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French and Indian War
The French, who were in an alliance with the Native Americans, went to war against England. During this war they attacked and took control of each other's land and forts. This was important because it caused a dispute between the two after the French lost, causing them to join in an alliance with the colonists during the Revolutionary War. -
Sugar Act
England's monarchy made merchants pay a large tax on sugar. This was important because it was one of the first things that happened to make colonists mad at the British rule. -
Boston Massacre
With all of the new acts being passed, a group of colonists began to riot. A guard fired and the soldiers began to fire into the crowd killing five and injuring six. This was important because it infuriated colonists and was one of the more major events that led to the Revolutionary War. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act, passed by Parliament on May 10, 1773, granted the British East India Company Tea a tax on tea sales in the American colonies.This was important because the British were taxing something the colonists needed and started a secret society. -
The Boston Tea Party
Boston colonists, disguised as Indians, threw the contents of several hundred chests of tea into the harbor as a protest against The British Tea Act. This was important because it was the foirst act of rebellion against the British. -
The Quartering Act
Much like the Port Act, the Quartering Act was made to punish colonists. It made colonist feed, clothe, and shelter British soldiers. This was important because the punishment was dealt to all colonists to punish them which made them mad at the Red Coats. -
Boston Port Act
To punish colonists for the Boston Tea Party, the British stopped ports from being used, thus taking business and money along with supplies away from the colonists. This was important because it didn't only inconvenience the colonists, it moved many into bankruptcy. -
Patrick Henry's “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” Speech
The Second Virginia Convention met March 20, 1775 inland at Richmond. Delegate Patrick Henry presented resolutions to raise a militia, and to put Virginia in defense. This was important because it was the first plan of government to rise against the British. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
fought on April 19, 1775, these battles kicked off the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) The British marched to Boston to fight colonists and put them in their place for the rebellions. This was important because it was the first battle against the British and the colonists. -
Battle at Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought on June 17, 1775. The Americans held off two British charges, but were finally forced to retreat on the third charge. This event was important because the British suffered heavy losses and knew the colonists weren't going to give up easily. -
George Washington is Named Commander in Chief
The Continental Congress commissioned George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army on June 19, 1775. This was important because he became the most important leader and coordinator of the colonists' battle against the British. -
Thomas Paine Writes Common Sense
Published in 1776, Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people. This was important because more people knew about the revolution and were rising against the British. -
Declaration of Independence
British soldiers and colonists were constantly fighting. Congress had to vote on the matter. They wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence to show what rights, independence, and freedoms the average colonist has. This was important because this document gave the rights to each colonist and future American. -
Battle of Ticonderoga
This was the first battle to be won by the American Continental Army before the British took Fort Ticonderoga back two years later. This was important because it was the first British Fort the colonists captured. -
Battle of Saratoga
The two Battles of Saratoga were a turning point in the American Revolution. The British won but had many casualties during the battles. -
Alliance between the Rebels and French
The French wanted to aid the Americans in their efforts for independence after they lost the French and Indian War. They helped the colonists defeat Saratoga. -
Battle of Yorktown
George Washington, commanding a force of 17,000 French and Continental troops, begins a siege against 9,000 troops inn Virginia. This was the most important battle in the Revolutionary War. This was important because the battle caused extensive losses to the British and the colonists had won. -
General Cornwallis surrenders to Washington at Yorktown
General Cornwallis surrenders to the colonists after he realizes they are outnumbered. This is important because it shows how the colonists had the upper hand in the war. -
Peace Treaty Signed ending the American Revolution
The Treaty of Paris was signed allowing the colonies to break away from British rule and earn their own independence. This was important because it ended the Revolutionary war.
