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French and Indian War
LinkAlso known as the 7 Year's War, the French and Indian War took place between many countries throughout the war. In the colonies, it was between themselves, Britain, and France. The French allied with the Indians and the colonists the British won, and took control of the land that had been lost to them in the Ohio River area. The war started in 1754, but was not officially delcared until May of 1756. -
Treaty of Paris
LinkThis was th official end of the fighting between Britain and France. France lost a lot of land in North America. This was meant to bring the colonists closer to Britain, but now without the threat of France taking their land, the colonists did not feel as though they needed Britain's protection. -
Royal Proclamation
Link This was a proclamation sent by King George III to the colonies to define boundaries after the Treaty of Paris. The colonists did not appriciate it and did not follow many of the items listed in it. The King tried to not allow the colonists to settle in the west. -
Sugar Act
LinkThis Act was passed by Parliament on the colonists. This act raised the tax on many items, including sugar, coffee, and molasses. It was meant to regulate the colonists foreign trade. -
Stamp Act
LinkThis was a tax put on the colonists by Parliament. It mad th e colonists pay for every piece of paper they printed, no matter what it was. It angered the colonists since it was for the benefit of the king and his troops, it raised money for them. The colonists went along with it until the House of Burgesses started to fight it -
Stamp Act Congress
LinkThis congress was formed in New York City, and only had representatives from 9 of the colonies, It came up with the idea of no taxation without representation. This was the first time representatives met to discuss their problems with the British in the colonies. The congress formed the Stamp Act Resolves. -
Townshend Acts
linkThis act put taxes on glass, paint, oil, lead, paper, and tea. This enraged the colonists, and they boycotted the taxes and worked to stop the trade between them and Britain. -
Boston Massacre
LinkThis was an act of violence in the city of Boston. The citizens were enraged that British soldiers were allowed to be staying there. So a group of people went out and started attacking the soldiers, throwing snowballs and rocks at them. The soldiers repsonded by shooting at the people, killing 3. -
Boston Tea Party
Link To respond to the British staying i Boston and taxing the citizens on items like tea, a group of patriots dressed as Mohawk Indians and boarded British ships. They dumped all of the tea on the ship soverboard into the harbor. -
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First Continental Congress
Link This congress met in Carpenter's Hall in Philedelphia. Delegates from all the colonies except Georgia were sent. The people met to discuss what they watned to do to show Britain that they were not happy with what was being done to them. The colonists wanted to be involved in the decisions Britain made about them. -
"Give me Liberty or give me Death
LinkSpeech given by Patrick Henry during a meeting at St. John's Church in Virginia. He rallies the people to join the revolution and form a militia. In this speech he says the famous words "give me liberty or give me death" -
Ride of Paul Revere
LinkIn the night of April 18th, 2 lanterns were hung in the steeple, indicating that the British were moving over the land. Paul Revere was sent out on horseback to warn the people that the redcoats were coming. Once he warned a town their militia was set up so that they could stop the regulars. Reveve was sent to warn the town of Lexington, and whoever else was in that path. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
LinkThe regulars wanted to capture Sam Adams and John Hancock in Lexington, then move onto Concord and take weapondry and supplies. But Paul Revere had warned the militia that they were coming, so this plan was not able to succeed. At Lexington, the "shot heard 'round the world" was fired and the two sides fought eachother before the redcoats marched on the concord, facing more militia along the way. -
Fort Ticonderoga
LinkEthan Allen led the American attack on the Fort to take the supplies held within. They captured it and transported the cannons within it back to Boston to be used against the redcoats. -
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Second Continental Congress
Link This congres voted to form the Continental Army, led by George Washington. They also formed the Olive Branch Petition, which was meant to show the King that they were loyal to him still. But he did not accept the Petition, which angered the people. Now the Congress worked towards independence. All of the states were represented. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Link In the night of June 16th, the colonists militia snuck onto Breed's Hill while the redcoats were sleeping. The colonists held the British off of the hills until they attacked for a third time. They eaited to shoot until they could see the whites of the redcoats' eyes. By then they had run out of ammuntion, so they had to retreat. -
"Common Sense"
LinkThis is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. It was made to insire the colonists to join the rebellion against Britain, and to want to become independent. It was written in very simple language so that everyone could read it. -
British Evacuate Boston
LinkAfter 11 months of occupying Boston, the British were finally forced to leave. They sailed up to Nova Scotia. George Washington led the Continental Army, which was the reason why they decided to leave. William Howe was the British general who decided to leave and go to Nova Scotia. -
Declaration of Independence
Link The Declaration of Independence was written for the colonists in America so that they would have a set of laws once they became independent. It stated the ideas that they wanted, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Representatives from all of the colonies signed it, showing that they wanted to break apart from Britain -
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The Crisis pamphlets published
LinkA series of pamphlets wrtitten by Thomas Paine, The Crisis was created to encourage the colonists to rebel. The first time it was read to a group was on December 23, 1776, when Washington's men needed words of encouragement to get them through the winter and overall, through the war. It was written in a simple language so everyone could read it. -
Washington Captures Trenton
LinkWashington led a large force with many weapons through rough weather towards the city of Trenton. Washington killed the leader of the Hessians, and they did not lknow what to do without him. Washington won the battle and captured many prisoners, and decided to move back across the Deleware River to their camp in Pennsilvania. -
Battle of Saratoga
Link Major General John Burgoyne commanded the British and German who were aiding the British. General Horatio Gates and Brigadier Benedict Arnold were in charge of the Americans. The Americans took charge and forced the British to surrneder. -
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Time at Valley Forge
Link General George Washington led his troops here to recover from the battles. None of the soldiers were well equipt for the winter, and many shelters had to be built. There were very few supplies and inadequite clothing. The food was poor, exxcept for the baked goods, and many animals died from starvation. When it snowed, very little of it could be collected to drink. Many soldiers died due to sickness, spread by living in close quarters with one another. Actual training of the soldiers took place -
Benedict Arnold plans
LinkArnold had joined forces with Allen, and the two did not get along. He was then put in charge of a Canadian invasion plan. He was treated poorly by the American government anf the people within it time and time again. Eventually, he gave adivce about the Americans to the British.He planned on surrendering the fort at West Point, NY. He committed treason against his country. -
John Paul Jones defeats the Serapis
LinkJones was a navy hero in his days. Jones was attack by a much larger British ship. He filled his sails as if to leave, then turned the boat and plowed into the British ship. He then tied the two boats together so that they could proceed with hand to hand combat, Over a long battle, he came out victorious. -
Surrender at Yorktown
Link The Americans and French teamed up to help capture Yorktown. Cornwallis was in charge of the British forces there, He tried to counterattack and defending his post, but he was unable to do so. He ended up surrendering Yorktown, which would be a major point for the Americans.
