-
Treaty of Paris, 1763
The Treaty of Paris is the treaty that ended French and Indian War. It forced France to give up its colonies in North America. All the land east of the Mississippi went to England, leaving the rest to Spain. However, Spain also had to give Florida to England. -
Proclamation of 1763
The English government forbids the colonization west of the Appalachian Mountains in attempts of peace with the Native Americans. This angered the colonists because they felt they had a right to the land after fighting for it in the French and Indian War. With tensions between the English and British already high after the end of the war, this stirred up dissention in the colonies. -
Sugar Act, 1764
The Sugar Act increased the tax on sugar coming from the West Indies. This law is significant because it was the first law passed by Parliament that introduced increased taxes in America. Although the taxes were later lowered, it somewhat initiated the colonist's resentment toward their mother country, England. -
Quartering Act, 1765
The Quartering Act required colonies to provide food and shelter to British troops. This act caused a lot of dissension in the colonies because the colonists felt as though they no longer needed the presence of the British military, since the French and Indian was over. -
Stamp Act, 1765
The Stamp Act put a tax on virtually all paper items, including playing cards, pamphlets, newspapers, diplomas, bills of lading, marriage licenses. To signify that the tax was paid, paper items were stamped. -
Stamp Act Congress, 1765
The Stamp Act Congress of 1765 was the gathering of twenty-seven delegates from nine colonies. These delegates met in New York City to draft a letter to the king and Parliament that stated their rights as colonists and their concerns, and asked for the Stamp Act to be repealed. Though their letter was ineffectual in Britain, the assembly helped to unite the colonies. -
Declatory Act, 1766
After having to repeal the Stamp Act, Parliament passed the Declaratory Act to reaffirm that they had power over the colonists. It gave them the right to pass any laws they felt necessary. This act had a big impact because, before, the colonists were practically self-run. -
Stamp Act Repealed, 1766
unemployed. Even though they had to pay more in taxes, even Britons began to protest for the repeal of the Stamp Act, leaving Parliament no choice. The repeal of this act was significant because it showed the colonist’s their efforts could make a difference. It also caused the Declaratory Act to be passed. -
Townshend Act, 1767
The Townshend Acts introduced a light tax on tea, most importantly, along with glass, white lead, paper, and paint. This angered the colonists because they still had no representation in Congress. This act was significant because it led to boycotts and protest, which in turn led to events such as the Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre. -
Boston Massacre, 1770
Due to tensions over the Townshend Acts and the presence of British soldiers in America, a clash broke out that caused the soldiers to open fire into a crowd of colonists. The soldiers killed 5 and injured 11. Although both sides were equally to blame, the American colonists were able to use the victims as martyrs for the cause of Independence; therefore, it impacted the spirit for independence in America. -
Boston Tea Party, 1773
The Boston Tea Party was a protest in which 100 or so citizens disguised as Indians boarded ships docked at the Boston harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea into the water. The Boston Tea Party was an important event in the American Revolution because it demonstrated the colonists’ rebellious attitude towards the British government. Additionally, it motivated the creation of the “Intolerable Acts,” which would also have significant effects. -
Intolerable Acts, 1774
The “Intolerable Acts” were a series of laws passed in response to the Boston Tea Party. These laws–which included closing the Port of Boston, revoking rights in the Massachusetts colonial charter, etc.–angered the colonists so much that they assembled the First Continental Congress to deal with the situation. -
First Continental Congress, 1774
In response to the Intolerable Acts, delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies (all but Georgia) assembled in Philadelphia. Together, the Congress drafted a Declaration of Rights, as well as appeals to the other British American colonies, to the king, and to the British people. The Congress also created The Association, which was a non-importation agreement that called for the boycott of all British goods. This was important because it was the colonies' first real attempt at unification. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord, 1775
The Battles of Lexington and Concord, fought outside of Boston, occurred between colonial “Minute Men” and British troops sent to seize the colonists’ gunpowder and arrest their leaders, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. The British, after killing eight Americans and wounded several more in Lexington, were forced to retreat at Concord. These battles were significant because they were the first real battles of the Revolutionary War. -
Second Continental Congress, 1775
The Second Continental Congress was a meeting of representatives from all thirteen colonies in Philadelphia. The meeting was held to continue their appeals to the king to end the conflicts as well as to begin taking measures to assemble an army and a navy, starting with putting George Washington as head of the army. This was significant because although the colonists were still intending to stay loyal to the king and to England, they also began to prepare for the worst–war with England. -
Battle of Bunker Hill, 1775
The Battle of Bunker Hill was a battle fought on the outskirts of Britain, on Breed’s Hill. The battle was named a British victory after the colonists were forced to retreat when they ran out of supplies. However, the victory was costly for the British, as they suffered great slaughter at the hands of the colonists. This battle helped to boost the morale of the colonists and prove to themselves and others that they were capable of fighting the British. -
Olive Branch Petition, 1775
In hopes of reconciliation with England, Congress adopted the Olive Branch Petition. It professed loyalty to the King while also listing their grievances with the government. This angered King George, causing him to formally proclaim the colonies in rebellion. Therefore, the Olive Branch Petition was significant because it caused the King to basically launch the Revolutionary War, leading to the colonists’ independence. -
Common Sense, 1776
Common Sense, written by Thomas Paine, was a pamphlet that encouraged complete separation from Britain, rather than reconciliation like most people at the time wanted. He argued that a complete change in government was needed; he introduced the idea of a Republic–a government run by the people. He also brought up that without independence, they could not have any foreign assistance. Therefore, Paine’s Common Sense influenced both the foundation of America’s independence and its foreign policies. -
Declaration of Independence, 1776
The Declaration of Independence, formally approved by Congress on July, 4, 1776. Along with declaring the colonies’ independence from Britain, it listed the colonist’s grievance with the king and how England was being run. This had a big impact on how the United States would be run; a lot of the basic rights laid out later on were based on these grievances. The Declaration of Independence also had a big impact globally, inspiring revolutions everywhere. -
Battle of Trenton, 1776
In the Battle of Trenton, George Washington stealthily recrossed the Delaware River, allowing him to surprise and capture 1,000 Hessians. This battle was significant because the easy victory restored the Americans soldiers' morale. -
Battle of Saratoga, 1777
The Battle of Saratoga was a decisive colonial victory. The colonists claimed victory after trapping the British army at Saratoga and forcing British General Burgoyne to surrender his entire force to American General Horatio Gates. The Battle of Saratoga not only helped to boost the morale of the colonial troops, but it also helped them to gain foreign aid from France, who would play a crucial part in helping them gain their independence. -
Battle of Yorktown, 1781
In the Battle of Yorktown, General George Washington and his men–with significant help from French allies–forced British General Cornwallis to surrender his entire force of seven thousand men after laying siege to the city. This battle was the last significant battle in the Revolutionary War.
