| February 10, 1763 |
Treaty of Paris ends Seven Years' War |
Britain gains vast North American territories from France and Spain but is left with significant war debt. This marks the beginning of increased British attempts to control and tax the colonies. |
| April 5, 1764 |
Sugar Act |
The British Parliament passes the Sugar Act, reducing the tax on molasses but increasing enforcement and expanding taxable items. This act aims to raise revenue from the colonies to help pay off war debts. |
| March 22, 1765 |
Stamp Act |
Parliament imposes a direct tax on printed materials in the colonies, including legal documents, newspapers, and playing cards. This is the first direct tax on internal colonial activities and causes widespread protest. |
| March 24, 1765 |
Quartering Act |
Requires colonies to provide housing, food, and drink to British soldiers. This act is seen as an attempt to intimidate colonists and is particularly resented in New York. |
| May 29, 1765 |
Virginia Resolves |
Patrick Henry presents resolutions to the Virginia House of Burgesses, asserting that only the Virginia assembly can tax Virginia residents. This bold stance inspires other colonies to pass similar resolutions. |
| October 7-25, 1765 |
Stamp Act Congress |
Representatives from nine colonies meet in New York to coordinate protest against the Stamp Act. They produce a declaration of rights and grievances, marking a significant step towards colonial unity. |
| March 18, 1766 |
Stamp Act repealed, Declaratory Act passed |
Parliament repeals the Stamp Act due to colonial protests and boycotts. However, it simultaneously passes the Declaratory Act, asserting its right to tax the colonies "in all cases whatsoever." |
| June 29, 1767 |
Townshend Acts |
Charles Townshend, British Chancellor of the Exchequer, proposes new taxes on imports including tea, paper, glass, and lead. The acts also establish new customs boards and allow admiralty courts to try smugglers. |
| October 1, 1768 |
British troops arrive in Boston |
Two regiments of British soldiers (around 1,000 men) arrive in Boston to enforce compliance with new taxes and control growing unrest. Their presence increases tensions between colonists and British authorities. |
| March 5, 1770 |
Boston Massacre |
British soldiers fire on a crowd of protestors, killing five colonists including Crispus Attucks. The event is widely publicized by colonial leaders and becomes a rallying point for anti-British sentiment. |
| May 10, 1773 |
Tea Act |
Gives the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies. While actually lowering the price of tea, it threatens colonial merchants and is seen as another attempt to enforce British authority over the colonies. |
| December 16, 1773 |
Boston Tea Party |
Colonists, some disguised as Native Americans, dump 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor. This act of defiance against British taxation leads to punitive measures by the British government. |
| March-June 1774 |
Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts) |
British Parliament passes a series of punitive laws against Massachusetts in response to the Boston Tea Party. These include closing Boston Harbor, restricting town meetings, and expanding the Quartering Act. |
| September 5 - October 26, 1774 |
First Continental Congress meets |
Delegates from 12 colonies (Georgia abstains) meet in Philadelphia to discuss a unified approach to British policies. They agree to boycott British goods and petition the King for redress of grievances. |
| April 19, 1775 |
Battles of Lexington and Concord |
British troops march to seize colonial weapons stores, leading to armed confrontation with militia. These skirmishes mark the beginning of open armed conflict in the American Revolution. |
| May 10, 1775 |
Second Continental Congress convenes |
As fighting spreads, the Congress assumes the role of a national government. They establish the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, appointing George Washington as Commander-in-Chief. |
| June 17, 1775 |
Battle of Bunker Hill |
Major battle near Boston; British forces dislodge colonial militia from Breed's Hill and Bunker Hill but suffer heavy casualties. The battle proves that colonial forces can stand against British regulars. |
| July 5, 1775 |
Olive Branch Petition |
Congress makes a final attempt to avoid war, sending a petition to King George III professing loyalty and asking for redress of grievances. The King refuses to receive it, instead declaring the colonies in rebellion on August 23. |
| March 17, 1776 |
British evacuate Boston |
After months of siege, Washington's troops force British forces under General Howe to leave Boston. This significant victory boosts colonial morale and earns Washington respect as a military leader. |
| July 2, 1776 |
Lee Resolution passed |
The Continental Congress votes for independence based on Richard Henry Lee's resolution. This vote marks the colonies' official decision to separate from Britain. |
| July 4, 1776 |
Declaration of Independence adopted |
Congress formally adopts the Declaration of Independence, primarily written by Thomas Jefferson. The document outlines the philosophical and political justifications for separating from British rule. |
| August 27-30, 1776 |
Battle of Long Island (Brooklyn) |
British forces under General Howe defeat Washington's army in New York. Washington manages a skillful retreat, saving his army from destruction, but the British take control of New York City. |
| December 25-26, 1776 |
Washington crosses the Delaware |
After a series of defeats, Washington leads a surprise attack on Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey. This victory reinvigorates the colonial cause and boosts morale. |
| September 11, 1777 |
Battle of Brandywine |
British forces under Howe defeat Washington's army, opening the way to capture Philadelphia. Congress evacuates the city, which the British occupy on September 26. |
| October 17, 1777 |
British surrender at Saratoga |
American forces under Horatio Gates defeat British General Burgoyne in upstate New York. This major victory convinces France to openly ally with the United States. |
| February 6, 1778 |
Franco-American Alliance signed |
France officially recognizes the United States and signs treaties of alliance and commerce. This marks a turning point in the war, as French military and naval support become crucial to the American cause. |
| June 18, 1778 |
British evacuate Philadelphia |
British forces under General Clinton abandon Philadelphia and begin a retreat to New York, harassed by Washington's forces at the Battle of Monmouth on June 28. |
| September 25, 1780 |
Benedict Arnold's treason discovered |
Arnold's plot to surrender West Point to the British is uncovered. His defection to the British side shocks the Americans and becomes synonymous with treason in American culture. |
| October 19, 1781 |
Siege of Yorktown |
Combined American and French forces trap British General Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. Cornwallis surrenders, effectively ending major combat operations in North America. |
| April 19, 1783 |
Congress ratifies preliminary peace treaty |
The Continental Congress ratifies the preliminary articles of peace negotiated in Paris. |
| September 3, 1783 |
Treaty of Paris signed |
The final peace treaty is signed in Paris, with Britain formally recognizing American independence and establishing boundaries of the new nation. |
| January 14, 1784 |
Congress ratifies Treaty of Paris |
The Treaty of Paris is formally ratified by Congress, officially ending the American Revolutionary War. |
| June 21, 1788 |
U.S. Constitution ratified |
New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, ensuring its adoption. This marks the beginning of the new federal government of the United States. |
