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French and Indian War
The French and Indian War began in May, 1756. The French began building forts in the Ohio River Valley and along the Mississippi in areas that the British claimed. General George Washington was ordered to evict the French from Ft. Duquesne. Washington's men killed 12 Frenchmen and wounded 22, thus starting the war. -
French and Indian War Ends
The French and Indian War ends with the Treaties of Hubertusburg and Paris. In the Treaty of Paris, France lost all claims to Canada and gave Louisiana to Spain, while Britain received Spanish Florida, Upper Canada, and various French holdings overseas. The treaty ensured the colonial and maritime supremacy of Britain and strengthened the 13 American colonies by removing their European rivals to the north and the south. -
Sugar Act
The British were trying to increase the money they generated from the American colonies after the French and Indian War left the British suffering economically. Parliament decided to tax products coming into the Americas. The British taxed the molasses at 3 cents per gallon. The colonists thought this would decrease their profits and their businesses would not generate revenue. Before they could protest this act, Parliament implemented the Stamp Act. The Sugar Act was decreased to 1 cent pe -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 was enacted in order to help the British pay for the troops defending the colonies. This act, which was opposed by colonists, taxed every document printed. This included newspapers, lawyer’s licenses, and other printed materials. This tax was approved with no contest in the courts. Patrick Henry, a young delegate from Virginia, urged the British to enact taxes only if the representatives of the colonies were present and could argue their defense. -
Quartering Act
The British were wanting to protect the land they had just acquired from the French and decided to have more troops in the Americas. The Quartering Act allowed the British to house troops within colonists’ homes, barns, and other buildings. The colonists also did not believe in a strong army. Instead, they believed a militia should be the force dealing with problems. -
Stamp Act Repealed
The British had two options: to defend the tax with military force or to repeal the tax. Most of the British agreed with the repeal of the tax. Merchants believed this because they believed their products were suffering and the people believed this because they did not think they could enforce the act. William Pitt, a major player in the French and Indian War, also urged Parliament to repeal the tax. Parliament repealed the tax after the king showed his support. -
New York Assembly
The date is unknown, but In 1766 New York refused to pay for homes to be built for the British soldiers -
Quartering Act Repealed
This act was repealed, but caused the colonists to resent the British -
Townshend Acts
In 1766 there was a new Parliament with Charles Townshend being the head of economic and financial matters. He proposed a tax to items imported to the Americas that would not make trade difficult. The king allowed the stipulations and this bill was signed into act by July 2 -
Townshend Acts partially Repealed
After the Boston Massacre, the boycott of the Townshend Act was successful in that the British lost money and most of the stipulations of the act were withdrawn. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred when the British, “fired into a rioting crowd and killed five men—three on the spot, two of wounds later . -
Battle of Concord
April 19, 1775 ensued the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The Battle of Concord was thought of well in advance by the militia. Ammunition and weapons were stored in Concord. The British knew of these stores and were told to destroy them. The militia, or Minute Men, were warned of this attack by Paul Revere and his midnight ride. The Minutemen held off the British and forced them away from Concord. -
Battle of Lexington
The Battle of Lexington began when about 6 dozed American militia and more than 800 British soldiers met. Following the orders of Captain John Parker, “Stand your ground; don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here,” the militia did not back down.
