The Americn Revolution in Chronological Order

Early Colonial Context

  • Salutary Neglect (1600s–1700s) – England’s hands-off policy allowed colonies to self-govern and manage trade. Built independence mindset.

  • Mercantilism (1600s–1700s) – Colonies existed to enrich England by supplying raw materials and buying British goods.

  • Navigation Acts (1651–1696) – Restricted colonial trade; boosted English economy but caused resentment and smuggling.

French & Indian War Era

  • French & Indian War (1754–1763) – British victory gave them French Canada and land east of Mississippi. War debt pushed Britain to tax colonies.

  • Proclamation of 1763 – Banned colonial settlement west of Appalachians. Colonists felt betrayed.

Rising Tensions with Britain

  • Sugar Act (1764) – Lowered molasses tax but enforced stricter trials. First act directly raising revenue from colonies.

  • Stamp Act (1765) – Tax on printed materials. Colonists boycotted, formed Stamp Act Congress. Repealed in 1766.

  • Declaratory Act (1766) – Asserted Parliament’s right to legislate for colonies “in all cases whatsoever.”

  • Townshend Acts (1767) – Indirect taxes on imports (glass, lead, paint, tea). Colonists boycotted; women joined protests.

  • Boston Massacre (1770) – British soldiers killed 5 colonists; Crispus Attucks first to die. Patriots used it as propaganda.

  • Court Case (1770) – John Adams defended soldiers; most acquitted. Colonists still valued law.

  • Committees of Correspondence (1772+) – Colonies created communication networks to share threats to liberty.

  • Boston Tea Party (1773) – Colonists dumped 18,000 lbs. of British tea into Boston Harbor.

  • King George’s Reaction (1774) – Furious; pushed Parliament to pass Coercive/Intolerable Acts punishing Massachusetts.

  • Colonial Reaction (1774) – Colonists formed the First Continental Congress, demanded rights, prepared for resistance.

Toward Revolution

  • Paul Revere Propaganda (1770 engraving) – His Boston Massacre engraving fueled anti-British sentiment.

  • Shot Heard Around the World (1775) – Battles of Lexington & Concord. First armed clashes of Revolution.

  • Battle of Bunker Hill (1775) – British victory but costly (1,000+ casualties). Proved colonists could stand up to them.

  • Olive Branch Petition (1775) – Colonists’ final peace attempt; rejected by King George.

Independence

  • Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (1776) – Pamphlet urging independence, attacking monarchy, persuading colonists.

  • Declaration of Independence (1776) – Written by Jefferson, inspired by Enlightenment (natural rights, social contract). Declared U.S. free from Britain.

War Years

  • Strengths & Weaknesses (Patriots vs. British) – Patriots had home advantage and strong motivation; British had strongest navy/army but long supply lines.

  • European Support (1777+) – France (after Saratoga), Spain, and Netherlands helped colonies with troops, funds, and navy.

  • Battle of Saratoga (1777) – American victory forced Burgoyne’s surrender. Turning point—France allied with U.S.

  • Valley Forge (1777–1778) – Harsh winter, but Friedrich von Steuben trained army, boosting discipline.

  • Battle of Yorktown (1781) – Washington and French allies trapped Cornwallis. British surrendered, ending major fighting.

End of War

  • Treaty of Paris (1783) – Britain recognized U.S. independence, set borders at Mississippi River, granted fishing rights.

  • African Americans in the War – Fought on both sides. British promised freedom to enslaved people; 5,000 also fought for Patriots. Slavery continued after.