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French and Indian War
SourceBritain and France fought over land in North America. The land was being fought over because the British wanted to conquer and control the land, while the French wanted to use this land for trading and settling. The British won this war, known as the French and Indian War, which was ended by the Treaty of Paris in 1763. -
Treaty of Paris
SourceThe Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian War between Britain and France. The treaty stated that France had to give up all its territory in mainland North America. This eliminated the threat of any foreign military threat to the British in North America. -
Royal Proclamation
SourceThe Royal Proclamation of 1763 did not allow the settling of colonists beyond the Appalachains. This prohibiting of settlement got rid of a major border that had temporarily resolved the Indian problem. There were disputes between Native Americans and British in this new territory. The colonists were also upset because they were not allowed to setlle in land that they had helped fight control of. -
Sugar Act
SourceThe Sugar Act raised taxes on foreign sugars and syrups from West India. It also said that other goods including coffees and wines should be fined. Colonists did not want to pay these taxes, and wanted them lowered. The colonists hurt the British economy by boycotting the items effected by the Sugar Act. -
Stamp Act
SourceThe Stamp Act was a new tax system established by British Parliament. This tax system required that the colonists pay a tax on every piece of printed paper. For every item they printed, it was required that they had a piece of paper proving they had payed for it. The colonists were upset with this, despite the fact that the people of England had to pay a larger tax. -
Stamp Act Congress
SourceAfter the Sugar Act and Stamp Act were passed, the colonies needed to decide which way to go. The Stamp Act Congress met to decide what the colonists were going to do. There was agreement regarding the laws made in the colonies by British Parliament. Over time, the Stamp Act was resolved, resulting in the unity of the colonies increasing. -
Townshend Acts
SourceThe Townshend Acts were taxes proposed by Charles Townshend that payed for the defense of the colonies, and the salaries of the Royal governors and judges. There were taxes on lead, paint, paper, and tea. These taxes were collected as a customs duty at ports. The colonists boycotted against the British, as the saw this as taxation without representation. -
Boston Massacre
SourceA group of colonists with rocks and clubs formed a riot outside of the Old State House in Boston. The colonists were not happy because the British soldiers were occupying the city. Colonists in Boston were forced to house the British soldiers, who they wanted out of the city. The group of colonists surrounded a group of British soldiers on duty, and one of the soldiers was knocked down. When the soldier got up, he fired into the crowd. In total, 5 colonists were killed and 6 were injured.
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Boston Tea Party
SourceA group of 200 colonists dressed up as Mohawk Indians and boarded British Ships, dumping a total of 342 tea chests into Boston Harbor. The colonists were unhappy with the fact that the British had put taxes on common goods in the colonies. This caused a huge uproar from the king. -
First Continental Congress
SourceThe colonists wanted to meet to discuss the troubles they were having with England, so they formed the First Continental Congress. A representative was sent form each of the colonies to represent the ideas of that colony. At the congress, the topics included the Stamp Act, Sugar Act, Coercive Acts, and others. -
Patrick Henry "Give me Liberty"
SourcePatrick Henry wanted to form a militia in Virginia, in order to put them in a form of defense. In his speech, he proposed the ideas of freedom and liberty, and felt very strongly about these ideas. Henry wanted to be independent from Britain, and the last line of his speech, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" shows exactly how he felt about independence. -
Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
SourcePaul Revere, joined by William Dawes, left Charlestwon and Boston for Lexington, MA. Their goal was to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams that the Redcoats would be attacking by sea. Samuel Prescott joined the two riders in Lexington and continued on to Concord to continue spreading their message of the attacking Redcoats. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
SourceThe militia knew that the Redcoats had been planning an attack, thanks to the riders of the previous night. The militia was waiting for the oncoming British Army on Lexington Green. An unknown soldier from an unknown side fired a shot. Once this shot was fired, the British army fired on the militia, killing 8. Help had then come for the militia, who ended up forcing the British Army back to Boston. The British Army lost 300 men, while the colonists lost fewer than 100 men. -
Fort Ticonderoga
