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The American Revolution

  • French and Indian War

    French and Indian War
    This war of seven years was a struggle between the British and the French. The colonies, wanting to colonize westward, had begun to fight over land with the Natives and the French. After G. Washington went to Fort Duquesne and killed the peacemaking diplomats, the war had officially begun. The war had ended with the Treaty Of Paris, which declared that Great Britain had won the war, and that the French had no more land in the Americas. However, this war put Great Britain in tons of debt.
  • The Proclamation Of 1763

    The Proclamation Of 1763
    This document stated that the colonists aren't allowed to settle past the Appalachian Mountains, which led to tension between the unhappy colonists and Great Britain.
  • Sugar Act

    Sugar Act
    The Prime Minister, G. Grenville, wanted the colonies to quit smuggling sugar and molasses from foreign nations, so he came up with the Sugar Act to lower the price of sugar, but smugglers were sent to England to be tried for their crimes if caught. The colonists hated this act so much that they wrote a total of 50 letters to England explaining why they shouldn't go through with this Act, and it never actually went into place. England kept trying to put more taxes into place to pay off debt.
  • Quartering Act

    Quartering Act
    This law stated that the colonists had to willingly house, clothe, and feed British soldiers in the Americas, which helped the British keep an eye on the colonies.
  • Stamp Act

    Stamp Act
    G. Grenville, in another attempt to control the colonies and get money to pay off the war debt, proposed the Stamp Act. This law made it so that you had to have a British approved stamp on all paper goods. The Sons Of Liberty were famous for protesting these acts, but they weren't the only ones. The Stamp Act Congress declared that it was unconstitutional for England to tax the colonies due to no representation in Parliament. P. Henry was also famous for protesting at the House Of Burgesses.
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    Stamp Act Congress

    Representatives from nine colonies in New York City to discuss why the Stamp Act shouldn't be imposed. In the end of the meeting, they said that, since they're not represented in Parliament, then Britain can't pass laws that affect them. After this meeting, the act was repealed.
  • Declaratory Act

    Declaratory Act
    This act, proposed soon after the Stamp Act was repealed, stated that Britain reserved the right to impose laws that affect the colonies.
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    Townshend acts

    C. Townshend, recently appointed as the new Prime Minister, created a series of taxes on the colony's more profitable goods. The Writs Of Assistance, which was also apart of the acts, stated that the British soldiers had the right to search your house at any given time. Parliament hoped these laws would pay for the war debt. This led to boycotts and petition letters, so these laws were very quickly repealed, with the exception of the Tea Act.
  • Boston Massacre

    Boston Massacre
    ~Captain Thomas Preston and his men arrive on Kings Street, where they're met by many angered colonists.
    ~As commotion grew in the conflict, Captain Preston tried to order his men not to fire. However, they probably only heard the words "fire" and shot into the crowd.
    ~5 colonists were killed, and the British soldiers were tried for their actions.
  • Boston Tea Party

    Boston Tea Party
    The Sons Of Liberty, in protest of the Tea Act, decided to:
    ~Dress up as Indians and tar and feather the British soldiers.
    ~Dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor.
    The British responded to this event by shutting down the Boston Harbor, taking away Boston's legislature, and imposing the Coercive Acts.
  • Coercive Acts

    Coercive Acts
    These laws, mainly affecting Boston, were meant to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party. They took away Massachusetts's government and shut down the Boston Harbor. They also enforced the Quartering Act and the Quebec Acts. The colonists responded to these acts by assembling the First Continental Congress.
  • Quebec Act

    Quebec Act
    The Quebec Act gave Canada a permanent government, complete religious freedom, and the French civil law. This led to even more resentment from the colonies toward England.
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    Second Continental Congress

    This meeting consisted of representatives from all 13 colonies. Some being T. Jefferson, J.Jay, J. Adams, and G. Washington. They met once again in Philadelphia to discuss the war effort and a setting up of an army. They concluded the meeting with an agreement on three things: the Olive Branch Petition, Declaration of The Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, and the Continental Army.
  • First Continental Congress

    First Continental Congress
    This congress was a meeting of representatives from 12 colonies (Georgia was the only colony that didn't come). Some of the most famous being G. Washington, J. Adams, J. Jay, and P. Henry. They met in Philadelphia to discuss the Coercive Acts. AS a result, the colonies agreed on the Suffolk Resolves and the Declaration Of Rights.
  • Battle Of Lexington And Concord

    Battle Of Lexington And Concord
    The British were looking for a weapon stash, S. Adams, and J. Hancock, but instead found a slew of militia waiting for them. The British eventually retreated with a total of 273 overall casualties, whereas the colonists celebrate their victory with only 93 overall casualties. This big win gave the colonies confidence that they could win a war against the British.
  • Battle of Bunker Hill

    Battle of Bunker Hill
    This battle, fought on the Charlestown peninsula, was considered as a pyrrhic victory of Britain. Fought on a hillside, the British were fighting an uphill battle against the colonists. After 3 attacks, the British were finally able to defeat the colonists. This significant battle led to a major confidence boost despite the loss.
  • Common Sense

    Common Sense
    Written by T. Paine, this pamphlet was meant to encourage patriotism throughout the Americas. He argued for independence and a democratic republic in the colonies. He was very successful in influencing the colonists to join the patriot's side.
  • Declaration Of Independence

    Declaration Of Independence
    Written by T. Jefferson, this is one of our founding documents. It was officially signed on 8/2/1776, and it formally declared our separation from Britain. The main thing that we live by is the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This was a major milestone for the colonies, and it was one that carries on to this day.