Escalation into the American Revolutionary War

Jamestown

1607

First permanent English settlement in the New World located in Virginia on the Chesapeake Bay/James River; settled by the Virginia Company of London. The original settlers had a hard time adjusting and suffered from diseases & starvation. Some key leaders are John Smith who helped keep peace with the Indians (Pocahontas) and John Rolfe who successfully cultivated tobacco in the colony, giving them an export. Bacon's Rebellion erupted here.

First Navigation Act

1651

The first Navigation Act was passed by Parliament under Oliver Cromwell, this law gave the Commonwealth the power to pass further legislation regulating international trade. It also reinforced the previous existing statute that forbids overseas ships from importing and exporting goods to or from England or its colonies.

Bacon's Rebellion

1671

Bacon's Rebellion was a rebellion led by Nathaniel Bacon who roused the landless lower class, who were servants. This was a significant turning point in history because this led a move from using white servants to black slaves for work.

French and Indian War

1754

The French and Indian War was a successful attempt to move the French out of Ohio Valley and to stop Indian raids on frontier settlements. William Pitt, who led Britain to victory, made the decision to pour a lot of Britain's resources into this war and increased Britain's forces in North America. This was an important victory for the colonists because they felt more pride in their army and didn't have a fear of French invasion.

Stamp Act

1765

The Stamp Act taxed all printed material in the colonies, such as stamps, legal documents, newspapers, playing cards, etc. This was a significant event because it led the colonists to decide that they need a complete separation from Britain to ensure a great future for the colonies. The colonists started forming organizations like the Stamp Act Congress, Sam Adams's Loyal Nine, and the Sons of Liberty as a form of resistance.

Coercive Acts

1774

The Coercive Acts were a direct consequence of the Boston Tea Party organized by colonists. Coercive Acts were made up of the Boston Port Act, which closed the port of Boston. Massachusetts Government Act, which limited town meetings and replaced the Massachusetts government members with Crown appointees. Administration of Justice Act, which required that trials of crimes in the colonies be held in Britain. Quartering Act which required all colonists to house British troops when ordered.

Battles at Lexington and Concord

1775

The Battles of Lexington and Concord commenced the American Revolutionary War. The King’s troops had marched into the small town of Lexington, waiting to greet them was a small company of militia commanded by Captain John Parker. A shot rang out and the nervous British soldiers fired, Parker’s men fled while the British soldiers moved on towards Concord, and were met by almost 400 colonial militiamen. The militia advanced on the British, who retreated back in a defensive position.

Battle at Yorktown

1781

Battle at Yorktown was the last major battle of the American Revolution and this prompted the British to negotiate with the colonists. This battle was a strategically planned battle by General George Washington. The victory was achieved using a combined force of American Continental Army troops led by General George Washington and French Army troops led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British army commanded by British peer and Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis.