June 19 - July 11, 1754:
The Albany Congress Meets:
- B. Franklin tries to convince
colonists and Iroquois to unite
against British. ‘Join or Die ’
February 10, 1763:
Treaty of Paris of 1763:
-
Ends of French and Indian War
- France leaves North America
April 5, 1764:
The Sugar Act:
-
Nothing new; renewal of Molasses
Act of 1733 that was to expire
October 7, 1763:
Proclamation of 1763
- King George prevents
colonists from moving west
of App. Mts; cites reasons
of safety.
March 22, 1765:
The Stamp Act:
-
August 14, 1765:
The Sons of Liberty create
First serious attempt of Parliament to
first act of open rebellion.
exert authority over colonies
Burn effigy of tax collector,
- Taxes placed on printed “Caesar
documents
had his Brutus, Charles the
First hisOliver.
Andrew
and George
(newspapers, magazines,Cromwell
deeds, wills,
etc) the Third — .” At that point
he was interrupted by cries of “Treason!” from
delegates who easily recognized the reference to
assassinated leaders. Henry paused briefly, then
calmly finished his sentence: “...may profit by their
example. If this be treason, make the most of it.”
March 29, 1765:
Henry: “If this be
treason, make the most
of it”
March 24, 1765:
The Quartering Act:
Colonists must feed, provide shelter
to British soldier when in need
October 7-25, 1765:
Stamp Act Congress meets:
First meeting to organize protest
against crown
Taxes are illegal bc no
representation!
March 18, 1766:
The Declaratory Act:
Declares Parliament has full authority
over the colonies
June 29, 1767:
Townshend Acts
-
Taxed glass, paint, lead, paper, tea
- Took away trial by jury for those
arrested for “smuggling.”
March 5, 1770:
Boston Massacre:
August 1, 1768:
Boston Non-Importation
Agreement:
British soldiers kill five Bostonians
in “self-defense.”
Boston merchants agree to stop
importing goods from Britain
John Adams represents British
soldiers in court.
June 9, 1772:
The Gaspee Affair:
Sons of Liberty members attacked,
boarded, looted, and torched a British
customs ship (Gaspee).
May 10, 1773:
Tea Act:
Sept. 5 – October 26, 1774:
First Continental Congress:
No new taxes! Actually, lowers tax on - Meeting as a result of Intolerable Acts
tea…
- Send petition to King George;
The British East India Company had (many)
Organize Boycotts
pounds of unsold tea...lowering tax lowers
price.
October 24, 1774:
A plan to create colonial government to
Colonists see this as attack on local
work with parliament was rejected by
merchants. . .
FCC (Galloway’s Plan).
March 31, 1774:
The Intolerable Acts:
December 16, 1773:
Boston Tea Party:
Members of Sons of Liberty raid British
tea ship in protest of Tea Act and
B.E.I.C. monopoly on tea sales
- Direct result of Boston Tea Party
- Closed Boston Harbor until tea was paid
for
- MA gov’t and town meetings were
forbidden
- More British troops sent to Boston to
enforce laws.
April 18, 1775:
Paul Revere, William
Dawes, Samuel Prescott,
and over 40 other riders
warn countryside after
local SoL group hears of
British invasion.
April 19, 1775:
June 15, 1775:
Minutemen and redcoats
clash at Lexington and
Concord when soldiers
attempt to seize colonial
armory; the shots heard
‘round the world.
George Washington
appointed Commander
in Chief of Continental
Army
May 10, 1775:
March 23, 1775:
Patrick Henry delivers
famous “give me liberty or
me death speech.”
The Second Continental
Congress meets in
Philadelphia, PA.
The Continental Army is
created…
June 17, 1775:
Battle of Bunker Hill:
Colonists secure early
victory; King George
declares colonies in open
rebellion.
January 15, 1776:
Thomas Paine
publishes “Common
Sense.”
July 1, 1776:
August 27, 1776:
Colonists face attacks
from Cherokee on
southern borders bc
of alliances with
British
Battle of Long Island:
British win, but
Washington’s escape keeps
war alive.
July 4, 1776:
Feb 27, 1776:
The patriots drive
British from Moore's
Creek Bridge, North
Carolina
The Declaration of
Independence (written by
Committee of Five) is
ratified
Complete and permanent
break with Great Britain is
made
December 26, 1776:
Washington
crosses the
Delaware River to
capture Trenton
from German
Hessians (hired
soldiers)
October 17, 1777:
Battle of Saratoga:
Turning point in war –
France decides to join
colonial effort!
December 19, 1777:
Thomas Paine writes “The American Crisis.”
The Winter at ValleyInForge:
the opening sentence, Paine writes . . .
- Starvation, disease, and frostbite kill 3,000 of
Washington’s army.
“These
- Morale is at an all-time
low. are the times that try men’s souls.”
June 21, 1779:
Spain declares war on
Great Britain. Now,
France and Spain are on
the colonists side!
March 2, 1781:
The Articles of Confederation is adopted
by the Second Continental Congress.
This is the first plan of government for the
U.S.
October 19, 1781:
The Battle of Yorktown:
British general Charles Cornwallis
surrenders at Yorktown, VA. He is trapped
by French Navy and Continental Army.
September 3, 1783:
Treaty of Paris, 1783:
- Ends the Revolutionary War
- Britain recognizes American Independence;
removes troops
- Northern border set along Great Lakes