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French and Indian War
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French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was a war fought between the French and British over land. Due to the quick expansion, fear and conflict were beginning to unfold and led to fighting. The British's European tactics failed against the French and Native's guerrilla warfare. In the end, the British won and gained control over Canada and the land east of the Mississippi River. -
Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 banned colonists from settling past the Appalachian Mountains, gave the Natives some of their land back, and ultimately created separation between the colonists and the Natives. The colonists didn't like this because the French and Indian War was just fought, and doing this would counteract that. -
Pontiac's War
Because of the 7 Years War and recent expansion, the Natives had been being forced out of their homes and assimilated to European culture. Pontiac, leader of the Ottawa nation, launched a revolt against Britain. This was a very bloody war and resulted in the Proclamation of 1763. -
Sugar, Quartering, and Stamp Acts
These acts were put in place by Britain in order for colonists to pay them back for the war costs and efforts. The Sugar Act placed taxes on molasses, raising the price. The Quartering Act forced colonists to house and feed British soldiers. The Stamp Act put taxes on paper items such as a paper contract, etc. -
Townshend Act
The Townshend Act was a new tax on anything that was imported. Additionally, the Writs of Assistance were put into place. This created search powers for British officials and created more and more issues with colonists. This also led to the Boston Massacre. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a result of a colonists' protest against said Acts. They were arguing, throwing things, and yelling at a line of British soldiers. One of the soldiers fired, on accident, and this chain reacted. The other soldiers fired into the innocent crowd and a few died. -
Tea Act
The East India Company's monopoly on tea sales. This company favored Britain and took the colonists as an opportunity to sell more tea. This was a main cause of the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party took place on December 16. The Sons of Liberty dumped East Indian tea products into the Boston Harbor as a form of protest and boycott. -
Intolerable Acts
Britain's response to the Boston Tea Party was the Intolerable Acts. This included The Boston Port Act (closed ports), Massachusetts Government Act (no elections), Administration of Justice Act (British officials an't be punished), and ultimately tried took away any form of self-governance in the colonies. -
First Continental Congress
A group of delegates got together and created a petition and repealed the King. They protested the Acts and asserted their rights. This petition was the colonies' response to the Intolerable Acts and was rejected by the King. -
Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga was a win for the Patriots and helped them to gain main waterway control. This was an important step and advantage for the colonists. -
Lexington and Concord
The colonists were hiding weapons in preparation for their upcoming revolt. British soldiers marched through Concord in search for these weapons but didn't find any. Due to spies, the colonists were prepared. A shot was fired, nobody knows by who, and led into battling. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was another gathering and discussion of colonial delegates in Philadelphia. They formed their army and made George Washington the commander. -
Bunker Hill
The battle of Bunker Hill took place on Breed's Hill. It was a British victory since the untrained colonial militia was untrained. -
"Common Sense"
This 50-page pamphlet, written by Thomas Paine, helped the colonists to understand the logistics and ethics of independence. It convinced many people to become Patriots, or increased already present support, and added to the take off of literature. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was mainly written by Thomas Jefferson, based on the ideas formed from the Enlightenment, and was overall a unanimous decision of the colonies to formally state separation. Britain ignores this and continues fighting. -
Saratoga
Saratoga was a major American victory where the colonists gained New England back. -
French Alliance
After the colonists prove themselves at Saratoga, France is impressed and wanting to overpower Britain. In order to do this, the colonists need to gain independence, therefore decreasing Britain's land and power. France and the colonies decide to create an alliance. This meaning the colonists now have a navy. -
Valley Forge
Valley Forge was the long and harsh winter when the colonial militia trained and grew stronger. The British were camping in the cities and didn't improve. This gave the colonists a huge advantage. -
Yorktown
When the British made it back to their Basecamp after retreating, they found all of their ships gone, replaced, and blockaded by French naval ships. They were forced to surrender. This was marked as the last battle. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was written in Paris. It defined the new nation of the 13 colonies', and the land around it, new territories and borders. Britain also recognized the colonies' as independent.