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TREATY OF PARIS (ending French and Indian war)
The Treaty of Parris ended the French and Indian war in1763. The treaty not only ended the war it also gave more land to the British such as land east of the Mississippi River and Florida. -
SUGAR ACT
In 1764 Parliament passed the Sugar Act. The Sugar Act set duties on molassses and sugar imported by the colonists. This act was the first act passed specifically to raise money in the colonies. -
STAMP ACT
The Stamp Act required coloniststo pay for an official stamp, or seal, when they bought paper items. Coloinists were soon furious. Colonists who refused to buy stamps could be fined or sent to jail. Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 because it violated the colonists rights and liberties. -
TOWNSHEND ACTS
In June 1767 Parliament passed the Townshend Acts. These acts placed duties on glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea. The colonists boycotted many British goods as a result of their anger. -
BOSTON MASSACRE
On March 5, 1770 a British soldier had an argument with a colonist and struck him. Soon tempers flaired and guns were fired. As a result five men were killed and others were wounded. It is still a controversial arguement on who really started the Boston Massacre. -
TEA ACT
The Tea Act was passed in 1773. The Tea Act allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonists. -
BOSTON TEA PARTY
On December 16, 1773, colonists disguised as Indians. They snuck onto the three tea-filled ships, and in disguist they dumped over 340 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. -
INTOLERABLE ACTS
They were also called the Coercive Acts and they stated:
1.Boston Harbor was closed until Boston paid for the ruined tea.
2.Massachusetts's charter was canceled. The governor decided if and when the legislature could meet.
3.Royal officials accused of crimes were sent to Britain for trial. This let them face a more friendly judge and jury.
4.Anew Quartering Act required colonists to house British soldiers.
5.The Quebec Act gave a large amount of land to the colony of Qubec. -
FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
The First Continental Congress, was a gathering of colonial leaders who were deeply troubled about the relationship between Great Britain and its colonies in America. It took place in Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia on October 1774. -
LEXINGTON AND CONCORD
On April 19, 1775, British troops arrived at the town of Lexington where 70 armed minutemen waited for them. They conflicted and didn't suffer to many casualties, and the British marched on to Concord. For the talented colonial marksmen of Concord, the Redcoats made an easy target. The British were forced to retreat and they suffered many casualties along the way. -
SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
In May of 1775, delegates from 12 colonies met again in Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress. They met to discuss war and peace. Some called to for a war and others called for peace, so they compromised. -
THE BATTLE AT BUNKER HILL
It was a battle between the Patriots and Redcoats. During the night the colonial forces had quietly dug in at Breed's Hill. The Redcoats would have to cross Boston Harbor and fight their way uphill. Even though the Patriots lost they showed that they could take on the Redcoats. -
COMMON SENSE
Common Sense was written by Thomas Paine in January of 1776. It argued that citizens should make the laws. Because monarchs ruled at the time, this was a bold idea. -
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
The Declaration of Independence stated the colonies' departure from Great Brtiain. Many people helped in writing the Declaration, but the main author is Thomas Jefferson. He argued that all people possess unalienable rights, including the rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." -
BATTLE OF NEW YORK
This battle took place in Long Island, New York. The Redcoats were led by General William Howe, and the Patriots were led by General George Washington. The British forced the Patriots to evacuate New York. -
BATTLE OF TRENTON
The Battle of Trenton was faught on Christmas Day in 1776. Washington and his troops crossed the Deleware River and suprised his enemis. It was a resaunding, physical, and moral victory for Washington and his troops. -
BATTLE AT BRANDYWINE CREEK
The Battle at Brandywine Creek to place on September 11, 1777 in Philadelphia PA. Again, Washington led the Patriots and Howe led the Redcoats. The British drove out the Americans from their position on Brandywine Creek. -
BATTLE OF SARATOGA
The Battle of Saratoga took place in Saratoga, New York (along the hudson river). The Americans force the surrender of, British leader, John Bugoyne. -
VALLEY FORGE
The Patriots were running low on supplies so Wahington settled his troops at Valley Forge. The men suffered greatly there. The name of Valley Forge brings to mind suffering and courage. -
TREATY OF PARIS (ending the Revolutionary War)
The Treaty of Parris was signed on September 3, 1783. In the treaty it stated that the United States was independent from Great Britain.
