US History (see in fullscreen; first few dates wrong to condense timeline)

  • 1350

    Some stuff about Native Americans

    Corn :)
    SW: buildings abode cliff dwelings; pottery, textile, basket, kokolpelli - a diety (arts developed bc they had more food), traded as far as mexico
    Mississipian: large mounds, big cities
    SE: Three sister farming (squash, beans, corn) - improved diet - larger populations
    NE: iroquois league by Hiawatha - defense, cooperation, longhouses (communal property); live w/environment, not controlling it, death from disease and war
  • 1365

    Date wrong - Some stuff about motivations for exploration

    Crusades: conflict in Jerusalem, demand for trade w/ east
    Marco Polo: writings inspired ppl, italian trading states
    Fall of Constantinople: Mehmed II made ppl pay taxes to go through
    Technology: Astrolabe, Caravel, Compass (Portugal)
    Protestant Reformation, Reconquista, Renaissance
    Peasants want to get better lives
  • 1430

    Three waves of migration (time incorrect; click for details)

    Not in the right time because I'm lazy
    First Migration: (9000 years ago)
    to the Americas via the Beringia land bridge when glaciers lowered ocean levels
    Second Migration: (8000 years ago)
    by water
    includes Navajos and Apaches
    Third Migration:(500 years ago)
    by water
    includes Eskimos
  • Period: 1431 to 1437

    Erik the Red's Journey to Greenland (983-985) - Time wrong

    Viking
  • 1436

    Lief Erikson reaches modern-day Canada (1001); time wrong

    Viking
  • Period: 1440 to

    Little Ice Age (STARTED ~1350)

    STARTED 1350 BUT I WANNA SHORTEN THE TIMELINE
    crop failures, famine, social unrest
    economic depression in late 1500s
    higher homelessness unemployment
  • 1445

    Portugal begins establishing trading posts off the coast of Africa

    beginning 1450's
    Gold slaves
    sugar plantations on Atlantic islands
    foundation for the american plantation system
  • 1450

    Gutenberg Press (Around this time)

    Makes books, maps, scientific and technological ideas widely available
  • 1450

    Most Europeans were Peasants

    gave motivation to go to new lands for wealth/status
    not exact date?
  • 1488

    Bartolomeu Dias becomes the first to round Africa

    Portugese
  • 1492

    Columbus Decides to "Subjugate by force of arms" the Taino, Arawak, and Carib people

    by the date listed
  • 1492

    Reconquista

    Spanish expulsion of the Moors
    inspired Spain to grow and challenge Portugal
  • Period: Aug 3, 1492 to Oct 12, 1492

    Columbus' Voyage to the New World

    Spain - Caribbean
  • Treaty of Tordesillas
    1494

    Treaty of Tordesillas

    Pope divides the world between Spain and Portugal
    Date that Spain Portugal agree to the line
    line later moved to give Portugal all of Brazil
    Spain gets more of the New World, Portugal gets more of Africa, etc.
    image from https://static-prod.lib.princeton.edu/visual_materials/maps/websites/pacific/spice-islands/demarcation-lines.html
  • Period: 1497 to

    Triangle Trade

    15-18th centuries
    New England - Africa - rum other stuff for stuff
    Africa - Caribbean - slaves for sugar
    Caribbean - New England - Sugar for rum
    Middle Passage: taken from "slave coast" of Africa, bad conditions, transport of slaves across atlantic (about 1.5 mil people died; 1 in 10 ships had slave revolts)
  • Period: 1497 to 1498

    John Cabot explores Northeast American to find Trade Routes

    English
  • 1498

    Vasco de Gama made it to India

    by going south of Africa
    Portugese
  • 1513

    Ponce de Leon ties to find the Fountain of Youth in modern-day Florida (1513 expedition))

    Spanish Conquistador
  • 1513

    Balbou explores Central America, Isthmus of Panama

    Spanish Conquistador
    The first European to see the Pacific by crossing Panama and claimed all land for Spain
    Established the first Spanish settlement for Spain in the Americas
  • 1519

    Cortes lands in Mexico

    Spanish
    Cortes landed in Mexico with 550 soldiers, 16 horses, and cannons
    Malinche (female slave) served as translator
    used aztec's enemies againstt Aztecs
    Cortes seen as god by Aztecs because he was fair-skinned because of the Legend of Quetzalcoatl
  • Period: 1519 to 1522

    Magellan circles the world

    Spanish Conquistador
    Portugese but sailed for Spain
    The first person to circumnavigate the globe
    got killed in the Philippines
  • 1520

