallis is forced to surrender. -
Second Treaty of Paris
The American Colonies sign a treaty with Britain
