APUSH Unit 3 (1763-1798) Timeline

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1763: Treaty of Paris & Proclamation of 1763

Treaty ended the French and Indian War, giving Britain control of Canada and land east of the Mississippi; the Proclamation barred settlement west of the Appalachians to avoid Native conflict.

1764: Sugar Act

A tax on sugar and molasses meant to raise revenue and reduce smuggling; angered colonists who was it as taxation without representation.

1765: The Stamp Act (and Stamp Act Congress)

Required stamps on printed materials; first direct tax on colonists. The Stamp Act Congress organized colonial resistance and asserted no taxation without representation.

1766: Declaratory Act

Asserted Parliament’s full authority over the colonies in all cases whatsoever after the repeal of the Stamp Act.

1767: Townshend Acts

Taxes on imported goods like tea, glass, and paper to rase revenue and reduce colonial control over officials; led to widespread boycotts.

1770: Boston Massacre

British soldiers fired into a crowd, killing five; patriots used it as propaganda against British rule.

1774: Boston Tea Party and Intolerable Acts

Colonists dumped British tea to protest the Tea Act; Britain responded with harsh penalties including closing Boston Harbor.

1774: First Continental Congress

Delegates from 12 colonies met to respond to the Intolerable Acts and coordinate resistance.

1775: Shot Heard Round the World

First gunfire of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord.

1776: Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

Pamphlet arguing for independence and criticizing monarchy; shifted public opinion toward revolution.

1776: Declaration of Independence

Document written mainly by Jefferson declaring separation from Britain and asserting natural rights.

1776-1777: Victories at Trenton and Princeton

Washington’s surprise attacks in New Jersey revived morale and preserved the Continental Army.

1777: Battle of Saratoga

Turning point victory convincing France to ally with the U.S.

1777: Articles of Confederation

First constitution creating a weak central government unable to tax or regulate commerce.

1777-1778: Winter at Valley Forge:

Continental Army endured cold and shortages but improved discipline under von Steuben.

1781: Battle of Yorktown

Final major battle where British General Cornwallis surrendered to Washington.

1783: Treaty of Paris

Ended the Revolution; Britain recognized American independence and granted land to the Mississippi.

1787: Northwest Ordinance

Organized the Northwest Territory, banned slavery there, and set rules for admitting new states.

1787: Shays’ Rebellion

Farmer uprising in Massachusetts revealing weaknesses of the Articles and prompting calls for a stronger government.

1787-1788: Federalist Papers published

Essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay arguing for ratifying the Constitution.

1788: Ratification of the Constitution (include compromises made)

Constitution approved with compromise: Great Compromise (bicameral legislature), 3/5 Compromise, slave trade allowed until 1808, and Bill of Rights promised.

1789: Inauguration of George Washington

Washington became first president, establishing key precedents for the executive branch.

1790: Hamilton’s Economic Plan

Called for federal assumption of state debts, a national bank, and support for manufacturing.

1792: 2-Party System Begins

Political divisions over Hamilton’s plans led to Federalists and Democratic-Republicans forming.

1793: Fugitive Slave Act

Required escaped enslaved people to be returned to owners even in free states.

1794: Whiskey Rebellion

Farmers protested a whiskey tax; Washington used federal troops to show government authority.

1794: Cotton Gin invented

Whitney’s machine sped cotton processing and expanded slavery in the South.

1795: Jay’s Treaty

Agreement with Britain preventing war but unpopular for not addressing all issues from the Revolution.

1796: Washington’s Farewell Address

Warned against political parties, sectionalism, and foreign entanglements.

1797: The John Adams Presidency

Adams faced rising tensions with France and domestic conflict over federal power.

1797: XYZ Affair

French agents demanded bribes from U.S. diplomats, sparking outrage and leading to the Quasi-War.

1798: Alien and Sedition Acts

Federalists laws restricting immigration and criminalizing government criticism; seen as violating free speech.