    Noche Triste

    Moctezuma drove Cortés from Tenochtitlan
    they left a lot of gold
  • 1521

    Ponce de Leon ties to find the Fountain of Youth in modern-day Florida (1521 expedition))

    Spanish Conquistador
  • Aug 13, 1521

    Cortes conquers the Aztecs

    disease played major role
  • 1524

    Verrazano explores the New World

    Italian but worked for French
  • 1531

    Pizarro lands in Peru

    landed with 180 soldiers, 27 horses
    Incas gave them 13,000lb gold 26,000lb silver to leave
  • 1534

    Cartier explores America

    French
  • Period: 1539 to 1542

    De Soto looks for City of Gold (Cibola)

    Spanish Conquistador
    searched southeast
    Discovered the Mississippi River
  • 1540

    Coronado tries to find the City of Gold (Cibola)

    Spanish Conquistador
    traveled from Grand Canyon to Kansas
  • 1542

    Bartolomé de las Casas writes *Destruction of the Indies*

    Destruction of the Indies
    protested impact of Spanish policies and how they treated native people
  • 1558

    Queen Elizabeth ascends to the Throne

  • Period: to

    Richard Hakluyt argued for "planting" settlements in New World

    and lobbied for approval charter for Virginia Company
  • Sir Walter Raleigh establishes Roanoke

    in North Carolina
  • Roanoke disappears by this time

    Sir Walter Raleigh finds Roanoke gone with "Croatoan" cryptically etched into a tree
  • Gold and silver cause price revolution Europe

    By listed date
    inflation
    caused by the increase in the amount and supplies of gold from the New World led to the development of capitalism and commercial banking
    wages do not keep up
  • Period: to

    American Life in 17th Century

    New England:
    Lifespan longer, families bigger, stable strong structures, all worked farm
    women married young, up to 10 pregnancies, animals, clothes, food, no political/economic/property rights
    men controlled property/family wealth/farms/businesses, could vote, participate in gov
    Town: desiger pop., geo not suited for large-scale farming - growth of towns; commons in center; more education for Bible
    Town meetings: met voted on issues; developing democracy; inspo from Congregatinalist church
  • Period: to

    "Starving Time" for Jamestown

    winter 1609-1610
    440 of 500 settlers died
    company kept sending more settlers
  • Jamestown Established

    along James River in VA
    half of settlers dies in the first winter
  • First Settlement in Quebec

    French
    Samuel de Chaplain
  • Separatist move to Holland

    to escape persecution in England
    also because King James I tried to force all English to follow official religion
  • John Rolfe Begins Growing Tobacco

    after a few iterations, soil becomes unusable
    gave Britain a cash crop (crop for money) to keep settlement going
    Important for Jamestown
  • First Anglo-Powhatan War

    Indian homes and fields burned
    Ended with marriage of Pocahontas to John Rolfe
    English win because Powhatans not united disease destroyed communities
  • Slavery Introduced to Virginia

    Early on slaves too expensive to be brought in large numbers
    Children of slaves are not slaves yet (legislation comes later)
  • House of Burgesses established

    in Virginia colony
    first elected assembly in america
    elected by (typically white men) landowners
    allowed colonists to make thier own laws
    sometimes seen as rebellious
    King James I did not trust it
  • Separatists leave Holland

    on the Mayflower
    left because they thought the Dutch in Holland would infect their church
  • Separatists arrive in the New World

    set up Plymouth colony in Cape Cod (hook shape on MA)
    did not have legal rights to set up colony there
    did not arrive in the right location, they were trying to go to Virginia colony
    Helped by Wampanoag native american to live and survive and fertilize crops in new world
    celebrated first harvest w/ Thanksgiving Mayflower Compact:
    first form of rudimentary constitution; pledged loyalty to the king and follow lars; agreed to folow will of majority; self-government
  • Epidemic kills most Native Americans around Plymouth

  • New Netherland established

    by the Dutch
    Capital: New Amsterdam
    Governor: Peter Stuyvesant
    Early access to ocean interior via Hudson River
    dutch would trade w/ anyone
    wanted to make money, not build "City Upon a Hill"
  • King James I revoked Virginia Company charter and made Virginia a royal colony

    House of Burgesses stays
  • Puritans prosecuted in England

    so they got royal charted for Massachusetts Bay Colony:
    right to set up headquarters, make laws, elect officers - settler want to govern themselves
  • Period: to

    Great Migration

    15,000 puritans to New England
    ended 1642 because Oliver Cromwell (Puritan) led parliament after english civil war, less prosecution
  • Maryland Established

