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Treaty of Paris 1763
Ended the French and Indian War in the Americas. Due to the treaty France lost almost all of its territories in the Americas -
Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 prohibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains due to fear of Native Americans attacks. -
Sugar Act
It was the first law ever passed for raising tax revenue in the colonies for the crown. -
Stamp Act
It was a tax on paper products and legal documents. The goal was to raise revenue to support the British military force. People in England payed a higher tax but the colonists were angry about their lack of representation in Parliament. -
Quartering Act
Colonists were required by law to house and feed British soldiers. -
Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress stated the rights and grievances of the colonists. They asked the King and Parliament to repeal the legislation. Their request was ignored in England and was a significant step in inter colonial unity. (October 7, 1765 - October 25, 1765) -
Declaratory Act
Parliament passed this act in order prove its dominance over the colonies. It reaffirmed that Parliament could pass any law no matter the circumstances. -
Townshend Acts
It was a light import tax on glass, white lead, paper, paint, and tea. Colonists still refused to pay without representation. -
Boston Massacre
Colonists began to ignore the Townshend Acts and started smuggling in cheap tea. The British then sent two regiments of troops to Boston to enforce order. A clash erupted between them and it became known as the Boston Massacre. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of the Sons of Liberty, dressed as Native Americans, boarded ships filled with tea. They smashed open 342 chests of tea and dumped the contents into the harbor. -
Intolerable Acts
These acts took away many rights of the people in Massachusetts. Restrictions were put on town meetings, officials who killed colonists in the line of duty could be sent back to Britain for trial, and a new Quartering Act was enforced. The colonists saw these acts intolerable, hence the name. -
First Continental Congress
12/13 colonies(missing Georgia) met in Philadelphia to what to do about the British. They weren’t calling for independence, just the repeal of offensive legislation and a complete boycott of British goods. -
Lexington and Concord
Colonists began gathering weapons and drilling openly. Due to that, the British sent troops to Lexington and Concord to retrieve the colonists gunpowder. At Lexington the “Minute Men” would not back down so shots were fired, killing 8 Americans and wounding more. After that, the British moved into Concord where they lost. That was the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. -
Second Continental Congress
The Congress selected George Washington to lead the army besieging Boston. Washington’s selection was largely political(already wealthy, from Virginia). But he was gifted with leadership skills and a strong character. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Americans had taken Bunker Hill. When the British attacked they made a mistake in strategy, mounting a frontal assault. It was a bloodbath, and if not for their lack of ammunition the Americans would not have had to retreat. -
Olive Branch Petition
It was a petition drawn up by the Continental Congress professing loyalty to the crown and begging the prevention of any further hostilities. Following Bunker Hill the King declined any attempt at reconciliation. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was approved by Congress. It became an inspiration to many other revolutionary movements. -
Trenton
General Washington stealthily recrossed the Delaware River after having to retreat from General William Howe’s forces. He surprised and captured 1,000 Hessians. -
Saratoga
General Howe settled in Philadelphia and left Burgoyne in upper New York. Burgoyne was trapped and forced to surrender to General Horatio Gates. -
Valley Forge
Soldiers went with out bread for 3 days, manufactured goods were in short supply, and clothing and shoes were scarce. (December 19, 1777 - June 19, 1778) -
Yorktown
British General Cornwallis fell into an American trap. He fell back to Chesapeake Bay at Yorktown where he was waiting for seaborne supplies and reinforcements. His mistake was assuming that Britain still controlled the seas. French Admiral de Grasse joined the Americans against Cornwallis at Yorktown. General Washington and his forces attacked from the land while de Grasse blockaded any aid arriving from sea. Cornwallis then surrendered his force of 7,000 men on October 19, 1781. -
Treaty of Paris
It was a treaty signed by Great Britain and the United States of America to formally end the American Revolutionary War. Britain was to recognize the independence of the United States. Americans agreed to not further persecute Loyalists, Loyalist property was to be restored, and debts owed to British creditors were to be paid. The British were to accept defeat in North America and ending the war allowed England to rebuild.
