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George III becomes king of England

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The Stamp Act

A direct tax on paper goods, such as legal documents, newspapers, pamphlets, almanacs, even playing cards.

Sons of Liberty form - Samuel Adams as one of the first members. (see video on module 3, lesson 1, the colonies organize...)

After much protesting and harassment of British officials, the Stamp Act did not come into effect.

Many colonial assemblies decide that they are the only ones with the authority to tax their citizens (and not Britain, which did not allow for Colonial representation in Parliament).

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Townshend Acts

Indirect taxes on imports coming from Britain, such as tea, glass, lead, paint, and paper. Suggested by Charles Townshend, from the British Parliament.

Colonists protest "taxation without representation" and organize boycotting of British goods.

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Redcoats in Boston

British officials seized the Liberty, a ship belonging to powerful merchant John Hancock, for smuggling wine into the colonies without paying taxes.

After Colonists riot in protest, Britain stations 2,000 redcoats (British soldiers) in Boston.

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Boston Massacre

After a fight over job disputes between colonists and British officials, a mob gathers outside the Boston Customs House on March 5. Shots are fired on both sides and five colonists are killed.

Samuel Adams and other colonial agitators call it the "Boston Massacre", to inspire anger against Great Britain.

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Boston Tea Party

Nearing bankruptcy over boycotts, the East India Company is given permission by Britain to sell tea directly to colonists, free of tax, thus cutting colonial merchants out of the process.

Disguised as natives, men invade the East India Company ships on December 16 and dump 18,000 pounds of tea into the waters of the harbor.

By then, the Colonies are becoming more and more united, communicating by the committees of correspondence.

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Intolerable Acts

Furious over Tea Party, George III and Parliament pass a series of laws restricting colonial freedoms (shut down Boston Harbor, force colonists to house British soldiers, place British general as governor of Massachusetts, and the colony under martial law).

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First Continental  Congress

Outraged by the Intolerable Acts, the well-organized committees of correspondence quickly organize a convention in Philadelphia.

56 delegates from 12 colonies agree that colonies should run their own affairs and write a declaration of colonial rights.

See video in lesson 1, "tension mounts..."

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Lexington & Concord

The British General Gage, concerned over reports of  Minutemen (colonial soldiers) storing weapons and war supplies outside of Boston, sends troops to Concord by way of Lexington, planning to Seize John Hancock and Samuel Adams, and destroy all supplies.

Paul Revere and others ride in the night to warn that "the redcoats are coming!"

British quickly win against the Minutemen in Lexington and march to Concord to find an empty arsenal. On their journey back to Boston, they were ambushed by around 4,000 Minutemen. Many British soldiers die.

Adams: "I mean, this is a glorious day for America".

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Second Continental Congress

Colonists divide into Loyalists and Patriots. In May, Congress organizes Continental Army and appoint commander George Washington.

In June, Thomas Gage's troops and Minutemen clash at Battle of Bunker Hill, British lose deadliest battle of the war.

In July, Olive Branch Petition is rejected by King George III, who takes it as an act of rebellion and urges Parliament to order naval blockade.

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Declaration of Independence

The pamphlet Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, spreads ideas of revolution to colonists. Inspired by the ideas of John Locke, Thomas Jefferson writes declaration. Delegates vote unanimously that colonies were free. On July 4, Declaration is read aloud to a crowd in Philadelphia (read highlights of document on lesson 2, module 3).

The Liberty Bell is still in Philadelphia, at the Independence Hall (then Pennsylvania State House), and it reads: "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof."

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Defeat & Victory

In New York, George Washington's troops are surrounded by 32,000 men (thousands of Hessians among them). Minutement are pushed into Pennsylvania.

On Christmas night 1776, Minutemen stage surprise attack in Trenton, NJ. Another victory in Princeton encourages Washington's army.

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Saratoga

General Howe begins campaign to seize Philadelphia. Continental Congress flees capital as Washington's troops fails to block advances. The British men settle in Philadelphia, enjoying the hospitality of the Loyalists there.

General Horatio Gates (Minutemen) and John Burgoyne (Redcoats) face off in Saratoga. Important American victory marks the turning point of the war. British troops relocate to the coast.

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Difficulties & Allies

French continue to act as greatest alliance to colonialists and officialy recognizes independence.

Washington's troops spend brutal winter at Valley Forge, PA, waiting for French supplies to arrive.

Back home, women maintained businesses and served the troops, Congress borrowed and printed money, causing inflation, faced profiteering by corrupt merchants,

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The British Move South

Helped by the French (thanks to the diplomatic skills of Benjamin Franklin), Marquis de Lafayette helps lobby for support and Friedrich Von Steuben drills troops into discipline. (see video on module 3, lesson 4, european allies...)

After taking Savannah, Georgia, General George Cornwallis moves south and takes Charles Town, South Carolina. George Washington orders troops to move against him and battles ensue and take toll on both sides.

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The British Surrender at Yorktown

Cornwallis leads his army to Yorktown, a few miles from the original Jamestown settlement, to take Virginia and move north.

American and French troops surround them by land and sea. The siege lasted for three days and ended with British General Cornwallis surrendering. The last battle of the Revolutionary War had ended.

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Treaty of Paris

Peace talks between Britain, Colonies, Spain, and France result in signing of treaty, officializing independence and setting boundaries of the United States of America.

John Adams, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin represented the U.S. in the negotiations and refused to start negotiations before independence was recognized.

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E Pluribus Unum - out of many, one.

Rise of egalitarianism—a belief in the equality of all people (white males), fostering a new attitude: the idea that ability, effort, and virtue, not wealth or family, defined one’s worth.

Republican motherhood encouraged women to raise and educate children in civic responsibilities.

Most African Americans still enslaved, but many in northern states started taking steps towards freeing them.

Native Americans once again suffered and were displaced by expansion of land occupation.

Americans are faced with challenge of creating a government for their new country...