    King James I splits part of VA gives it to Lord Baltimore
    Founded as haven for Catholics
    Offered huge tracts of land for settlers who paid their own passage (Headright system?)
    indentured servants created resentment with poorer farmers
    relied on tobacco and indentured servants
  • Roger Williams Expelled from Masachusetts

    dissenter
    argued for separation of church state
    state should not legislate religious behavior (i.e. blue laws)
    Massachusetts Bay Charterillegal beacuse settlers took land from Indians
  • Hartford (Connecticut) founded

    by Reverend Thomas Hooker
    Boston Puritans seeking farmland
  • Pequot War

    English Narragansett fought against the Pequot
    treaty outlawed, Pequot language name, took lands, sold them as aslaves
    English annihilate Pequots
  • Anne Hutchinson convicted of heresy and expelled from Massachusetts Bay Colony

    challenged puritan teachings
    heresy: going against religion the church
    Antinomialism - since life is predestined, people are under no obligation to follow edicts of either church or government
    founded Portsmouth in RI
    eventually moved to NY and killed
  • New Haven (CT) founded

    wanted stricter church-state connection than Massachusetts
  • Fundamental Orders of Conneticut

    first written constitution
    created by Hartford settlement
    set up self government, legislative assembly created by public vote
    governor chsoen by the legislature
    voting limited to property owners
  • Massachusetts becomes first colony to recognize slaverey

  • Just some stuff about Massachusetts Bay colony

    governor: John Winthrop (founded Boston)
    settlers were wealthy educated; communities built around church
    no religious toleration (Puritans only)
    wanted to make a "City Upon a hill" to be an example for the world
    had Congregational Church and Town government
    NOT democracy
    clergy selected by people and had to remain "popular" to keep position
    Blue Laws - gov. passes laws to enforce moral codes small towns family farms; relied on commerce agriculture
  • Period: to

    English Civil War

    Between the king and the parliament
    left colonies to fend for themselves
  • New England Confederation created

    Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, New haven, conneticut
    to provie safety government during English Civil Wars
    useful during King Philip's War
  • Second Anglo-Powhatan War

    Indians try to force white people from land but lose
    defeated indians were banished from their lands
    English win because Powhatans not united disease destroyed communities
  • Rhode Island gets charter from Parliament

    Founded by Roger Williams
    religious toleration
    attracted independent thinkers
    had first Baptist Church in America
  • King Charles I beheaded

    Oliver Cromwell (Puritan) put in charge of Parliament
  • more English in West Indies than Chesapeake & New England combined

    by 1650
  • Act of Toleration (Maryland)

    first legislative act of toleration
    freedom of religion in MA for all Christians
    passed because Protestants begin to outnumber Catholics
  • Tobacco market collapsed

    forced plantation owners to save on labor costs
    uprisings like Bacon's Rebellions deterred ppl from using indentured servants - transition to more slavery
  • El Paso, Texas founded

  • Charles II asked to be King

    of Britain
  • Virigina passes legislation saying children inherit mother's enslaved status

  • King Charles II gives Hartford Charter over all of Conneticut

    forced New Haven under Hartford control
  • Halfway Covenant

    New England
    allowed people to join church w/o conversion
    allowed non-elect into church
    reduced power of religious zealots
    contributed to Salem Witch Trials
  • King Charles of England gave land including New Netherland to Duke of York

    New Netherlands vulnerable bc surrounded by British colonies Duke of York sent fleet to make Dutch surrender
    Dutch surrudnder w/o a fight because they had no ammunition
  • Charles II grants land of Carolinas to proprietors

    to his supporters
    carolinas got wealth from trade w/ sugar plantations and slaces
    major export was rice
  • Planter/merchant elite owned more than 1/2 VA land

    by 1670
    controlled stores, loaned money, rented land to lower classes
  • Period: to

    Metacom (King Philip)'s War

    Metacom created indian alliance against English
    attacked 52 Purian towns
    Metacom defeated
    indian survivors proceed to move to reservations
    ended indian threat to new england
  • Beginning of Bacon's Rebellion

    By late 1600s, many former indentured servants now free
    Nathaniel Bacon led group of rebels against Governor Berkeley of Virginia
    wanted indians expelled from land, Berkeley didn't becuase of trade, which harmed ppl because they attacked towns
    Bacon defeats Berkeley's army
    Bacon's supporters executed after he died of dysentery
    effects:
    showed war between classes (poor vs. wealthy planters)
    ppl afraid of rebellion, sped up transition from indentured servants to slaces
  • Pope's Rebellion/Pueblo's Revolt

    Pueblos revolt against attacks on their religion
    kill priests destroy Catholic missions
    Spain lost control of New Mexico for about 50 years
  • King Charles II grants land of Pennsylvania to William Penn

