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The French and Indian War
Britain wanted to expand their territory into the west, which had been Native American territory. This was important because it upset the Native's allies, the French, which started a 7-year war against Britain. Britain's winning caused expenses and disputes over the frontier policy, ultimately upsetting the colonies and leading to the American Revolution. -
Proclamation of 1763
Britain issued the Proclamation of 1763 over the colonies which prohibited them from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. This was an important event because the colonists had already purchased land which upset the colonists. -
Sugar Act
A law that was passed by the British Parliament set taxes on sugar and molasses that had been imported. This was important because of how much it angered the colonists and set more fuel to the flames. -
The Stamp Act
Britain placed a tax on all paper goods in the colonies. This was an important event because it upset Colonists as they were being taxed without representation in the British Parliament. "No taxation without representation!" -
Townshend Acts
To pay the expenses that governed the Colonies, the Parliament passed these acts which initiated taxes on glass, paint, lead, tea, and paper. In response, the Colonies decided to boycott any British-imported goods. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a street fight between the Patriot Colonists and the British soldiers. Many colonists were killed, hence the massacre, which led to a campaign to rouse up other people outside of the colonies, to rise against the British. -
The Boston Tea Party
An American political and mercantile protest in Boston, Massachusetts. involving 60 American colonists who threw 342 chests of tea into the Harbor to show acts of rebellion against Britain over the high taxes on tea (taxation without representation). -
The Intolerable Acts
The British Parliament issued the Intolerable Acts which had been used to punish the colony of Massachusetts because of their actions at the Boston Tea Party. In return, this fueled the hatred towards Britain and the redcoats as the colony tried to negotiate their independence with Britain. -
First Continental Congress Meeting
In response to the Intolerable Acts the British Parliament made over the Massachusetts colony, the colony banded together in unity to hold the first Continental Congress meeting. This led to the American Revolution because of Britain's further un-authorization towards the colonies. -
Paul Revere's "Midnight Ride"
Paul Revere had the job of warning the town of Concord that the British were coming to arrest the patriots. This was important because the British kept trying to lash out an attack against the patriots, which just fueled the rebellion more. -
The Battle of Lexington & Concord
The first engagement between the opposing militaries of the Revolutionary War where the British redcoats fired into what seemed to be the smaller group of colonist minutemen on Lexington Green, intending to seize power in the rebellion, but the colonists won as they had rallied all the patriots from the colonies. This was important because it marked the beginning of the violent battle for independence against Britain. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The colonists faced the Red Coats for the first time in a "pitched battle" on a hill, but were ultimately defeated. This was important because it proved to the British army how the colonists could stand their own against the powerful Red Coats. -
Olive Branch Petition
The colonist congress created the petition as a last attempt to keep peace between Britain and the colonies, to try and prevent war. This was important because it showed how the British King refused and would rather start war with the colonies, rather than give them independence. -
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" Pamphlet
The pamphlet by Thomas Paine argues how the colonies and patriots should fight to gain independence from Britain and create a Democratic government. This was important because it riled up people and had them gain the courage for war. -
Declaration of Independence
This declaration/ document from the colonies declared themselves as Independent as it was "the last of a series of steps" to lead the patriots to separation from Britain. This was important because the 13 colonies banded together in unity to declare themselves independent from Britain. -
Nathan Hale Executed
Nathan Hale was an American Patriot who was also a spy for the Continental Army (the colonists) but was caught and killed by the British red coats. This was important as Nathan Hale is considered "one of American history's greatest patriotic moments" as he put his life on the line to spy on the British. -
Crossing the Delaware
George Washington led the Continental Army over the Delaware River on Christmas day to launch a surprise attack in the harsh winter climate and won. The importance of this is how Washington was able to secure the Continental's first military victory in the war. -
Valley Forge
Valley Forge was a place for reshaping the Continental Army into the proper soldiers in the harsh winter. This was important as the Continental Army grew to be a strong and opposable army against the British army. -
Battle of Saratoga
As well as being the turning point, this battle was the climax of the war as the colonists came to victory against the British with the help of the French. This was important because it boosted the morale of the Americans ultimately helping them win the American Revolution. -
Treaty of Paris (1783)
This Treaty of Paris ended the War between the British and the now United States of America, initiating a treaty of peace between the two. This was important as it marked the end of the fight for independence for the Americans and showed they fought hard and succeeded against the British army.