-
French and Indian War
French and Indian War ends with British victory, Britain gains most of Canada -
Sugar Act
British government imposes tax on molasses, greatly affecting rum merchants -
Stamp Act
British government imposes a tax on all paper goods -
Stamp Act Congress
colonists get together and decide to boycott British goods to protest the Stamp Act -
Townshend Acts
British government tax everyday items such as tea, glass, and paints -
Boston Massacre
British fire on civilians, killing 5 -
Boston Tea Party
Patriots throw 342 crates of tea into the harbor to protest taxes on tea -
First Contintental Congress
colonial leaders get together and discuss their current situation with Britain -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
British try to seize colonial leaders and weapons from patriots, but leave defeated -
Second Continental Congress
Colonial leaders meet again and discuss independence for the first time. Declaration of Independence is requested -
George Wahington named Commander in Chief of continental army
George Wahington requested to begin building his own army to fight the British -
Battle of Bunker Hill
British win, but with heavy losses -
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
Told colonists to rebel against King George -
Declaration of Independence adopted
Declaration of Independence adopted and signed by all 13 colonies -
Battle of Brooklyn
British win, George Washington escapes by night -
Battle of Trenton
Washington crosses Delaware River and forces Hetians to surrender -
Battle of Princeton
Patriots win, forcing British to retreat out of New Jersey -
Van Steuben trains American soldiers
Von Steuben proceeds to Valley Forge to train the American soldiers -
British General Howe becomes commander of British forces
General Howe is sent to command British troops -
British take Philadelphia
British forces occupy Philadelphia -
Battle of Freeman's Farm
Burgoyne loses to Americans under Gates, and retreat to Saratoga -
Battle of Saratoga
Burgoyne surrenders to Gates after being surrounded by Americans. Proves to the French that we might be able to win and leads to their military alliance and support -
Valley Forge
Washington winters his army in Valley Forge with little food and supplies. Many leave or desert his army -
French Alliance
French finallly agree to get fully involved against Britain -
British General Howe replaced by Henry Clinton
unhappy with Howe's performance, King George sends Clinton to finish up the war. -
Battle of Monmouth
battle ends in a draw -
British occupy Savannah
Clinton begins his offensive by landing 10000 troops in Savannah, Georgia -
British capture Charleston
Clinton advances North by taking the strategic city of Charleston, SC -
Battle of King's Mountain
Americans take back King's Mountain and force Cornwallis to retreat -
Washington names Nathanael Greene as commander of Southern Army
Nathanael Greene replaces Gates -
Battle at Cowpens
British lose and retreat once again -
Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation are adopted in the colonies -
Battle at Guilford Courthouse
British win but with heavy losses -
Chesapeake Bay
French fleet drives British naval force from Chesapeake Bay -
Battle of Yorktown
Conwallis is surrounded and surrenders, leading to peace talks with British -
Lord North resigns as British Prime Minister
-
Peace
British sign Articles of Peace -
End of War
British sign Treaty of Paris -
US Constitution ratified
Article of confederation are replaced by US Constitution
