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Start of French & Indian War
The French and Indian War started due to a disagreement on territory in the Ohio River valley between France and Great Britain. This war initially began in 1754 and ended seven years later in 1763 with The Treaty of Paris. Britain's victory left them with a large gain of territory within North America. -
Treaty of Paris 1763
The Treaty of Paris (1763) was the agreement to end the French and Indian war. This resulted in France giving up their North American territories such as Canada and the Ohio River Valley. These territories were handed to Great Britain in exchange for their victory. -
Stamp Act Passed
In order to get the colonists to repay Great Britain, the British imposed a mandatory tax on certain imported goods. This tax was primarily enforced on printed items such as legal documents and newspapers. The profits from said tax all went to the British government, leading to both protests and resistance from the unwilling colonists. -
Quartering Act Passed
This act required the colonial officials to fund the housing, transportation, and food for British soldiers due to an overall lack of housing. This only built up tension between the colonists and Great Britain after the Stamp Act. -
The Boston Massacre
A group of colonists taunted some British soldiers stationed to guard the Custom House. The soldiers open fired into the crowd of colonists and killed 5 people. The Patriots saw this as a way to get others motivated to revolt against the British and began working toward independence. -
Tea Act Passed
The Tea Act was put in place due to a surplus of tea in the stock of the British East India Company. This allowed tea to be sold at a lower price and bypassed colonial merchants. Even with the lower prices however, the colonists were still worried about the Townshend tea tax that remained in place. -
The Boston Tea Party
The colonists had finally had it to the point of dressing as Native Americans and sneaking onto a British ship. They dumped hundreds of crates of tea into the Boston Harbor in rebellion of the Tea Act and the taxes previously imposed. -
Start of American Revolution
The American Revolution lasted about eight years as the colonists tried to obtain freedom and independence from Great Britain. This period contained many battles such as the battle of Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and Yorktown. The period of rebellion lasted up until the Treaty of Paris 1783. -
The Declaration of Independance
The Declaration of Independence was put in place during the American Revolution to formally enforce the colonies' freedom from King George III and Great Britain in general. This document also ensured their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris 1783 was established to end the American Revolution and recognize the colonies as an independent nation newly known as the United States of America. This finally ended the battle of freedom from the British and marking the end of colonial America.