SourceThe Green Mountain Boys, led by Ethan Allen, were responsible for the capturing of Fort Ticonderoga. Fort Ticonderoga had a strategic location at the southern end of Lake Champlain. This meant it would provide protection from the British to the North. The capturing of Fort Ticonderoga also provided the colonists with a large supply of cannons that they would use in future battles. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
SourceThe English wanted to capture hills north and south of Boston. Bunker Hill is the highest point north of Boston. The British army was also interested in Breed's Hill, which is located closest to Boston Harbor. The English attack Breed's Hill from the front and from the back. The colonists ran low on ammo, and were eventually forced to retreat. -
"Common Sense" Published
SourceThomas Paine wrote "Common Sense" to help support the independence movement in the colonies. Paine believed that if they stayed with Britain, they would have trouble with other European countries in the future. He also believed that it was ignorant for the colonies to be ruled by a distant power. Thomas Paine wanted the colonists to want independence for themselves. -
British Evactuate Boston
SourceThe cannons captured by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys from Fort Ticonderoga were brought from the Fort to Boston and aimed at the British Army in Boston Harbor. The British got nervous by this threat, resulting in them evacuating Boston. As a result, there was an opportunity for independence. -
Second Continental Congress
SourceWhen the Second Continental Congress met, they talked about the problems they were having with England, and ultimately decided to break off from Britain. The members of the congress from each of the colonies formed the American Continental Army, which was led by George Washington. The colonies had made a huge choice by beginning the colonies with independence and started pringting money. -
Declaration of Independence
SourceWith the Declaration of Independence being signed, the colonists were officially parting from England. In the document, many Enlightment ideas can be found, which were added in the document by writer Thomas Jefferson. Congress approved of the document on July 2, 1776, but it was not printed until July 4, which is why that is celebrated as Independence Day in America. -
"The Crisis" Published
SourceWhen things were not looking so good for the colonists in the war, Thomas Paine wrote a series of essays titled "The Crisis". The purpose behind writing these essays was to inform the colonists of the situation they were facing, in order to try to gain support. The essays of "The Crisis" also helped inspire fighters to regain their strength and helped them win battles. -
Washington Captures Trenton
SourceGeorge Washington and his men launched a surprise attack on the Hessian soldiers by crossing the Delaware River. The colonists had left their fires going at their camps, so that the Hessian soldiers would not know they had left. The majority of the Hessian soldiers ended up surrendering, and two thirds were captured by General Washington. -
British Defeated at Saratoga
SourceThis battle was a major turning point for the Americans during the Revolution. During the attack , the American Army took 86% of Burgoyne's men. At this point, the French see how strong the American Army is, and are encouraged to join the war on the side of the Americans. -
Winter at Valley Forge, PA
SourceGeorge Washington and his army stayed at Valley Forge in order to experience the British Army and their ability in Philadelphia. It was winter at Valley Forge, resulting in shortages of food, clothing, and medicine. Baron Von Steuboen encouraged the Army to become powerful fighthers and trained them to be strong. This saved the Army, as the troops were feeling weak. -
John Paul Jones Defeats the Serapis
SourceWhen John Paul Jones had control of Bonhomme Richard, he attacked Serapis. Throughout the battle, Jones' ship endured a lot of damage, but Jones continued to fight. Just hours after Richard asked Jones if he had given up, he took control of the battle, becoming victorious. Jones is remebered as a very brave and fierce naval commander. -
Benedict Arnold Plans Found Out
SourceWhen Benedict Arnold became a traitor, he was an American soldier at West Point. Arnold planned on turning over West Point to the British, in return for a large sum of money and becoming a Major General in the British Army. Arnold's plan did not work because a business man named Major Andre that was working with Arnold was captured and hung, Benedict Arnold has been remembered as a traitor to America ever since. -
Cornwallis Surrenders
Source17,000 men surrouned General Cornwallis and his troops, causing a major problem for them. Cornwallis was forced to surrender at Yorktown to the Americans and French that threatened him and his men. The British Navy could not get to Cornwallis to help him out because they were being help back by the French. In Yorktown, the British were cut off from supplies and began to starve. Cornwallis had no choice but to surrender, giving America independence.