    Quaker
    granted as repayment for debts
    PA create as haven for persecuted people and to experiment w/ a more liberal government
    advertised broadly for settler
    paid indians for land for Philadelphia - good relations
    religious tolerance - non-quakers also go to PA
    quakers refused to fight
  • Powhatan people considered extinct

    not united disease destroyed communities
  • Dominion of New England created

    NY, NJ, New England colonies to royal colony
    created by King James II
    Angered colonists because London imposed Dominion on them
    to faciliate defense and enforcement of law (e.g. Navigation Laws)
    Governor: Sir Edmund Andres)
    Bans all colonial assemblies, limits town hall meetings, courts, press, and schools
    andros lost all support when he tried to stop smuggling
    ended w/ Glorious Revolution
  • Period: to

    Dominion of New England

    see the Dominion of New England created event for notes
  • Glorious Revolution ended Dominion of New England

  • Period: to

    King William's War/War of the League of Augsburg (First Imperial War)

    British fail to capture Quebec and American Indians french burned British settlements
  • New royal charter allowed all male property owners to vote

    no longer just puritans
    new England colonies
  • Salem Witch Trials

    Halfway Covenant increased number influence of women in church - accusations of witchcraft
    frequently property owning women/older single women
    most accusers were from subsistence farmers
  • Board of Trade Established

    Privy Council: responsible for governing colonies
    Board of Trade: had decision making power about America
    only concerned w/ economic issues favored using military to collect taxes
    army needed in america because too many threats large territory
    military in america were protected jobs in London
  • royal monopoly on slave trade & allowing slaves into market

  • Period: to

    Colonies in 1700s typically relied on tobacco and rice

  • Period: to

    Planters become businessmen

    1700s - not exact date
    developed wealth estates
    gained economic political control
    smaller yeoman farmers were largest group (modest income; not peasants but not elites)
    planters reduced taxes, encourage slave ownership to reduce uprsigins against planter class
    few cities limited professionals
  • Beginning of Queen Anne's War/War of Spanish Succession (Imperial Wars)

    Between England France native allies
  • Period: to

    Queen Anne's War/War of Spanish Succession (Second Imperial War)

    Between England France native allies Ended with Treaty of Utrecht:
    Britain gains Nova Scotia, Hudson Bay, and Newfoundland
    Britain gets trading rights with Spanish America
    weakened French influence in Northern America
  • Delaware breaks from Pennsylvania

    part of middle colonies
  • Carolinas split

    into north and south carolina
    north: discontented Viriginians (independent rebellious)
    south: aristocratic, wealthy, plantation driven
  • Treaty of Utrecht

    End of Queen Anne's War/War of Spanish Succession (Imperial Wars)
    Britain gains Nova Scotia, Hudson Bay, and Newfoundland
    Britain gets trading rights with Spanish America
    weakened French influence in Northern America
  • Americans trading mostly with French colonies for sugar and molasses

    by 1720s (not exact date)
  • Carolinas become royal colonies

  • More stuff on great Awakening

    need of individual experiences lessened value of church organization
    1st spontaneous mass movement of Americans
    some leave Congregationalist for Baptist church bc oppose old lights
    increased democratic spirit
  • Period: to

    The Great Awakening

    1730s-1740s (not exact date)
    Congregationalist: MA, CT, NH
    Anglican: NY, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA
    ministers addressed sinful lives politics in sermons
    religious revivalism
    Pietism - German religious movement that emphasized pious (very religious) behavior vivid words speeches led by George Whitefield
    New Lights: supported Awakening
    Old Lights: supported traditional
    (see more on other event)
  • Molasses Act

    "Sugar Lobby" of British west indian members of Parliament had Molasses Act passed to restrict trade between American colonies French West Indies
    tax designated to make British molasses cheaper than french
    would hurt american economy standard of living
    led to smuggling, briberym breaking the law
    salutary neglect: Britain did not enforce the law
    Only enforced after French Indian War to pay debt
  • Zenger Trial

    John Peter Zenger arrested for libel (written criticizing other ppl)
    Jury ruled in favor of Zenger (even though judge told them not to)
    established precedent of free press (truth against libel; allowed Americans to criticize government)
  • Georgia founded

    by James Oglethorpe
    created as a place to send criminals, runks, idle poor from england
    barrier to protect SC from Spanish Florida
    allows all religions except Catholics
    mismanagement -- prohibit alchohol, no ownership of land, no slaces, no self government
    did not prosper because constant threat of spanish attack
  • Stono Rebellion

