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The French and Indian War
Was the beginging of the open hostilities between the colonies and Great Britain. This war effort resulted in the remarkable growth of the colonies population. -
The French and Indian War
Was the beginging of the open hostilities between the colonies and Great Britain. This war effort resulted in the remarkable growth of the colonies population. -
The Sugar Act
A tax for sugar and molasses, the act reduced the rate of tax on mollasses from 6% to 3% per gallon. This lead to the revolt of the stamp act. -
The Stamp Act
This act was Parliament’s first serious attempt to assert governmental authorty over the colonies. After Britian’s 7 year war the citizens were taxed at a rate that created a serious threat to revolt. -
The Stamp Act Congress
A boycott of all the colonies towards Britain against the stamp act. "No taxation without representation!" essential step toward the unity that would be necessary to declare boldly their independence from mother England. -
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The Stamp Act Congress
A boycott of all the colonies towards Britain against the stamp act. "No taxation without representation!" essential step toward the unity that would be necessary to declare boldly their independence from mother England. -
Townshend Acts
The acts imposed duties on glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea imported into the colonies and created a Board of Customs Commissioners to enforce customs laws without the accused having recourse to a trial by jury. This reduced imports by half. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a street fight that was between a "patriot" mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British soldiers. Several colonists were killed and this led to a campaign by speech-writers to rouse the ire of the citizenry. -
The Boston Tea Party
A group of Massachusetts Patriots, protesting the monopoly on American tea importation recently granted by Parliament to the East India Company, seized 342 chests of tea in a midnight raid on three tea ships and threw them into the harbor. This lead to constint meatings. -
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The First Continental Congress
9/5-10/26, 1774
The first Continental Congress met in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. All of the colonies except Georgia sent delegates. Pennsylvania and New York sent delegates with firm instructions to seek a resolution with England. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
Hundreds of British troops marched from Boston to nearby Concord in order to seize an arms cache. Paul Revere and other riders sounded the alarm, and colonial militiamen began mobilizing to intercept the Redcoat column. A confrontation on the Lexington town green started off the fighting, and soon the British were hastily retreating under intense fire. -
The Second Continental Congress
5/10/1775
The Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia. CONTINENTAL ARMY would be created. -
George Washington named Commander in Chief
6/15/1775
Washington officially took command of the poorly trained and under-supplied Continental Army. After six years of struggle and despite frequent setbacks, Washington managed to lead the army to key victories and Great Britain eventually surrendered in 1781. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Early in the Revolutionary War, the British defeated the Americans at the Battle of Bunker Hill in Massachusetts. Despite their loss, the inexperienced colonial forces inflicted significant casualties against the enemy, and the battle provided them with an important confidence boost. -
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" published
Writer Thomas Paine publishes his pamphlet "Common Sense," setting forth his arguments in favor of American independence. Although little used today, pamphlets were an important medium for the spread of ideas in the 16th through 19th centuries. -
The British evacuate Boston
During the American War for Independence, British forces are forced to evacuate Boston following Patriot General George Washington's successful placement of fortifications and cannons on Dorchester Heights, which overlooks the city from the south. -
Richard Henry Lee proposes Independence
Richard Henry Lee wrote the short resolution that started an unstoppable train in motion for independce. -
Declaration of Independence adopted
By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain. The Declaration summarized the colonists’ motivations for seeking their independence. By declaring themselves an independent nation, the American colonists were able to conclude an official alliance with the government of France and obtain French assistance in the war against -
Declaration of Independence signed
8/2/1776
Fifty-six congressional delegates in total signed the document, including some who were not present at the vote approving the declaration. News of the Declaration of Independence arrived in London eight days later, on August 10.
