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Treaty of Paris, 1763
The treaty that ended the French and Indian War. The British now controlled the land from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River and the French were kicked out of North America. The British became the dominate power in North America. -
Proclamation of 1763
Prevented the colonists from settling beyond the Appalachian Mountains. This angered the colonists because they didn't understand why they couldn't settle on British land. In realty, the crown was trying to solve the Native American problem before settlers started moving West. -
Sugar Act
Placed a tax on molasses and sugar coming from the West Indies. It was the first tax to be placed on the colonies for the benefit of the English motherland. -
Sons and Daughters of Liberty
They were formed in response to the Stamp Act. They used press, propaganda, boycotts, and sometimes violence to express their opinions. For example, sometimes they would tar and feather the tax collectors. -
Stamp Act
A tax on paper products, like legal documents and playing cards. It split the British off from the colonists, and the colonists thought that the law was fiscal aggression. The colonists believed that the act was only there to take their money. -
Quartering Act
Ordered colonists to provide food and shelter for British troops stationed in the colonies. The act fueled colonists' anger towards the British crown and government. Some colonial assemblies refused to follow the Quartering Act. -
Stamp Act Congress
27 distinguished delegates from nine colonies assembled to discuss colonial outcries against the hated Stamp Act. The most conspicuous assemblage was in New York. -
Declaratory Act
Restated Parliament's right to tax the colonies. The act was the declaration of England's side of the war. -
Townshend Acts
This act placed on indirect tax on imported glass, white lead, paper, paint, and tea that could be payed at American Ports. The colonists despised this act because it still demanded taxes without representation. -
Boston Massacre
No one knows exactly who started the fight, although 11 colonists were shot and killed in British fire. It is said to have started out as a protest from the colonist of the death of an eleven year old boy. -
Committees of Correspondence
The purpose of the committees was to spread the spirit of the rebellion and to teach others the wrong doings of England. The first one was created by Samuel Adams. -
The Boston Tea Party
Was the effect of the Townshend Acts. The colonists disguised themselves as Native Americas, boarded British ships, and dumped barrels of tea in the Boston Harbor. -
Intolerable Acts "Coercive Acts"
This was put into place to persuade and/or force the colonists to pay taxes and follow the law. The colonists did not like it. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates met in Philadelphia to discuss how to fix colonial problems. By the end, they wrote the Declaration of Rights and sent it off King George III. -
The Association
Was a group created by the First Continental Congress. This group called for a colonies wide boycott of any British goods. (Although they were boycotting goods, they were not yet declaring independence.) -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
Were the first battles of the American Revolution. It gave the colonists and the British an idea on how the rebel forces fought. -
Second Continental Congress
All thirteen colonies came together to discuss another peace petition for Great Britain, in case the odds didn't turn in their favor, they started to develop an army which George Washington as the leader. This proved that the colonists were prepared to fight if need be. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill was one of the first battles of the American Revolution. Although the colonists lost the battle, due to the lack of ammunition, it did prove to the Americans and the British that the rebels were perfectly capable of holding their own in a fight. -
Olive Branch Petition
A petition that was submitted to British proving American loyalty and seeking an end to the hostilities. This didn't not settle well with King George as he rejected the petition and pro-claimed the colonies rebellious. (Denied on July 08, 1775) -
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Common Sense was written by Thomas Paine to persuade Americans into joining the war cause. He explain how it was only natural to go to war and discussed his views on a republic government. -
Declaration of Independence
A formal announcement from the colonist of their independence from Britain, it was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and was approved by congress. The declaration was the final step that the colonists took to confirm their want of independence. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington and his men seized a group of sleeping German Hessians. The victory allowed for a the later on victory at Princeton. -
Battle of Saratoga
Was the turning point of the American revolution. After the the battle, the French started to openly show their support towards the Americans. -
Battle of Yorktown
Was the last official battle of the American Revolution. Colonists and French aid surrounded the town of Yorktown and cut off their supplies until the British were trapped. Once all supplies were cut off the fighting started and Lord Cornwallis, a British general, was forced to announced a surrender. The ending of the Battle of Yorktown told the new Americans and the British that the war was over. Lord Cornwallis was forced to surrender to General George Washington. -
Treaty of Paris, 1783
The treaty officially announced the independence of the colonists. The treaty stated that the British had lost the war, declared the borders of the United States, and made the Americans promise that British Loyalists would not be harmed in any way.