    South Carolina
    largest slave revolt in history
    Catholic governor of Spanish Florida offered freedom to slaves
    many fled joined Spain when it fought england in 1739
    Effect: slaves treated harder strengthened slave codes
  • Period: to

    War of Jenkins' Ear

    Spanish guy cuts of Jenkin's year he pickles it and brings it to Britain and everyone is mad
    Becomes King George's War
  • New Englanders Capture French Fort Louisburg

    In King George's War during Imperial Wars
  • Period: to

    King George's War (Third Imperial War)

    Began as War of Jenkins' Ear
    James Oglethorpe led a colonial army that repulsed Spanish attacks. New Englanders captured Louisburg in Canada, a major French fortress on Cape Breton Island that controlled access to the St. Lawrence River.
    Ended with Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle
    English Exchange Louisburg for Madras in India (colonists mad because they needed it for protection)
  • Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle

    English exchange Louisburg of Madras in India
    Americans angry because they needed Louisburg for protection
  • Majority of Chesapeake, VA, and SC were slaves

  • Americans begin settling in Ohio River Valley

    Angered Iroquois; Americans ask British for forts to protect claims
  • Currency Act

    prohibited New England colonies from issuing paper money
    Americans were running out of bullion for money
    Americans thought it protected British merchants at the cost of American colonies
  • Washington tries to get French to leave Ohio River Valley

    French refuse defeat Washington at Fort Necessity
  • Albany Congress

    Americans went to Albany to meet w/Iroquois keep them allies
    7 out of 13 colonies attended
    wanted to unite colonies against the French
    Benjamin Franklin developed the Albany Plan for Union:
    Grand council chosen by colonial legislatures; meet once a year; raise army levy taxes, manage public laws, maek laws for general good, protect relations w/indians
    -Rejected: colonies wanted more independence not lose power, king feared colonies become too strong independent
  • Period: to

    French and Indian War

    war between France and England for control of the world
    French army focused on Europe - allowed British victory in N. America
    Colonies not united so harder to defend
    Effects:
    Americans gain experience
    British Empire stretched India - Mississippi
    American officers soldiers insulted treated w/ condescension; not given credit for helping w/ fight
    British frustrated bc americans continue trade w. France Spain, Americans reluctant to provide for British soliders, no inter-colonial cooperation
  • Battle of the Monongahela (at Fort Duquesne)

    Battle of the Monongahela (at Fort Duquesne)

    French and Indian War
    British general Braddock sends 1,850 soldiers to attack fort
    indians used guerilla warfare tactics (british unprepared die in large numbers)
    Native Americans raid frontier from PA to NC
  • British attack severel wilderness forts, French win repeatedly

    through 1756
  • Period: to

    Seven Years' War

    War between France and England for control of the World
    American, Europe, West Indies, Philippines, Africa, Indies
    French army focused on Europe - allowed British victory in N. America
    Colonies not united so harder to defend
  • Battle of Fort Duquesne & Battle of Fort Frontenac

    Battle of Fort Duquesne & Battle of Fort Frontenac

    French and Indian War
    British take Louisbourg Fort Frontenac, Fort Duquesne
  • Wolfe's attack on Quebec

    French and Indian War
    British general James Wolfe attacked via st. Lawrence River
    British forces defeat French
    British Navy stoppped French reinforcements from arriving in Canada
  • Montreal (French and Indian War)

    French and Indian War
    The British attacked via the Hudson River Lake Champlain
    fall of Montreal signaled end of French presence in North America
  • Treaty of Paris (1763)

    Ended the French and Indian War
    France gave England all of Canada lands east of Mississippi - Appalachian mountains; keep Louisiana via secret treaty w/ Spain (gave to spain then take back)
    french kept sugar isalnds (Martinigle and Guadaloupe) in West Indies for Canada
    Spain gave Florida to Britain in exhcnage for Cuba
  • British North America (1763)

    Canada, American Colonies, Ohio Mississippi River Valleys, Florida
    200,000 natives lived in territory west of Appalacian Mountains
    Neolin: Delaware prophet who encouraged Indians to resist English encroachemnt on Indian land (from Algonquin)
  • Proclamation of 1763

    Britain orders no settlemtnt in new territory west of the Appalachian mountains - barrier between indians english colonies
    to keep peace w/ indians
    colonies mad because they need land for wealth farming; politcal rights tied to land owenership
    many americans ignored this
  • Currency Act extended to all colonies

