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French and Indian War begins
The French and Indian War was a conflict between the French and British that mainly occured because of disputes over territory in North America. This war has been called the first real "world war", because conflict spread to more than just one continenent and it involved the majority of powers in the world.
More information at: http://wars.findthedata.org/l/2/French-and-Indian-War -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris is the document that officialy ended the Seven Years War between England and France. This treaty basically gave the English territories between the Appalachian Mountains and Mississippi River, and took all French territory in mainland North America.
Websites for more info: http://www.ushistory.org/us/8d.asp
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/paris763.asp (a copy of the treaty) -
The Royal Proclamation
King George III issued this proclamation stating that the British colonists were not allowed to settle in the areas beyond the Appalachians that were won at the end of the French and Indian War. This descision was made to avoid conflict with the Amerindians in the area, but it angered the colonists that they could not live on the land they fought for.
Websites for more info: http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/ask-a-historian/25374
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/proc1763.asp -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act put taxes on items such as sugar, wine, coffee, cloth, and other important items for the colonists. The king passed this act to fund protection for the colonies, but it only caused unrest and people to get upset. This caused many boycotts of British goods.
Website with more info: http://ahp.gatech.edu/sugar_act_bp_1764.html -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was another tax system, that made colonists pay taxes on all items made of paper; legal documents, liscenses, birth certificates, newspapers, and even playing cards. This money went towards defending the frontier near the Appalachian Mountains. Just like the Sugar Act, these taxes did not go over well with the colonists.
Website with more info: http://www.history.org/history/teaching/tchcrsta.cfm -
The Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress was held in New York City. It was attended by twenty seven respresentatives from all of the colonies. At first, the Congress was taken as a joke, but it's growing influence raised defiance of the British crown. In the end, they were able to repeal the Stamp Act, and brought unity to the colonies.
Website with more info: http://www.ushistory.org/us/10a.asp -
The Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were a series of taxes placed on glass, lead, paper, oil, paints, and teas. Just as with the other tax acts, the colonists resisted the taxes, and all of them were eventually repealed except for the tax on tea.
Website with more info: http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/townshend.htm -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was the shooting of five American colonists by British soldiers on the morning of March 5th. Because of differing points of view and propaganda, little is known about what actually happened, and if the British soldiers were provoked before attacking.
Website with more info: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-boston-massacre -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was the rebellious colonist response to the British government passing the Tea Act. American patriots, in a group called the Sons of Liberty, boarded British tea ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor, in the end costing East Indian tea company 15,000 lbs of tea.
Website with more info: http://www.boston-tea-party.org/in-depth.html -
First Continental Congress
In response to the many punishments placed upon the colonies by the British, fifty-five delegates from twelves colonies (Georgia didn't participate) met in Philadelphia to discuss the issues they were having with British leadership and what they could do to resolve these issues.
Website with more info: http://www.usfca.edu/fac_staff/conwell/revolution/congress.htm -
Patrick Henry- "Give me Liberty!"
Patrick Henry was giving a speech to the Virginia Convention during a political meeting. While addressing the president of this group, Henry voiced the immortal line, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" These words captured the spirit of the revolution, and the willingess and commitment Patrick Henry devoted towards this cause.
Websites with more information: http://www.history.org/almanack/life/politics/giveme.cfm
http://www.landofthebrave.info/give-me-liberty.htm -
Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
Paul Revere was sent to warn John Hancock and Sam Adams , the leaders of the patriot group "The Sons of Liberty", about English preparations for battle. He was joined by William Dawes and Samuel Prescott, and they rode the distance from Boston to Concord, shouting to warn all the colonists.
Website with more info: http://ahp.gatech.edu/midnight_ride_1775.html -
Battles at Lexington and Concord
Thanks to the efforts of Dawes, Prescott, and Revere, the colonial militia was ready for a British attack. The leaders of both armies wanted the forces to disperse, but a shot rang out and fighting began. The British continued to march on, only to continuously be defeated by the prepared militia units. In the end, there were 300 redcoat casulaties, and fewer than 100 colonist casualties.
Website with more info: http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/boflandc.htm -
Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga was claimed by the British in the French and Indian War, and on this date it was captured by the colonists. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, along with Benedict Arnold, were the ones to take hold of the fort, apparently delaying an English invasion from Canada.
