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The French and Indian War
France and Britain were in fierce competition for land and rivers in the Ohio River Valley.They also competed for control of North America's important resources. The French had firm alliances with several Native American groups. In 1754, when troops under Major George Washington fired on French soldiers near Fort Duquesne, they started the French and Indian War, a nine-year war against the French and their Native Americans allies. -
Boston Massacre
The British sent soldiers to the colonies to remind the colonists that the government still had the power to tax them. In Boston, where many citizens felt they were being bullied into paying unjust taxes, tensions between colonist and soldiers led to the Boston Massacre in 1770. -
Turmoil over Taxation
After the French and Indian War, the British faced new problems in north america. The French and Indian War had cost a great deal of money.The colonists argued that the taxes were unfair. Colonists protested writing petitions and attacking tax collectors. The British sent soldiers to the colonies to remind the colonists that the government still had the power to tax them. Tension between colonist and soldiers led to the Boston Massacre in 1770. -
From Protest to Revolution
In 1773,the British passed the Tea Act,a law that taxed tea shipped to the American Colonies.The colonies believed it was a trick to make them accept taxes passed by the British government.The British Parliament also handed down a set of extremely harsh laws meant to punish the colonists for their protests.Colonists called these laws the Intolerable Acts.In response,colonial leaders formed the First Continental Congress.The Battle of Lexington and Concord, begging American Revolution -
The American Revolution
After the battles of Lexington and Concord,American colonist still hoped to avoid war with Britain.The Congress formed the first Continental Army and appointed George Washington to led it. At the beginning of the war the British appeared to have many advantages.However the colonists also had factors in their favor. During the first year of war the two sides fought over Boston.The British navy used its powerful fleet to set up a blockade of all colonial ports. -
Second Continental congress
In 1775, the second Continental Congress met to decide the colonies future. The delegates sent the Olive Branch Petition to king George III. They declared their loyalty but asked the king to repeal the Intolerable Acts. -
The Colonies Declare Independence
In early 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common sense.Paine argued the case for American independence.He wrote that the colonist owed nothing to Britain. Common Sense persuaded many colonist to support independence.The members of the Continental Congress asked Thomas to write a document declaring that the United States was now an independent country.On July 4,1776, the Continental Congress passed the Declaration of Independence. -
Struggle in the Middle States
In August 1776, the British clashed with Washington and his troops in the Battle of Long Island,Washington was forced to retreat to Manhattan.There Washington fought a series of battles with the British army.In December and January,Washington boldly attacked the British and fought the Battles of Trenton and Princeton.Patriot troops defeated the British in the Battle of Saratoga in New York. The victory ended British threats to New England and raised American spirits. -
Fighting for Liberty on Many Fronts
The American Revolution took place on many fronts.Fighting occurred not only in New England and the Middle States bit also in the west and the South.Important battles were fought on the frontier and at sea.African Americans fought on both sides during the war.The British promised freedom to any male slave who fought for the king.About 5,000 African Americans fought on the Patriot side,serving as soldiers,sailors,drummers,spies,and guides. -
Winning the War in the South
The British defeated at the Battle of Yorktown forced them to agree to peace talks.The war was officially over with the Treaty of Paris,which was ratified by Congress in April 1783.The British recognized the United States as an independent nation.The treaty also established the borders of the United States:east and west,the border extended from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River;to the north,the border stopped at the Great Lakes;and to the south,the border stopped at Florida.
