American revolution cover photo

The American Revolution Timeline

  • The Sugar Act

    The Sugar Act
    although it reduced the tax on molasses, the sugar act was strictly enforced, so colonist ended up paying more taxes
  • British Taxes

    British Taxes
    Those who apposed British taxes called themselves "patriots" and the sons of liberty was born with Sam Adams as its leader
  • The Stamp Act

    The Stamp Act
    the stamp act was the tax on printed items was the first direct tax on the colonists. It added a fee to printed materials such as legal documents and newspapers
  • French and Indian War

    French and Indian War
    Following the French and Indian War, Britain maintained a standing army in the colonies. The Quartering Act required colonial assemblies to house and provision soldiers.
  • Sons of Liberty

    Sons of Liberty
    A mob led by the Sons of Liberty tore down the office and damaged the house of the stamp collector.
  • The Declaratory Act

    The Declaratory Act
    the declaratory act repealed the stamp act but asserted parliament's right to rule the colonies as saw fit
  • Taxes

    Taxes
    import taxes on a variety of goods were collected to support royal officials in the colonies, removing the responsibility from the colonial assemblies. the townsend acts were so unpopular that all the taxes were repealed, except the one on tea.
  • Boston Massacre

    Boston Massacre
    a group of colonists hurled snowballs and rocks at British soldiers guarding the customs house. The soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five colonists
  • The Tea Act

    The Tea Act
    The Tea Act was created to save the East India Company. Although it lowered the price of tea, it gave the company a monopoly and threatened the business of colonial importers.
  • Boston Tea Party

    Boston Tea Party
    Boston patriots dressed as Indians, boarded three British ships laden with tea and dumped the tea into the harbor. The event became known as The Boston Tea Party.
  • The Intolerable Act

    The Intolerable Act
    the intolerable act officially called the coercive acts, these laws were meant to force Massachusetts to pay for the tea destroyed in the Boston Tea Party. The laws closed Boston Harbor and forced colonists to house British soldiers in their homes.
  • boycott

    boycott
    the first continental congress meets. agree to boycott British goods
  • Olive Branch Petition

    Olive Branch Petition
    congress send an "Olive Branch" to King George III. He rejected the petition and sent more troops to Boston.
  • "Give me liberty or give me death"

    "Give me liberty or give me death"
    Patrick Henry, gives his most famous speech, in the house of Burgesses. "Give me liberty or give me death"
  • Lexington and Concord

    Lexington and Concord
    Battles of Lexington and Concord
  • Continental Congress meeting

    Continental Congress meeting
    second continental congress meets. congress names George Washington commander of continental army
  • Battle of Bunker Hill

    Battle of Bunker Hill
    Battle of Bunker Hill
  • Common sense

    Common sense
    Thomas Paine publishes common sense
  • Declaration of Independence was approved

    Declaration of Independence was approved
    Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the declaration of independence was approved
  • Period: to

    Valley Forge

    Baron Von Steuben trains the continental army at valley forge, penn. (winter)
  • Saratoga

    Saratoga
    Patriots win in Saratoga
  • France signs an alliance

    France signs an alliance
    France signs an alliance with the United States
  • 3000 patriots

    3000 patriots
    General Clinton captures 3000 patriot soldiers as he takes Charlestown, South Carolina
  • Yorktown

    Yorktown
    General Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
  • Treaty of Pairs

    Treaty of Pairs
    treaty of paris was signed