    British asserting dominance over colonies
    prohibits colonies from using paper money
  • Revenue Act of 1764 / Sugar Act

    indirect tax
    reduced duty put in place in Molasses Act of 1733
    plan was to reduce tax but enforce it
    first tax created by Parliament to bring money directly to the crown
    admiralty courts established/extended - presumption of guilt (guilty until proven innocent); no jury, royally appointed judges Americans angry - thought this favored British West Indies
    many royal navy officers not convicted even if they broke law
    Americans explore nature of rights w/ regard to Britain
  • St. John Incident

    Response to Sugar Act
    People accused of impressment (forcing people into navy) stealing
    St. John was a ship to catch smugglers
    Townspeople took a fort and started bombing the ship when it tried to leave
  • Polly Incident

    Response to Sugar Act
    A ship (Polly) had 2x more molasses than recorde
    John Robinson tries to get people to seize it, others secretly remove extra molasses sink the ship
  • Quartering Act

    required housing of soldiers in vacant homes/taverns provide provisions for housing in response to Sugar Act protests
    Americans argued military want needed because French Indians were defeated
    Whigs believed purpose was for British to take American liberty (they also thought powerful people can encroach on powers of elected assemblies)
  • Stamp Act Congress

    9 of 13 colonies (MA, CT, RI, NJ, NY, PA, DE, MD, SC) sent representatives to New York
    Demand repeal of sugar and stamp acts
    protested increased power of admiralty courts
    significant step toward unifying colonies
  • First Nonimportation Agreement

    in response to Stamp Act nonimportation Agreements (in general):
    colonists boycotted British goods (Britain gets les money)
    allowed all citizens to participate in protest
    increased public awareness anger
  • Marquis de Rockingham (Charles Watson-Wentworth) replaces Grenville as Prime Minister

  • Stamp Act

    tax paid on all pieces of paper (playing cards, legal documents, marriage licenses, etc.)
    first direct tax on colonies?
    later repealed to fund presence in N. America
    impacted all social groups
    needed stamp to prove tax was paid could be fined/jailed for refusing to pay tax
    Lower than similar tax in Britain
    Americans protests - Virginia Resolves, Stamp Act Congress, Nonimportation Agreements, Sons of Liberty
    argued americans dont get representation in Parliament
    see other event for more info
  • more about Stamp Act

    Americans say Stamp Act = attack on rights
    argued poor disproportionally affected british say that price of protection was obedience
    virtual representation: every member of Parliament represents all British citizens
    Grenville links legislative taxing authority - force colonists to dispute authority of Parliament Benjamin Franklin warned House of Commons taxes - rebellion (said colonists dont mind external tax)
  • Virginia Resolves

    House of Burgesses was first to argue Parliament had no right to tax colonies under British constitution
    was sent to other colonies to "peer pressure" them to respond in kind
  • Declaratory Act

    Proclaimed Parliament's right to make laws binding "in all cases" whatsoever for colonies (to pass taxes in the future)
    Most British did not believe in ideological arguments of Americans, assumed they just didn't want to pay tax
  • William Pitt (Earl of Chatham) replaces Rockingham as Prime Minister

    Made Charles Townshend the Chancellor of Exchequer (treasury guy)
    made series of export taxes collectively known as Townshend Acts
    estimated taxes: £40,000
  • Stamp Act repealed (colonists recieve word)

    every colony except Virginia passed resolutions thanking the King
  • Response to Townshend Acts

    Smuggling became widespread
    John Dickinson wrote Letters From a Farmer in Pennsylvania: argued Britain could regulate but not tax colonies, Townshend Acts violate American Constitutional rights
    Circular Letter: Samuel Adams James Otis spread ideological argumetn against Townshend Acts ensure coordinated plan (authorized by MA legislature)
  • Townshend Acts

    Series of export taxes:
    Revenue Act - tax on imported lead, glass, paint, tea; external taxes so americans should agree
    Commission of Customs Act - established American Board of Customs Commission, reorganized customs service for collective tax
    Suspending Act - ordered NY governor to veto New York Assembly until NY obeyed Quartering act
    Response: Smuggling, Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, Circular Letter (see another event for details)
  • Spain begins establishing missions throughout California

    by Father Serra Franciscan friars
    Spanish
  • Boston Massacre

    Britain send troops to America in response for protests (resented), stole jobs from Americans
    Colonists harass British soldiers
    British shoot into crowd kill 5 people (Crispus Atticus, man of mixed heritage, first killed)
    Sam Adams described it as a massacre by bloodthirsty soldiers
    John Adams defended soldiers during trial and they were acquitted of murder
  • Lord North becomes Prime Minister & Townshend Acts Repealed

    repeals Townshend acts but kept 3 pence tax on tea to prove Britain could taxc colonists
  • Committee of Correspondence

