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Treaty of Paris pg.110
This treaty ended the French and Indian War and made France cede to Spain all of trans-Mississippi Louisiana and New Orleans and give Florida to Britain. The French were allowed to keep several sugar islands in the West Indies. -
Pontiac's Uprising
Ottawa Chief Pontiac led several tribes and French traders to kick the British out of the Ohio Country. They attacked Detroit and most of the British posts west of the Appalachians and, over the course of three years, killed around two thousand soldiers and settlers. -
Proclamation of 1763
Law passed that prohibited the colonists from settling beyond the Appalachian Mountains for fear of angering the Indians. This law angered the colonists because they believed the land was their birthright. -
Sugar Act
It was secured from Parliament by Prime Minister George Grenville on imported sugar from the West Indies. It was the first law ever passed for raising tax revenue for the crown. The colonists protested against it which resulted in the tax being lowered. -
Stamp Tax
Tax imposed by Prime Minister Grenville to raise money to support the British military force in America. Colonists were required to buy stamped paper or stamps for bills of sale and commercial and legal documents such as marriage licenses along with playing cards. -
Quartering Act
It required the colonists to give British soldiers food and quarters. -
Stamp Act Congress
An assemblage of delegates from nine colonies to do something about the hated stamp tax. They drew up a statement of their rights and grievances and urged both the king and Parliament to repeal the legislation. -
Declaratory Act
It was made after the repeal of the Stamp Act. It reaffirmed Parliament's right to control the colonies and reiterate its absolute sovereignty over the colonies. -
Townshend Acts
Charles Townshend persuaded Parliament to pass this. It made a light import duty on glass, white lead, paper, paint, and tea. Townshend made this tax payable at ports so the colonists recognized it less. -
Boston Massacre
A crowd of townspeople taunted and threw snowballs at the British soldiers which caused the troops to open fire and kill or wound eleven citizens. -
Committees of Correspondence
First started in Boston, Massachusetts by Samuel Adams, this organization spread to many towns. It's purpose was to encourage resistance to the British. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of around a hundred Boston colonists dressed as Indians and dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. -
Boston Port Act "Intolerable Acts"
It closed down the Boston Harbor until all the tea was paid for and order would return. -
Quebec Act
Passed at the same time as the Intolerable Acts, this act allowed Britain's conquered French subjects in Canada to keep their religion, old customs, institutions, and it extended the boundaries of Quebec to the Ohio River. -
First Continental Congress
A meeting in Philadelphia, of which twelve of the thirteen colonies sent men to attend, where the people met to redress colonial grievances. -
The Association
An action of Congress that called for a complete boycott of British goods. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
British troops in Boston were sent to Lexington and Concord to secure stores of gunpowder and bag Samuel Adams and John Hancock. At Lexington, the British soldiers were met by several stubborn Minute Men whom they killed. At Concord, the British were met by prepared colonists which made them have to retreat. -
Second Continental Congress
A meeting called in Philadelphia where all thirteen of the colonies sent men to attend to get the king and Parliament to redress their grievances. The delegates also adopted measures to raise money to create an army and navy. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Bunker Hill was seized by colonists from the British. British soldiers launched a frontal attack and were slaughtered. The colonists later ran out of gunpowder and were forced to abandon the hill. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Continental Congress adopted this petition which declared American loyalty to the king and begging for no future hostilities. -
Common Sense
Published by Thomas Paine, it was one of the most influential pamphlets ever written. It helped convince the colonists that they needed independence and not a reunion with Britain. -
Declaration of Independence
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, this famous document pronounced the natural rights of mankind, the colonies separating from Britain, and the misdeeds of King George III along with what makes up America today. -
Battle of Long Island
In the summer and fall of 1776, General Washington, being extremely outnumbered, was forced to make a hasty retreat. They were able to flee across the Delaware River with the British on their heels. -
Battle of Trenton
On December 26, shortly after General Washington's retreat from the Battle of Long Island, Washington and his men recrossed the Delaware River where they surprised and captured a thousand sleeping Hessians. -
Valley Forge
Washington and his army spent a cold, hard winter at Valley Forge where food and supplies were scarce. Baron von Steuben whipped Washington's untrained army into shape over the winter. -
Battle of Saratoga
Here General Burgoyne and his army were surrounded by American militiamen who, through a series of quick engagements, trapped his army. Burgoyne was forced to surrender to General Horatio Gates. -
Battle of Yorktown
General Washington with the help Rochambeau's army blocked the British from land while Admiral de Grasse blockaded them by sea. Cornwallis was forced to surrender on October 19, 1781. -
Treaty of Paris pg.154
This treaty ended the Revolutionary War and the British formally recognized and gave the territory east of the Mississippi to America. America had to give back Loyalist property and repay their British debts.
