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French And Indian War (Seven Years War)
A war fought between Great Britain and France in which Britain gained territory within North America. The disputes between the colonies in America and Britain taxing the new land to way for it's war, eventually lead to the American Revolution. General Edward Braddock was sent to North America as a Commander and Chief (Fowler 2009). -
Proclamation of 1763
The colonial British government restructured the management of Indian affairs, establishing the basic framework for conceptualizing after the French and Indian War. In this document it recognized Native Americans rights within the land and trade, as well as colonial expansion (Clinton 1989). -
Stamp Act
As a means to provide protection for the American frontier along the Appalachian Mountains. Britain thought it was best to tax the colonist without consent of the colonial legislature. This will be the starting point of frustration for the colonist against Britain, being that they are being taxed to raise money instead of being a means to regulate commerce. The colonist began to form groups known as the Sons of Liberty, all agreeing on the opposition of taxes (Morgan 1956). -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act was passed, allowing soldiers to take up room and board, outlining specific locations and regulations. As well as providing the British soldiers with food. -
Stamp Act of Congress
Twenty-seven delegates from nine colonies met to delegate fourteen principles in resistance to Britain's tax laws. The colonist were angry with being taxed without representation or personal consent. The rise in taxes and in frustration aided this meeting of congress. Among these delegates were John Dickenson of Pennsylvania, Timothy Ruggles from Massachusetts, and John Rutledge from South Carolina, just to name a few (Morgan 2012). -
Boston Massacre
The Boston massacre was an event that liberated the Patriot cause. British Soldiers shot and killed five people during a patriot mob gathering that was fueled by the unwelcoming feelings towards the British soldiers in Boston. Samuel Adams and Josiah Quincy II defended the British, leading to their acquittal and releases. Later on the Royal Governor removed the armed forces from the town and lead to the revolutionary rebellion (Foote 2009). -
Tea Act
Due to the immense debt that the British government was in, American colonist suffered taxation, especially a tax put on the importation of tea. This tax was used to get The East India Trading Company out of deep waters, so to speak. Tea during this time period was practically "liquid from the gods" and was favored over food. This raised concern and disagreement against Britain and taxation which will lead to future events that will take place sooner rather than later (Tea Act 2009). -
Boston Tea Party
The Sons of Liberty politically protested against the British Parliaments tea act. Three hundred and forty two chest of tea were dumped into Bostons harbor. The protest was in reaction to the East India Company's tax on tea to prevent the company from faltering. The colonist saw this as an act of tyranny and took action, resulting in an estimated $18,000 loss (The Boston Tea Party 2009). -
Coercive (Intolerable) Acts
Britain was outraged over the actions colonist took over the tea act. This act was put into motion and allowed for the closing of Bostons harbor to merchant shipping, the requirement of Americans to quarter British soldiers. This also established the British military in Massachusetts and enabled immunity to British officials from criminal prosecution in America (The Boston Tea Party 2009). -
First Continental Congress
The first Continental Congress gathered out of frustration towards the Coercive acts. Delegates from twelve out of the thirteen colonies , 56 in total, met to discuss either a resolution with England or sought defense of colonial rights. Patrick Henry, George Washington, and John Adams were a few of the delegates who attended this first meeting of the Continental Congress (McGill p.1). -
Second Continental Congress
Thirteen colonies send delegates to a convention held in Philadelphia after the Revolutionary War had already begun. During this Conventional meeting, America took a big step, and declared independence from Britain. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington & Concord were the first engagement of the Revolutionary War. Many event took place leading up to this moment such as the Sugar, Stamp, and Townsend Acts, which raised tension between Britain and the colonist.The British aimed to from Boston to Concord to seize arms. The British retreated, leaving the colonist with their first win towards independence (Would the Shots Be Heard Around the World p.23). -
New York and New Jersey Campaign
A series of battles underwent for the control over New York City and the State of New Jersey with the British under General Howe's command and the Continental Army receiving orders from General Washington. Initially Howe was successful at keeping Washington out of New York City. However he wasn't as successful with maintaining New Jersey, which ended the campaign with the exception of a few outpost near the city of New York. -
Battle of Princeton
Cornwallis arrived at Trenton with the intention to overtake the continental army. During this course of action, Washington took his army north along the side of the British militia camp, in doing so they met with the British rear guard. Their guard was struggling behind and was outnumbered by Washington's army five to one. The British lost a great number of men and decided to leave most of New Jersey to Washington and the British abandoned Now Jerseys Loyalist permanently. -
Battle of Saratoga
Two battles were fought during the battle of Saratoga and served as another turning point of the war. On 19 September 1777, British General celebrated a small but costly victory over the American forces lead by Gates and Arnold. However on the 7 October 1777, he was forced to retreat and surrender 10 days later due to his weakened strength in troops. This was the battle that convinced the French government that the Americans cause was worth it and came to their aid. -
The Southern Campaign
After the British suffered from a number of losses with a few victories in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, strategist suggested moving their attention to the southern colonies of America.The rival between the patriots and loyalist grew and sometimes ripped families apart due to differing ideals.However Britain had its eyes on the southern agricultural products and saw the south, especially Savannah and Charleston, as a postwar trading rejuvenation site. -
Articles of Confederation
In November of 1777, the Articles of the Confederation was adopted by the Continental Congress and served as the first constitution of the United States under the signing of eight states. Trough the previous years it was ratified and sign by the following states of the 13 colonies. Once Maryland signed the articles, it had be signed by and ratified by all thirteen states. -
Battle of Yorktown
Known as the most important battle of the Revolutionary war, General Washington encircled Britain's General Lord Cornwallis in Yorktown, preventing his escape by land or sea. After three weeks of continuous fighting, Cornwallis surrendered to Washington, ending the war for Independence. -
Constitutional Convention
It was here at this convention, that a series of check and balances were initiated and the re-enforcement of the federal government took place. It was envisioned that the federal government held specific powers such as, foreign affairs that was under the authority of the executive branch, but treaty ratification remain under the responsibility of the legislative branch. These terms served as a foundation of the US government. -
Ratification of the Constitution
Over the next couple of year, states ratified and proposed bill of rights to congress for improvement of the constitution. Through time all of the states sign and ratified the Constitution, which still holds as the foundation of the United States government today.
