apush midterm

End of the French & Indian War (February 10, 1763)
The Treaty of Paris formally ended the French and Indian War, a conflict between Britain and France for control of North American territories. As a result, France ceded significant lands, including Canada and territories east of the Mississippi, to Britain. While this expanded British control, the war left Britain in deep debt. To recover funds, Britain began imposing taxes on the American colonies, sowing the seeds of colonial resentment and eventual rebellion.

Proclamation of 1763 (October 7, 1763)
Issued by King George III, the Proclamation of 1763 prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains to prevent further conflict with Native Americans. Many colonists, eager for expansion and land ownership, were angered by this restriction. The proclamation was seen as Britain exerting unnecessary control over the colonies, adding to growing dissatisfaction with British rule.

Stamp Act (March 22, 1765)
The Stamp Act was the first direct tax imposed by Britain on the colonies, requiring all legal documents, newspapers, pamphlets, and even playing cards to carry a tax stamp. Colonists viewed this as an infringement on their rights, as they had no representation in the British Parliament. The act sparked widespread protests and riots, leading to the formation of groups like the Sons of Liberty who actively resisted British taxation.

Quartering Act (March 24, 1765)
The Quartering Act required colonial governments to provide lodging, food, and supplies to British soldiers stationed in the colonies. This was deeply unpopular, as it imposed a financial burden on colonists and was seen as a way for Britain to exert military control over them. The act further inflamed tensions between the colonists and the British government.

Stamp Act Congress (October 7-25, 1765)
Delegates from nine colonies gathered in New York to discuss a unified response to the Stamp Act. The Congress declared that only colonial legislatures had the right to tax their citizens, as they had no representation in Parliament. This marked an important step toward colonial unity, as it was one of the first coordinated efforts among the colonies to resist British policies.

Townshend Acts (June 29, 1767)
The Townshend Acts imposed duties on imported goods like glass, tea, paper, and paint to raise revenue for Britain. Colonists responded with boycotts of British goods, organized by the Sons and Daughters of Liberty. These acts deepened colonial opposition to British interference in economic affairs and contributed to rising tensions, especially in port cities like Boston.

Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770)
Tensions between British soldiers and colonists in Boston erupted in violence when a crowd confronted a group of soldiers. The soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five colonists, including Crispus Attucks. The event was heavily publicized by patriots like Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, who used it to galvanize anti-British sentiment, portraying the incident as an example of British tyranny.

Tea Act (May 10, 1773)
The Tea Act was intended to help the struggling British East India Company by allowing it to sell surplus tea directly to the American colonies, bypassing colonial merchants and lowering the price of tea. However, colonists saw this as another attempt to impose British control, especially since it maintained the hated tax on tea. This act led directly to the Boston Tea Party, as colonists protested against both the tax and the monopoly of British goods.

Boston Tea Party (December 16, 1773)
In a bold act of defiance, a group of colonists disguised as Native Americans boarded British ships in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea into the water. This protest was a direct response to the Tea Act and Britain’s continued taxation of the colonies. The event outraged the British government, leading to harsh punitive measures known as the Intolerable Acts, which further escalated the conflict.

Intolerable Acts (March 31 - June 2, 1774)
The Intolerable Acts (also called the Coercive Acts) were a series of punitive laws passed by Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party. These acts closed Boston Harbor, suspended Massachusetts' charter, and allowed British soldiers to be housed in private homes. Colonists viewed these measures as a violation of their rights, and the acts prompted the colonies to convene the First Continental Congress to organize collective resistance.

First Continental Congress (September 5 - October 26, 1774)
Delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia to coordinate a response to the Intolerable Acts. The Congress called for a boycott of British goods, urged colonies to form militias, and prepared for possible conflict with Britain. It marked a significant step toward colonial unity and collective action against British rule.

Battle of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775)
The first military engagements of the American Revolution occurred when British troops, who were attempting to seize colonial weapons and arrest rebel leaders, clashed with colonial military in the towns of Lexington and Concord. "The shot heard 'round the world" at Lexington marked the official start of the Revolutionary War, as colonists took up arms against British forces.

Second Continental Congress (May 10, 1775)
The Second Continental Congress met after the battles of Lexington and Concord to manage the colonial war effort. It established the Continental Army, appointed George Washington as its commander, and began debating the idea of declaring independence. The Congress would serve as the governing body of the colonies throughout the war.

Olive Branch Petition (July 5, 1775)
As a last attempt to avoid full-scale war, the Continental Congress sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III, expressing loyalty to the British Crown and seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The King’s refusal to even read the petition solidified the colonies’ path toward independence, as they realized reconciliation was no longer possible.

Common Sense by Thomas Paine (January 10, 1776)
Thomas Paine’s pamphlet "Common Sense" argued passionately for independence from Britain, using straightforward language to reach ordinary colonists. Paine criticized the monarchy and called for the creation of a republic. His work was widely read and significantly influenced public opinion, helping to push people toward supporting independence.

Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776)
The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, was formally adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It outlined the philosophical justification for breaking away from Britain, listing grievances against King George III, and asserting the colonies' right to self-governance. This document marked the official start of the United States as an independent nation.

Battle of Saratoga (September 19 - October 7, 1777)
The Battle of Saratoga was a major turning point in the Revolutionary War, as American forces defeated a large British army in upstate New York. This victory convinced France to enter the war as an ally of the American colonies, providing crucial military and financial support. French involvement was crucial in the eventual American victory.

Washington’s Winter at Valley Forge (December 19, 1777 - June 19, 1778)
The Continental Army, under George Washington, endured a harsh winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, facing extreme cold, hunger, and disease. Despite the hardships, Washington’s leadership and training from European military experts, like Baron von Steuben, helped transform the army into a more effective fighting force. Valley Forge became a symbol of the resilience and determination of the American cause.

Battle of Yorktown (September 28 - October 19, 1781)
The Battle of Yorktown was the final major battle of the American Revolution, where British General Cornwallis was surrounded by American and French forces and forced to surrender. This victory effectively ended the war, as Britain realized it could not win a prolonged conflict. The defeat at Yorktown led to peace negotiations and eventually the recognition of American independence.

Treaty of Paris (September 3, 1783)
The Treaty of Paris formally ended the American Revolution, with Britain recognizing the independence of the United States. The treaty also established the new nation's borders, extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River. It marked the official birth of the United States as a free and independent country, ending eight years of conflict.

Pivotal Event: The Battle of Saratoga

The Battle of Saratoga (September 19 - October 7, 1777) stands as the pivotal event in the American Revolution. This victory was crucial for several reasons, most notably because it convinced France to formally join the war as an ally to the colonies. France provided military support, funding, and naval strength that were instrumental in tipping the balance against Britain, especially in battles like Yorktown. Without French involvement, the colonists might have struggled to sustain their war effort against the might of the British Empire. Saratoga was the turning point that transformed the colonial rebellion into an international conflict, leading directly to American independence.