    Organized by Samuel Adams (MA)
    created to keep communication between colonies about British actions
    increase cooperation between colonies
    mobilized "common" people
  • Tea Act

    British East India Company going bankrupt, so given monopoly on American tea trade by Britain
    made tea cheaper than ever, even w/ tax
    Americans believed this was a plot to drive companies out of business trick Americans into paying tax
    tea symbolized British tyranny Impact:
    lead to Boston Tea Party
    Americans stopped tea shipments in many colonies
    Governor Hutchinson not intimiadated - disagree w/tax but tolerate violation of liberties for law
  • Boston Tea Party

    colonists disguised as Indians boarded Boston ships threw tea into harbor
    hardened British resolve to establish legislative dominance over colonies
  • First Continental Congress (9/5-10/26) 1774

    12 colonies (all but Georgia) sent 56 delegates to Philadelphia
    discuss response to British activities
    Radicals: Patrick Henry, Sam Adams
    Declaration of Rights and Grievances: Argued colonists can only be taxed by their own assemblies (Ignored by British - pushed Americans from reconciliation to rebellion)
  • Quebec Act

    extended Quebec's border to Ohio River
    Quebec had no representative assembly special rights to Catholic church
    intended by British to integrate French Canadians into British Empire
    Americans saw it as extension of Coercive Acts limit on American liberties
  • Intolerable (Coercive) Acts

    Punish Boston after Boston Tea Party
    Boston Port Act: closed port until British East India Company tea paid for
    Massachusetts Government Act: banned town meetings, reduced power of colonial legislature, most government positions to be appointed by king/royal governor
    Administration of Justice Act: royal officials soldiers would be tried in England for crimes (many not punished)
    Quartering Act expanded to private/public buildings May include Quebec Act
  • Period: to

    First Continental Congress

    12 colonies (all but Georgia) sent 56 delegates to Philadelphia
    discuss response to British activities
    Radicals: Patrick Henry, Sam Adams
    Declaration of Rights and Grievances: Argued colonists can only be taxed by their own assemblies (Ignored by British - pushed Americans from reconciliation to rebellion)
  • Population in Colonies grew to 1.5 million

    by 1775
    mostly from natural fertility of americans
    most populated colonies were VA, PA, MA (had slaves ports)
  • American Army Established

    June 1775
  • Second Continental Congress

    After Lexington Concord
    All 13 colonies present in Philadelphia (unified)
    no demand for independence
    demanded their rights, accept legislation but not tax
    Established army (June 1775) and Navy (Oct. 1775)
    George Washington named Chief of Continental Army (Southern, white, respected, wealthy)
  • Fort Ticonderoga (May 1775)

    Fort Ticonderoga (May 1775)

    May 1775
    American troops captured the fort its cannons and gunpowder
    brought cannons to Boston
  • Invasion of Canada (Fall 1775)

    Americans believe French Canadians would jump to American side
    French Canadians do not (things like Quebec Act benefit them and colonies are primarily anti-Catholic)
  • Battles of Lexington and Concord

    Battles of Lexington and Concord

    April 1775
    British troops want to destroy military supplies at Concord
    Lexington: On the way to Concord
    70 minutemen tried to stop 700 British, 8 Americans killed
    "The shot heard around the world"
    Concord:
    British met by larger foce that made them retreat
    Colonial militia used guerilla tactics to attact British army from woods as they retreated to Boston
    300 British casualties
  • American Navy Established

    October 1775
  • Olive Branch Petition (June 1775)

    Second Continental Congress
    Sent to King asking him to stop Parliament's actions stated American loyalty to the British
    August 1775: King refused declared colonists in open rebellion, therefore guilty of treason
  • King refuses Olive Branch Petition (August 1775)

    Second Continental Congress
    Sent to King asking him to stop Parliament's actions stated American loyalty to the British
    August 1775: King refused declared colonists in open rebellion, therefore guilty of treason
  • Paul Revere's Ride

    Paul Revere's Ride

    Massachusetts began collecting military supplies at Concord, Britain decided to destroy supply
    Planned to arrest Sam Adams John Hancock
    Paul Revere and William Daves warn of British movement to countryside
  • Battle of Bunker (Breed's) Hill

    British attacked fort
    1000 Birtish killed, proved American army could stand up to British (boosted morale)
    3 skirmishes – first 2 American victory, last 1 British victory
  • Period: to

