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Stamp Act
On March 22, 1765, the British Parliament passed the “Stamp Act” to help pay for British troops stationed in the colonies during the Seven Years' War. The act required the colonists to pay a tax, represented by a stamp, on various forms of papers, documents, and playing cards. -
Boston Massacre
On March 5, 1770, seven British soldiers fired into a crowd of volatile Bostonians, killing five, wounding another six, and angering an entire colony. -
The battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill fought on June 17, 1775, was an early conflict in the American Revolutionary War. Although named after Bunker Hill, most fighting occurred on Breed's Hill. American colonial forces, led by Colonel William Prescott, fortified the hill to defend against the British. British troops, commanded by General William Howe, attacked and eventually captured the mountain, but suffered over 1,000 casualties, compared to around 400 for the Americans. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown September 28 - October 19, 1781, was the final major battle of the American Revolutionary War. American and French forces, led by General George Washington and General Rochambeau, besieged British forces under General Cornwallis in Yorktown, Virginia. Cut off by land and sea, Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, capturing over 8,000 British troops. This decisive victory led to British negotiations and the Treaty of Paris in 1783, ultimately securing American independence. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized U.S. independence. It granted the United States territory from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River, established fishing rights, and addressed debts and property rights. This treaty officially confirmed American sovereignty and set peaceful terms with Britain. -
French Indian War
Great Britain and France were fighting for control of the Ohio River Valley in North America. Great Britain won the war but went into great debt fighting it.