Websites with more info: http://www.revolutionary-war.net/fort-ticonderoga.html and http://www.fortticonderoga.org/story/military -
Second Continental Congress meets
The second Continental Congress was formed to organize the business of the revolution and act much more like a governing body; forming an army to fight the British, sending ambassadors to foreign countries, printing its own money, and getting loans. Unlike the first Continental Congress, all thirteen colonies were represented.
Website with more info: http://www.ushistory.org/us/10e.asp -
Battle of Bunker Hill
There were many hills surrounding Boston, and this worried the British. They planned to capture this set of hills, but the militia found out about these plans and prepared for conflict. At the end of the battle the British won a pyrrhic victory, because of the colonist's retreat after being overwhelmed by the British forces.
Websites with more info: http://www.masshist.org/revolution/bunkerhill.php and http://www.ushistory.org/us/11d.asp -
"Common Sense" published
"Common Sense" is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, in which he strongly encourages colonists to support the movement for independence. This pamphlet was so effective because it was accessible to all readers, from all walks of life. It is considered one of the most influential documents in American history because of its strong impact on the revolution.
Website with more info: http://www.constitution.org/tp/comsense.htm -
British evacuate Boston
The cannons from Fort Ticonderoga were dragged to Dorcester Heights over the winter of 1775 to 1776. These cannons posed a huge threat to the British, and 11,000 of them eventually fled to Nova Scotia. This is when the second Continental Congress saw their opportunity to finally declare independence.
Website with more info: http://www.masshist.org/online/siege/index.php -
Declaration of Independence announced
The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence took place on this day. The Liberty Bell rang out on this day to announce this memorable event, though the Declaration of Independence had been signed four days earlier. This was the true time that the colonies separating themselves from Britain became a reality.
Website with more info: http://www.ushistory.org/gop/tour_indhall.htm -
"The Crisis" published
"The Crisis" was a series of pamphlets written by Thomas Paine, the same man who wrote "Common Sense." In this series, written from 1776 to 1783, Paine admits that things aren't going incredibly well for the patriots, and that they need all the help from their fellow colonists that they can get. Again, these writings rallied the colonists to support the cause of independence.
Website with more info: http://www.ushistory.org/paine/crisis/c-01.htm -
Washington captures Trenton
Because of low army enlistment, Washington made the descision to cross the Delaware River Christmas night of 1776. The following morning, he attacked and defeated the Hessians and a group of British soldiers, emerging with an astounding victory.
Websites with more info: http://www.ushistory.org/washingtoncrossing/history/crossagain.htm and http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-trenton.htm -
British defeated at Saratoga
This event was considered to be one of the American's first major victories, and provided inspiration and motivation for the battles to come. The victory proved that the Continental army was serious, and strong enough to defeat the highly trained British forces. After hearing about this victory, the French began to recognize the Americans.
Websites with more info: http://www.ushistory.org/us/11g.asp and http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/Saratoga.html -
Winter at Valley Forge, PA
George Washington and the Continental army spent the winter of 1777 to 1778 in Valley Forge, PA, to be trained in the classic European style of warfare. Baron von Steuben was one of their main instructors. After their training, the Continental army was able to show off their greatly improved fighting skills.
Website with more info: http://www.ushistory.org/us/11f.asp -
Benedict Arnold's plans found out
On this day, Benedict Arnold is charged with thirteen counts of misbehavior, including misusing government wagons and illegally buying and selling goods. This former American general was trusted by all, until he and John Andre were found assisting the British seize West Point in 1780. After facing these charges, Arnold escaped to the British side, and dies in London later on.
Website with more info: http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/arnold.html -
John Paul Jones defeats the Serapis
Captain Jones was in command of the ship 'Bonhomme Richard' when he began combat with the British ship 'Serapis'. Though the 'Serapis' was larger than Jones' ship, he put up the most remarkable at-sea fight of the revolution, defeating the 'Serapis' but sinking his own ship in the process.
Websites for more info: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/John_Paul_Jones#Bonhomme_Richard_and_Seraphis and http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/johnpauljones.htm -
Cornwallis Surrenders
This was the official end of the Revolutionary War: the British troops, led by General Cornwallis, surrendered at Yorktown, VA because they had not only lost a battle, but were also facing disease, lack of supplies, inclement weather, and a failed evacuation. From this point on, all fighting ceased. The Americans were victorious!
Website with more info: http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/war-for-independence/resources/surrender-british-general-cornwallis-americans-october
