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Beginning of French and Indian War
Tensions rise between Britain and France. They both want to control the area of the Ohio River Valley. In order to settle this matter, the French and Indian War began. Native Americans tribes allied with France or the colonists based on trade. The Battle of Fort Necessity takes place officially starting the French and Indian War. Washington's soldiers are defeated. forcing them to surrender. The French capture Fort Necessity. -
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French and Indian War
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Fort Duquesne
In the Battle of Fort Duquesne, the British force was outmaneuvered, surrounded, and destroyed by the French. The British's assault failed. Although the French won over the initial British attack, they could not defend Fort Duquesne against the main British force that was to come, so they retreated back. The fort was left for the British to recapture. Fort Duquesne was renamed Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh) after William Pitt, who ordered the capture of the fort. -
Fort Ticonderoga
British troops invade Fort Ticonderoga and recapture it from the French. -
Battle of Quebec
The Battle of Quebec is considered the turning point of the French and Indian War. In 1759, James Wolfe led his troops to battle at Quebec, the capital of New France. Both Wolfe and the French commander were killed in the battle. The British captured Quebec which decided the fate of New France. -
End of French and Indian War (Treaty of Paris)
In the Siege of Montreal, the French are badly outnumbered by the Americans causing them to lose. In 1763, the Treaty of Paris is signed officially ending the French and Indian War. After the war, both sides suffered from losses of men and supplies. -
Pontiac's Rebellion
In 1763, American Indians attacked British forts on the frontier to drive out the colonists and give up all European practices. Pontiac led the attack on Fort Detroit and Fort Pitt, Britain's main supply centers. Despite the efforts of Pontiac, the British defended for months, so the Indians became tired of attacking. The American Indians surrendered in 1766 -
Beginning of Revolutionary War
The "Shot Heard Round the World" is fired at Lexington and Concord, starting the Revolutionary War. The 5 Grievances of the King are:
1) Refused to sign laws that our colonial legislature passed.
2) Gave no representation in Parliament.
3) Search and seizure without permission.
4) Quartering of soldiers.
4) Trial by British court instead of colonial jury. -
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American Revolutionary War
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Battle of Bunker Hill
On Breed's Hill, the Continental Army fight against the British despite the outnumbered colonists. The British suffered more than 1,000 casualties, compared to 400 for the colonists. This showed the colonists that they could hold off against the British on their own. -
Declaration of Independence
In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed by Thomas Jefferson and delegates of the Continental Congress. Many Americans wanted to declare independence from Great Britain because of the acts that were passed. The Declaration of Independence listed reasons and grievances of why the US should be independent. It inspired many people to support American independence and fight against Britain. -
Battle of Trenton & Princeton (Major Battles)
On Christmas night in 1776, Washington and his soldiers cross the Delaware River, and attack the suprised and unprepared Hessians while they are celebrating the holiday. In the Battle of Princeton, the Patriots planned another surprise attack for the British. They left their campfires burning for the British to see, and hid behind the British troops. When the British troops found the camp site, the Patriots surrounded the British and attacked them. The battle ended in another victory for the US -
Battles of Saratoga (Major Battle)
The Battle of Saratoga is considered as the turning point of the Revolutionary War. The British troops planned to take back Fort Ticonderoga. General John Burgoyne marched south, while another force would march east from Lake Ontario. General Howe's troops in New York City would march north and all 3 groups would come together, but the plan failed when Washington stalled Howe's army at Brandywine Creek causing Burgoyne to be outnumbered by the Patriots. On October 17, Burgoyne surrendered. -
Siege of Fort Vincennes (Major Battle)
In 1779, General Clark and his soldiers set out toward Kaskaskia in the west through the difficult route to surprise the enemy. The plan worked and the enemy leaders surrendered. Clark's efforts greatly weakened the British army in the west. -
Battle of Yorktown
British general Cornwallis wanted to tighten his hold on the southern colonies so he moved his forces into Yorktown, Virginia. Washington and Rochambeau planned a strategy to all meet up at Yorktown and surround Cornwallis and his soldiers. The plan was successful and Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781. The Battle of Yorktown is the last battle of the Revolutionary War. -
End of Revolutionary War
The Treaty of Paris of 1783 officially ended the Revolutionary War. Great Britain recognized US independence, and the nation's western border was set along the Mississippi River. The most important people throughout the war were George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, Benjamin Franklin, Von Steuben, Horatio Gates, and Benedict Arnold.
