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Treaty of Paris 1763
This treaty ended the French and Indian war in 1763. Great Britain gained the Ohio river valley, doubling the size of its colonies. -
Proclamation of 1763
This proclamation prevented colonists from expanding their territory beyond the Appalachian mountains, even though they had just fought a war for that land. This angered the colonists. -
Sugar Act 1764
British taxes are placed on colonists to pay off their debt. This was the first tax and it was on imported sugar. -
Stamp Tax + Congress 1765
British parliament passed a tax on all government papers such as newspapers, marriage licenses, diplomas, and even playing cards. A stamp was placed on these papers to ensure that colonists had paid the tax. A stamp act Congress was formed by 27 colonial leaders. They attempted to get the act repealed and by doing so brought unity. -
Quartering Act 1765
Certain colonies were now required to provide food and a place for British troops to stay. -
Declaratory Act 1766
Parliament ended up repealing the Stamp Act but put a Declaratory Act in place. Through this, British declared absolute reign over the colonists. -
Townshend Act 1767
Imposed taxes on paper, lead, glass, and tea. Colonists started to refuse to pay these taxes because they had no representation. Went from June to July -
Boston Massacre
A mob of angry soldiers and colonists were taunting each other and eventually shots were fired. Redcoats faces no consequences in court. Crispus Attucks became the first to die in the revolution -
Boston Tea Party
W group of colonists boarded ships in Boston disguised as Indians. They ended up dumping 342 crates of tea into the harbor. As a result, King George closed the Boston Barbour. -
First Continental Congress
Met in Philly to redress the colonial grievances with the King. 12/13 colonies (not Georgia) sent well respected men to meet and represent them. Congress made up papers like the Declaration and formed the Association, which called for a complete boycott of British goods. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
British troops were sent to Lexington and Concord to seize the stores of gunpowder and capture the rebel leaders. 8 Patriots were killed in Lexington. British pushed on to Concord, where a lot of their soldiers ended up wounded. This basically was what kickstarted the war. -
Second Continental Congress
All 13 colonies were represented. There was still no desire for full independence, just reconciliation with the King. Representatives also adopted measures to to create an army and navy “just in case” -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine publishes first pamphlet of revolutionary propaganda titled Common Sense. This fuels the fire in colonists of the revolution. -
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson explains the need for independence. His declaration is adopted by Congress. Basically, Jefferson talks about all the bad things the King has done and how the colonists deserve to have unalienable rights. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington led colonial troops across the Delaware River to surprise and capture 1000 Hessian-British troops. This success raised the morale of the patriot army. -
Valley Forge 1777-78
Patriot army became known as a “ragged, lousy, and naked regiment.” Soldiers were badly trained and incredibly weak. Disease outbreak such as smallpox weakened and killed many soldiers. -
Hudson River Valley
British attempt to seize the Hudson River Valley, high would isolate the New England colonies from the rest. However, General Howe didn’t really put the plan into practice so it didn’t work out. -
Battle of Saratoga
British surrendered and suffered a humiliating defeat. This battle is what led to the French wanting to give the patriots aid. -
France & America Become Allies
Due to the Model Treaty written by the Continental Congress, France is convinced to ally with the colonists. There was only a commercial connection between the two and France stupidly made promises to Spain when they joined the war. -
Articles of Confederation
First official document/constitution in America. Helped organize the colonies in the midst of war. It didn’t give the government much power and was very weak, which is why a new constitution was drawn up later. -
Battle of Yorktown
The last battle of the revolution. British finally surrendered. General Cornwallis got backed up into the river and just waited for reinforcements, but they never came. French came from the seaside and the Americans came from the land, trapping them. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
British accepted their defeat in America and gave them their independence. Americans received lots of land to the west, north, and south. Loyalists were no longer to be persecuted and British debt was to be paid off.