    Northern Phase of Revolution

    fighting mostly in North
    at first British won
    when British started failing, they shifted focus to South because South had more loyalists
  • Common Sense written

    by Thomas Paine
    called for independence, make republic where people rule for themselves
    extremely popular, distributed to soldiers, written in understandable language
    Ideals of Republicanism (not republican party): power of king should be restricted
    colonists were receptive: angry at King's treatment, Experience with colonial assemblies, town meetings, churches, social mobility
  • British Flee Boston

    Washington puts cannons from Ticonderoga on Dorchester Heights
    Forced British General Howe to abandon Boston
  • Richard Henry Lee proposes resolution for Independence

  • Declaration of Independence passed

    Congress decides formal statement of the reasons for independence
    starts with saying tyrannical ruler - overthrow
    Thomas Jefferson was primary writer: tried to state what everybody believes, phrases from British legal history like 'natural rights', explained why people rebel in general, gave long list for why America rebels, conclude by saying America did everything it could to avoid this
    ignored Parliament, focused on King
  • Battle of Trenton

    Battle of Trenton

    New Jersey
    Washington surprised and defeated Hessians
    Morale boost, soldiers inspired to re-enlist encouraged enlistment
    helped save the revolution
  • Washington Crosses the Delaware

    Washington needed victory before troops enlistment ends at 12/31
    needed to restore faith of troops
    leads to Battle of Trenton
  • Some stuff about patriots

    Patriots:
    minority of ppl who supported revolution
    Militia controlled country areas places British lacked authority
    educated people about necessity of their cause
    Most were New England/Backcountry areas
    Younger generations
    Presbyterians Congregationalists
  • some stuff about loyalists

    Loyalists:
    aka Tories
    older generation
    ~16% of popultation (wealthy/government/royal/businessmen) - wanted to keep system that made them rich
    Believed they would be rewarded once King won war
    more in South, NYC, Charleston, NJ, PA
    Anglicans
    80,000 leave, property confiscated why they left
  • Burgoyne's March on Albany

    Burgoyne's March on Albany

    June-Oct 1777
    Purpose was to isolate New England colonies from rest of colonies
    Benedict Arnold stopped one part of Burgoyne's army
    Burgoyne's army surrounded defeated by General Horatio gates at Saratoga (North of Albany)
  • Battle of Princeton

    Battle of Princeton

    Washington forced Britain to retreat from New Jersey
    Victories increased enlistment morale
    helped save the revolution
  • Battle of Saratoga

    Battle of Saratoga

    Burgoyne's army surrounded defeated by General Horatio Gates at Saratoga (North of Albany)
    considered turning point for the war
    convinced French to join American side
  • Period: to

    Valley Forge

    Continental Army spend winter at Valley Forge
    disease, starvation, exposure killed many
    Washington heard of victory at Saratoga
    Baron Von Steuben (Prussian) drill train American soldiers into professional army
  • France and America sign treaty of Alliance

    French inspired by victory at Saratoga
    France didn't want negotiated solution to conflict that left Britain North America Military alliance
    offered formal recognition of American Independence
    Transform American Revolution to World War improved chances of American victory
    Spain and Netherland (Holland) join on side of America
  • Period: to

    Southern Phase of Revolution

    British decide to move to South, believed more loyalists would support British
    Fewer battles, slower pace
    fighting better – neighbors family fought against each other
    Georgia and Charleston conquered by British
    Turning tide: Battle of Cowpens (Jan 1780), Kings Mountain (Oct 1780)– American victories from the South Economic impact of war:
    hyperinflation from reduction in trade from paper money
    continentals: form of currency (became almost worthless)
  • Battle of Cowpens

    Battle of Cowpens

    American victory
    turning tide of war
  • Battle of Kings Mountain

    Battle of Kings Mountain

    American victory
    turning tide of war
  • Battle of Yorktown End

    Battle of Yorktown End

    Sep 28 to Oct 19
    Marquis de Lafayette forced British led by Cornwallis toward Yorktown VA
    Cornwallis thought he would get supplies but French Navy blockaded Yorktown by sea
    Americans (Washington) and French (Rochambeu) attack Cornwallis
    Cornwallis forced to surrender
    effectively ended the war, but Washington had to keep army in field to ensure adequate peace
  • Treaty of Paris 1783 signed

    British defeats led to collapse of Tory government rise of pro-American Whigs government
    American delegates: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay
    France wanted America weak so it could be controlled
    Jay secretly contacted British to arrange peace treaty
    signed by Britain, France, United States
  • Effects of Treaty of Paris 1783

    Effects:
    England recognizes US independence
    US boundaries set at Mississippi River (trading access)
    Americans could fish off Canada
    Americans should pay debts owed to Britain
    Congress agreed to recommend returning Loyalist property