Timeline of the Revolutionary War

Treaty of Paris (ending French and Indian War)

Feb 10, 1763

The terms of the treaty gave Canada to Britain. Britain also got all French lands east of the Mississippi.

Sugar Act

Apr 6, 1764

Parliament put three cent taxes on sugar, coffee, indigo, and some wines. They also raised the taxes without the colonists consent.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

This act required colonists to pay for an official stamp, or seal, when they bought paper items. Colonists who refused to buy stamps would be fined or sent to jail.

Townshend Acts

Jun 29, 1767

This act places taxes on glass, lead, paints, paper, an tea. Tax collectors were allowed to search for smuggled goods if they susspected someone.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

British soldiers were sent to Boston to ensure that the colonists were paying taxes and the colonists began a fight and the British fired at them. There ended up being 5 deaths.

Tea Act

May 10, 1773

This act allowed colonists to buy tea only from Britain. Although it charged lower prices, it made the colonists fear that they would go out of business.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Colonists disguised as Indians sneaked onto three tea-filled ships. They threw over 340 chests of tea.

First Continental Congress

Oct 1, 1774

56 delegates of 12 colonies met in Philidelphia to discuss liberty. They met in response to the Intolerable Acts.

Intolerable Acts

Dec 21, 1774

This act was a punishment to Boston due to the Boston Tea Party. The Boston Harbor was closed, Massachusetts's charter was cancelled, and royal officials accused of crimes were sent to Britain for trial.

Lexington & Concord

Apr 19, 1775

The British were marching to Concord and passed through Lexington on their way. Colonists were waiting there and a fight broke out. The British won and continued marching to Concord.

Second Continental Congress

May 1, 1775

The 12 colonies met again after the Revolutionary War started. This meeting was the first attempt at a republican government for the colonies.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 17, 1775

This battle was actually fought on Breed's Hill. The Americans went there to protect the shipyard of nearby Boston. The next day, the British attacked. The Americans had to retreat.

Common Sense

Jan 1, 1776

This was a 47-page pamphlet distributed in Philidelphia. Thomas Paine was the author but he first published anonymously. It made a strong case for economic freedom.

Battle of New York

Jun 1, 1776

General Washington moved his troops to New York expecting the British. The Redcoats pushed the Patriots further and further away. Eventually, they pushed Washington back across the Hudson River and into New Jersey.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

The thirteen colonies wanted to break free from Britain. This document was their officail statement that they were becaoming independent.

Battle of Trenton

Dec 25, 1776

Washington crossed the Delaware River in the night to suprise attack the British. It worked and the Americans took more than 900 prisoners. This was an important Patriot victory.

Battle of Saratoga

Oct 17, 1777

British general John Burgoyne went to New York State to cut off New England from the other colonies. He ended up surrendering to General Horatio Gates. This battle was the greatest victory for the Americans.

Siege of Charleston

Mar 10, 1780

General Lincoln surrendered Charleston and many of his soldiers to the British. This was a great loss for the American's because it gave Britain nearly complete control of the Southern colonies.

Battle of Yorktown

Oct 20, 1781

This was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. General Cornwallis surrendered to the Patriots.

Treaty of Paris

Sep 3, 1783

This treaty officially ended the Revolutionary War. Great Britain had recognized the independence of the United States. It also set American borders.