-
Period: to
Issues building up to the French and Indian War
These events are only important to the bigger picture which is there was tension between Spain, France, and Great Britain over control of North America -
King William's War (1689 - 1697) & Queen Anne's War (1702 - 1713)
Mostly against British colonists and French Traders with Native American Allies. Neither Country considered the Americas worth sending regular troops. -
King George's War (1744 - 1748)
France Allies with Spain, with a British fleet and luck the colonists take the French fort Louisbourg, which cut off supplies to the French and its Native allies in the Ohio Valley. At the end of the war give the fort back which pissed off the colonists. -
French and Indian War Begins
Also know as the seven years war (1754–63) fought between France and Great Britain and their Native American Allies. This war will determine control of the vast colonial territory of North America. Will later spread to Europe, West indies, Philippines, Africa, and the open seas. -
Albany Congress
The purpose was to have colonial leaders meet with representatives from the Six Nations to discuss how the colonies could work with them against the French.
Also to create an organized partnership between the colonies, for threats or needs that impacted all of the colonies.
The first attempt at unifying the colonies together. -
Treaty of Paris / End of the French and Indian War
The Treaty of Paris of 1763 ended the French and Indian War/Seven Years' War between Great Britain and France, as well as their respective allies. In the terms of the treaty, France gave up all its territories in mainland North America, effectively ending any foreign military threat to the British colonies there. However, disputes over frontier policy and paying the war’s expenses led to colonial discontent, and ultimately to the American Revolution. -
Proclamation of 1763
Proclamation of 1763 was issued by the British at the end of the French and Indian War to appease Native Americans. It stated that the colonists could not move passed Appalachian Mountains, the land west of this was for the Indians. This boundary became known as the proclamation line. -
Period: to
Events Leading to The Revolutionary War
-
THE SUGAR ACT
Britain needed to maintain the army and repay war debts, Parliament decided to impose duties on colonial trade. The Sugar Act imposed duties on foreign wines, coffee, textiles, and indigo imported into the colonies. -
Quartering Act
Required that certain colonies provide food and quarters to the British troops. It forced colonists to house and feed the British troops. -
Stamp Act
Passed by British Parliament under King George III, imposed a tax on all papers and official documents in the American colonies, but not in England. -
The Townshend act
Series of laws passed by Britain on the colonies. Placed new taxes imports of paper, paint, lead, glass, and tea. Led to new boycotts from the colonists. -
The Boston Massacre
A deadly riot that happened in Boston. between a "patriot" mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British soldiers. The soldiers eventually opened fire and when it was done 5 men were killed, among them was a former slave, Crispus Attucks. The conflict energized anti-British sentiment and paved the way for the American Revolution. -
Boston Tea Party
Boston colonists and members of the sons of liberty led by Samuel Adams disguised as Mohawk Indians and dumped 700 chests of tea in the harbor to protest the Tea Act, the monopoly granted to the East India Company, and more generally, against "taxation without representation". -
Intolerable Acts
Series of 4 punitive laws passed by the British after the Boston Tea Party. The laws aimed to punish Massachusetts colonists for their defiance in the Tea Party protest of the Tea Act. Originally called the Coercive Acts but quickly became known in America as the Intolerable Acts because they perceived as being so cruel and severe. the most severe closing Boston Harbor until tea was paid for. -
First Continental Congress
Met at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies met to discuss America’s future under growing British aggression and organize colonial resistance to the Intolerable Acts
Issued the Declaration of Rights, stating loyalty to the Britain, but disputing Parliament’s right to tax it without representation.
Also passed the Articles of Association, which called on the colonies to stop importing goods from Britain in intolerable acts weren't repealed. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord, the famous 'shot heard 'round the world', marked the start of the American War of Independence. Politically disastrous for the British, and persuaded many Americans to take up arms and support the cause of independence. -
Second Continental Congress
(all 13 colonies present) When they met, the Battles of Lexington and Concord had already happened and the American Revolution had begun.
