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Treaty of Paris
Ended the French and Indian War between Great Britain and France/ Natives. Britain gained fench territory in North America -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 imposed a tax on printed materials, marking the first internal tax in the colonies. It sparked widespread protests and led to the formation of the Sons of Liberty. -
Boston Massacre
Five colonists were killed by British soldiers, an event that turned many colonists against Britain. -
Boston Tea Party
The Sons of Liberty protested the Tea Act by throwing 18,000 pounds of tea into Boston Harbor, which stained the water brown for five months and killed all the fish. -
Intolerable Acts (Declaratory Acts)
In response to the Boston Tea Party, the British government passed laws that shut down Boston Harbor, enforced the Quartering Act, and placed the city under martial law. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
It was the first battle of the American Revolutionary War, famously called the "shot heard 'round the world." -
Period: to
Second Continental Congress
Congress appointed Washington as the commander of the Continental Army, declared independence, and led the U.S. through the war. -
Thomas Paine's Common Sense Published
A national bestseller, Common Sense persuaded many undecided Americans to support the revolution against Britain. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, declared the 13 American colonies free from British rule. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it outlined the colonists' grievances against King George III and asserted their right to self-govern. The document marked the birth of the United States and is a foundational symbol of American liberty. -
Battle of Trenton
General George Washington's first victory of the war lifted the morale of both the military and the nation. -
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Valley Forge
Washington's military camp, where Prussian drill master Friedrich von Steuben transformed the American troops into a disciplined and effective fighting force.
Winter 1777-78 -
Battle of Saratoga
The Patriots secured another victory, and their success convinced France to join the war in support of the U.S. -
Adoption of the articles of confederation
Important Detal:
The Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1781 as the first constitution of the United States. They established a weak central government, giving the most power to the states. While they helped guide the country during the Revolutionary War, their limitations led to the eventual drafting of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. -
Victory of Yorktown
The Patriots secured a decisive victory at Yorktown, defeating General Cornwallis in the last major battle of the war. This defeat prompted Britain to seek peace and bring an end to the conflict. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris (1783) officially ended the American Revolutionary War. Signed by the United States and Britain, it recognized American independence and established new borders, granting the U.S. significant territory from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River. It also addressed fishing rights and the treatment of Loyalists.