Annotated Timeline: 1763-1783 Essay

1763: The Proclamation of 1763 was a royal directive issued after the end of the French and Indian War that prohibited settlement, surveys, and land grants west of the Appalachian Mountains. It was an attempt to organize western lands gained as a result of the 1763 Treaty of Paris and it appease Native American tribes who lived in the areas. British North American colonists resented being denied access to lands they felt they had fought for and won in the French and Indian War. 1764-Sugar Act: A law passed by British Parliament which raised taxes on foreign refined sugar, leading to a monopoly in the West Indies that was controlled by British sugar farmers. 1765-Stamp Act: An act proposed by the British Parliament to require the use of stamps for all official documents, or articles. The act met large amounts of opposition and was repealed in 1766. 1765: Stamp Act Congress: A meeting held in New York, after the Stamp Act. It was attended by some of the colonies’ representatives to devise unified protest against Britain. It is considered the first attempt of such ideas. 1766-Declaratory Act: Following the repeal of the Stamp Act, British Parliament reasserted its authority to pass laws on the colonies, even though they did not have representation. 1767-Townshend Duties: Charles Townshend taxed imported good from England such as, paper, lead, and glass. The taxes went straight to the British officials to make them better able to enforce British law. 1770-Boston Massacre: A riot that broke out in Boston due to the colonists disliking for the British troops. The troops fired on the crowd, killing several people. (Boston Massacre 1770) 1773-The Tea Act: An act from British Parliament that gave them a monopoly unfair to American tea merchants, which would lead to more tension. 1773-The Boston Tea Party: In response to the Tea Act, a group of angry colonists boarded a British boat and tossed barrels of tea into the harbor in protest during the night. (Boston Tea Party-1773) 1774-Intolerable Acts: A series of laws passed by England in attempt to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. 1774-1st Continental Congress: A meeting of all colonies (excluding Georgia) that was held in Philadelphia after the Intolerable Acts to discuss ways to rebel against Britain, such as boycotting their trade. 1775-Lexington & Concord: The first military engagement between England soldiers and American colonists. American’s were on a mission to capture and destroy military supplies, but the British had learned of their plans, and moved the supplies elsewhere. 1775-2nd Continental Congress: A meeting of all colonies (excluding Georgia) that succeeded the 1st continental congress by having ideas of independence. By forming armies, appointing diplomats, and making formal treaties, the congress acted as the national government. (Continental Congress) 1775-Battle of Bunker Hill: After learning of British intentions of occupying the hills around Boston, 1,700 colonists attempted to fight off British troops, but had to retread due to lack of ammunition. 1775-Olive Branch Petition: An attempt to end bloodshed by sending a pact to King George, from the 2nd continental congress, stating that they will be loyal to him, if he repeals the Intolerable Acts. 1776-Common Sense: Written by Thomas Paine, Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of America and was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. (Common Sense-1776) 1776-Virginia Declaration of Rights: A document written to proclaim the inherent rights of man, including the right to rebel against an inadequate government. 1776-Declaration of Independence: A statement adopted by the continental congress that announced the 13 colonies regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. 1777-Battle of Saratoga: A battle fought 9 miles south of Saratoga, New York. The American forces under Benedict Arnold and fellow commanders defeated the British General Burgoyne and laid the groundwork for the entry of France into the war on the American side. 1777-Articles of Confederation: The first constitution of the 13 American colonies. It would eventually be replaced by the Constitution of the United States. 1778-Treat of Amity and Commerce/Treat of Alliance: A commercial alliance signed in Paris between the United States and the French. The treaty was signed during the Revolutionary war. 1779-Virginia Statue of Religious Freedom: A document written by Thomas Jefferson stating that all people are entitled to practice any religion and worship any god of their choosing. 1781-Battle of Yorktown: Led by Washington and the French commander Rochambeau, British troops were defeated in Yorktown, Virginia, as it proved to be a decisive victory for America. (Battle of Yorktown-1781) 1783-Treaty of Paris: The treaty that ended the war between America and England. Spain, France, and the Dutch were awarded land as a result.