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The French and Indian War Begins
The French and Indian War was a conflict that arose in North America over territorial disputes. It was between the French (with help from the Amerindians) and the English (with help from their colonists). http://history.state.gov/milestones/1750-1775/FrenchIndianWar -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was the treaty that ended the French and Indian War. The treaty granted all land between the Mississippi river and the Appalachian mountains to the English, but King George III did not allow the colonists to settle there. http://history.state.gov/milestones/1750-1775/FrenchIndianWar -
Royal Proclaimation
The Royal Proclaimation was an attempt by England to make peace with the Amerindians. The document prohibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachians, which led to lots of colonist vs. Amerindian conflicts. http://tm112.community.uaf.edu/unit-1/royal-proclamation-of-1763/ -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was passed by the English and put a tax on many products such as sugar and wine. Although the tax money was intended for colonists' security, many colonists found the taxing unfair. http://tm112.community.uaf.edu/unit-1/royal-proclamation-of-1763/ -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a tax imposed on the colonists by England. It called for a tax on any type of paper. This tax angered many colonists and led to the Stamp Act Resolutions, which claimed that colonists have the same rights as the English. http://www.history.org/history/teaching/tchcrsta.cfm -
Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress was made up of delegates from nine colonies. After more than a week of discussion, the Declaration of Rights was written and issued to parliament. http://librivox.org/declaration-of-rights-by-the-stamp-act-congress-of-1765/ -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were issued by the English in response to the dislike of the Satmp Act. It put taxes on the imports of glass, paper, tea, etc. When the colonists yet again protested this act, the English sent troops to enforce the new law. http://www.masshist.org/revolution/townshend.php -
Boston Massacre
As tempers boiled between England and the colonists, a group of patriots began protesting in Boston. The protesters threw snowballs at the Redcoats, and after a while of being taunted the Redcoats shot and killed five colonists without being ordered to. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/revolut/jb_revolut_boston_1.html -
Boston Tea Party
Angered with the implication of the new taxes on tea, a group of Massachusetts patriots snuck into Boston harbor at night, and threw 342 chests of English tea into the water. http://www.masshist.org/revolution/teaparty.php -
First Continental Congress
The first continental congress was held to discuss how the colonists would protest the recently issued Intolerable Acts. It was decided that the colonists would impliment an embargo on English imports, until parliament abloished the Intolerable Acts. Other topics such as training colonists to fight, and defining American rights were also discussed. http://www.usfca.edu/fac_staff/conwell/revolution/congress.htm -
"Give me liberty, or give me death!"
This quote was said by Patrick Henry during the Second Virginia Convention. It was the closing line in his push to put Virginia on the defensive towards England, and resolve the Stamp Act. http://www.history.org/almanack/life/politics/giveme.cfm -
Paul Revere's Ride
On the evening of April 18th, local silversmith Paul Revere was sent, along with 2 others, to warn the Sons of Liberty about an English attack that was coming soon. As Revere rode into Lexington, he warned the colonists that "the Redcoats are coming!" http://www.paulreverehouse.org/ride/real.html -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Upon receiving Revere's warning, the colonists prepared to fight the Redcoats at Lexington. As the two armies faced eachother on the day of battle, a single unknown shot was fired, and war broke out. Although the colonists did lose many men at Lexington, they put up a fight at Concord, where the Redcoats headed after Lexington. There was a big battle at North Bridge that resulted in a Redcoat retreat. http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/boflandc.htm -
Fort Ticonderoga
Many battles were fought at Fort Ticonderoga, and the military stronghold switched hands many times. In '75 the colonists took back the fort from the English, but a year later the English attempted to regain their former base. The cannons at Fort Ticonderoga became pivitol to the colonists as they were moved to Boston later on. http://www.revolutionary-war.net/fort-ticonderoga.html -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Looking to gain the crucial territory on the hills that overlooked Boston, the English planned to attack the colonist militia that held it. As the Redcoats marched up the hills, the colonists were ordered to fire any form of ammunition at the enemy, killing a large number of Redcoats. Although the English did win the battle, it was a Pyrrhic victory. http://www.charlestownonline.net/bunkerhillbattle.htm -
"Common Sense" Published
The "Common Sense" was written by Thomas Paine; a famous patriot author. This particular piece of liturature openly defied England and its monarchy. His wording appealed to Americans and demanded independance from the motherland. http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/ -
British Evacuate Boston
After the battles of Lexington and Concord, the colonists had besieged the English inside Boston. With Washington as the new leader of the Continental Army, he ordered the cannons at Fort Ticonderoga to be moved within range of Boston. In need of reinforcements after Bunker Hill, the English evacuated the city. http://accenthistory.net/2010/06/26/american-history/british-evacuation-of-boston/ -
2nd Continental Congress
During the 2nd Continental Congress many important topics were yet again discussed. This time it was decided that America would completeley break free from England and put themselves in a state of defense. It was also concluded that the colonies militias should unite and form the Continental Army, with George Washington as the appointed leader. http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/ccs.htm -
Declaration of Independance Announced
4 days prior to being announced, the Declaration of Independance was signed. This document officially birthed America as its own independant nation. http://www.ushistory.org/gop/tour_indhall.htm -
"The Crisis" is Published
Thomas Paine wrote this series of essays in an attempt to motivate the Continental Army. "The Crisis" started off depressing, and acknowledged the dark times America faced, but ended with encouraging words. www.ushistory.org/paine/crisis/c-01.html -
Washington Captures Trenton
Washington and his army crossed the Delaware River at night. Once on the shore of New Jersey, the army marched on to Trenton. Once there, the Hessians, taken by complete surprise, surrendered, and Washington didn’t lose a single man. He then took 868 prisoners and 300 Redcoats. http://www.ushistory.org/washingtoncrossing/history/crossagain.htm -
British Defeated at Saratoga
During this battle, the Americans were able to sucessfully stop the British plans of dividing and conquering. This victory at the town of Saratoga caused the French to join the American cause, and gave the Americans pride http://www.ushistory.org/us/11g.asp -
Winter at Valley Forge
After winning at Trenton it was decided that the Continental Army spend the winter at Valley Forge. During the time of their stay, the Americans were trained proper war strategy by European generals. http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/valleyforge.htm -
John Paul Jones Defeats the Serapis
John Paul Jones; American naval commander, was responsible for defeating an oncoming English convoy of ships. On board of his ship, the Bonhomme Richard, Jones led a 3 hour fight against the English ship; Serapis, which resulted in an American victory http://www.marinersmuseum.org/sites/micro/usnavy/03/03c.htm -
Benedict Arnold's Plans Discovered
Former American general Benedict Arnold had been in debt, and angry at America for several years. in order to solve his problems he became an English spy, receiving large sums of money. He had planned to surrender West Point military base to the Redcoats, when his plans were discovered. He fleed and was never seen again. http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/barnold.htm -
General Cornwallis Surrenders
Eventually after being weakened by the Continental Army, Cornwallis surrendered, though he was not there because he claimed to be ill. After losing 8,000 soldiers, Britain began negotiations with America to end the conflict. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/revolut/jb_revolut_yorktown_1.html
