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The French and Indian War
American theater of a massive conflict involving Austria, England, France, Great Britain, Prussia, and Sweden called the Seven Years War. The conflict was played out in Europe, India, and North America. In Europe, Sweden , Austria, and France were allied to crush the rising power of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. -
The Albany Congress
though these petitions were offered, repeated attempts to organize the colonies met with jealous resistance. -
Proclomation of 1763
The proclamation, in effect, closed off the frontier to colonial expansion. The King and his council presented the proclamation as a measure to calm the fears of the Indians, who felt that the colonists would drive them from their lands as they expanded westward. Many in the colonies felt that the object was to pen them in along the Atlantic seaboard where they would be easier to regulate. -
The sugar act
On April 5, 1764, Parliament passed a modified version of the Sugar and Molasses Act (1733), which was about to expire. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was Parliament's first serious attempt to assert governmental authority over the colonies. Great Britain was faced with a massive national debt following the Seven Years War. That debt had grown from £72,289,673 in 1755 to £129,586,789 in 1764*. English citizens in Britain were taxed at a rate that created a serious threat of revolt. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a street fight that occurred on March 5, 1770, between a "patriot" mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British soldiers. Several colonists were killed and this led to a campaign by speech-writers to rouse the ire of the citizenry. -
The Boston Tea Party
The partial repeal of the Townshend Acts did not bring the same reaction in the American colonies as the repeal of the Stamp Act. Too much had already happened. Not only had the Crown attempted to tax the colonies on several occasions, but two taxes were still being collected — one on sugar and one on tea. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
During the battles of Lexington and Concord, 73 British soldiers had been killed and 174 wounded; 26 were missing. The Revolution has begun. -
"Common Sense" is published
Published in 1776, Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. -
Congress adopts the Decleration of Independence
Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence; it's sent to the printer -
Washington crosses the Delaware
From this site, General George Washington and men of the Continental Army and militia crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776 and marched to Trenton, New Jersey.
There they attacked and defeated Hessian troops quartered in and around the village. -
Washington settles at Valley Forge
Hungry, cold, ragged, and cramped in December 1777; Disciplined, self-confident, and dignified in June 1778. -
The United States and France sign the French alliance
The Treaty of Alliance between France and the United States was concluded at Paris, February 6, 1778 and ratified by Congress May 4, 1778. -
Wahington leaves Valley Forge
Philadelphia was a difficult place for the British to defend. Now that France was in the war, the city was also vulnerable to attack or blockade from the sea. It was decided to abandon the Quaker City and move British forces back to their base in New York City. -
Cornwallis surrenders
Cornwallis surrounded on land and sea by Americans and French and surrenders at Yorktown, VA -
The U.S. and Great Britain sign the treaty of paris
Caused the Revolution to end and gave America it's independence