They organized the continental Army, chose George Washington to lead the army, and called on the colonies to send troops.
Hoping to avoid a full out war, they drafted the Olive Branch Petition and sent it to King George III claiming they didn't want to break away from Britain. (He refuses to read it and declare the colonies in revolt) -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Early in the Revolutionary War, though the British defeated the Americans, the inexperienced colonial forces inflicted significant casualties against the enemy, and the battle provided them with an important confidence boost during the Siege of Boston and the rest of the war. -
Common Sense is published
A 47 page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine advocating for independence from Great Britain to people in the 13 Colonies. Writing in clear and persuasive prose, Paine marshaled moral and political arguments to encourage common people in the Colonies to fight for equal government -
The Declaration of Independence
Adopted by the Second Continental Congress, which declared the Colonies free and independent of the crown and Great Britain.
Broken up into 3 parts: a general statement of natural rights theory and the purpose of government; a list of grievances against the British King; and the declaration of independence from England. -
Battle of Trenton
Washington’s army crossed the Delaware on Christmas Day and defeated a formidable garrison of Hessian mercenaries. A week later he returned to Trenton and executed a daring night march to capture Princeton on January 3.The victories reasserted American control of much of New Jersey and greatly improved the morale and unity of the colonial army and militias. -
Battle of Saratoga
Turning point in the War. The American defeat of the superior British army lifted patriot morale, furthered the hope for independence, and helped to secure French support needed to win the war. -
Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation
The Articles created a loose confederation of 13 sovereign states and a weak central government, leaving most of the power with the state. This was the first constitution of the new nation independent from Great Britain. -
Treaty of Alliance
Signed by the American colonies and France to pledge alliance against Britain amidst the American Revolution. -
Battle of Yorktown
British General Lord Cornwallis Surrenders 8,000 soldiers to George Washington and the French and American troops in Yorktown, ending any hope of Great Britain winning the war. -
Treaty of Paris (American Revolution)
The official peace treaty that ended the American Revolutionary War. It was signed by America and Britain and recognized America as an independent nation, requiring all British troops to leave the territory. -
Shays' Rebellion
An armed uprising in Western Massachusetts in opposition to high taxes and stringent economic conditions. Armed bands of farmers mostly former soldiers in the continental army led by Daniel Shay forced the closing of courts to prevent foreclosures and debt collections on farmers.
After some time the rebellion ended but was significant as it exposed weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation and led many to call for strengthening the federal government. -
Northwest Ordinance
Adopted by Continental Congress, it was written to charter a gov't for the Northwest Territory, to admit new states to the Union from the territory, and listed a bill of rights guaranteed in the territory. -
Constitutional Convention
A meeting, presided over by George Washington which rested on the dialogue and compromise of 55 representatives from the 13 original states, except Rhode Island. the original goal was to amend the Articles of Confederation, but quickly realized they needed to start from scratch and after much deliberation created the Constitution. -
The Federalist Papers published
A collection of 85 essays to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution written by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. -
Beginning of the French Revolution
The revolution ended feuds in Western and Eastern Europe and inspired the Enlightenment period. -
Election of George Washington
The nation's first inauguration came on April 30, 1789 Held in New York, this inaugurated Washington for his first of his two presidential terms. He was elected unanimously under the US constitution by 69 electoral votes. -
Bill of Rights ratified
After being ratified by Virginia, the first 10 amendments of the US Constitution became the law of the land. -
Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion was the first test of federal authority in the United States. This rebellion enforced the idea that the new government had the right to levy a particular tax that would impact citizens in all states. -
Washington's Farewell Address
A letter to “Friends and Citizens,” Washington warned that the forces of geographical sectionalism, political factionalism, and interference by foreign powers in the nation's domestic affairs threatened the stability of the republic. -
Election of John Adams
Influenced the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Rev. War, and acted as the first VP of the United States and second president. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
The laws made it possible to remove foreigners, and made it harder for immigrants to vote.
.
