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The American Revolution
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The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a British law that taxed printed materials in the American colonies, like newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. It aimed to raise money to pay off debts from the French and Indian War. Colonists protested because they had no representation in Parliament, leading to the slogan “No taxation without representation.” The resistance eventually forced Britain to repeal the act in 1766. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre happened on March 5, 1770, when British soldiers fired into a crowd of angry colonists in Boston. The colonists had been throwing snowballs and insults at the soldiers. Five people were killed, including Crispus Attucks. The event increased tensions between Britain and the colonies, helping to spark the American Revolution. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party happened on December 16, 1773. Colonists, angry about the Tea Act and taxation without representation, boarded British ships in Boston Harbor. They dumped 342 chests of tea into the water to protest. This act of defiance led to harsher British laws and pushed the colonies closer to the American Revolution. -
The First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress met in September 1774 in Philadelphia. Delegates from 12 colonies (except Georgia) gathered to respond to British laws like the Intolerable Acts. They agreed to boycott British goods and prepare for possible conflict, while still seeking peace with Britain. It was a key step toward unity among the colonies. -
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War Time
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Paul Revere's Ride
The Revolutionary War starts and Paul Revere makes his famous ride to warn the colonists that the "British are coming". -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The actual fighting starts with the first "shot heard around the world". The Americans win as the British retreat. -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
The Green Mountain Boys led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold capture Fort Ticonderoga from the British. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Major battle where William Prescott told the American troops "don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes". -
The Declaration of Independence is Adopted
The Continental Congress agrees to Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. -
George Washington Crosses the Delaware
George Washington and his troops cross the Delaware River on Christmas night and surprise the enemy. -
America Chooses a Flag
The Continental Congress adopts the "Stars and Stripes" Flag sewn by Betsy Ross. -
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Battles of Saratoga
British General John Burgoyne surrenders his army to the Americans after suffering defeat at the Battles of Saratoga. -
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Valley Forge
The Continental army under George Washington spends the winter training at Valley Forge. -
Alliance with France
France recognized the United States as an independent country with the Treaty of Alliance. -
Battle of Yorktown
The last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. British General Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown was the unofficial end to the war. -
Articles of Confederation
Defined the official government of the United States. -
Treaty of Paris
Treaty that officially ended the war.