french and indian war 1754 1763

During the first two years of the war the French and their Indian allies defeated the British numerous times.

The War officially came to an end on February 10, 1763, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. France officially ceded all of its holdings in North America, west of the Mississippi; while regaining the Islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique.

The cost of the war and of controlling the newly acquired territories was high. The British looked to the colonies to help pay those costs. That began the long spiral of events that led to the Revolution.

The British government decided to increase the enforcement of existing taxes on the Colonists and impose additional taxes.

The second British action was to pass the Revenue Act of 1764, otherwise known in the colonies as "The Sugar Act".

(Silks, wines and potash).

British Actions after the French Indian War

The Quartering Act forced American colonists to house and feed British soldiers who were serving in North America, and the close contact with British soldiers provoked tensions and conflicts.

The Quartering Act 1765

Stamp Tax Imposed - 1764

In 1765 Prime Minister Grenville induced Parliament to impose a stamp tax.

Andrew Oliver (March 28, 1706 – March 3, 1774)

Behind much of the rioting was a new organization called “The Sons of Liberty” that had been founded to defend the liberties of the colonist.

He agreed to be an agent of the stamp tax.

The Congress issued a thirteen point resolution opposing the stamp taxes.

“That the only representatives of the people of these colonies are persons chosen therein, by themselves; and that no taxes ever have been or can be constitutionally imposed on them but by their respective legislatures.”

Stamp Tax Congress -1765

The Stamp Tax had managed to unify the colonist. While every colony had its own identity, for the first time the colonies had united as one. It was a major step on the road to the Revolution.

There was a heated debate in the British parliament:

William Pitt

He said, “This Kingdom has no right to lay a tax upon the colonies. They are the subjects of the kingdom equally entitled with yourselves to all the natural rights of mankind and the peculiar privileges of Englishmen. The Americans are the sons not the bastards of England.”

Townshend Acts Imposed on the Colonies 1767

In the summer of 1766, King George III of England replaced Prime Minister Rockingham with William Pitt. Pitt was popular in the colonies.

Charles Townshend (August 29, 1725- September 4, 1767) was a British politician.

He convinced the Parliament to pass a series of laws imposing new taxes on the colonists.

These laws included special taxes on lead, paint, paper, glass and tea imported by colonists.

The most tangible colonial protest to the Townshend Act was a boycott on British goods, especially luxury products. The boycott slowly grew to include merchants in most of the colonies. Within a year importation from Britain dropped almost in half.

“The Boston Massacre” On March 5, 1770

Ultimately, 11 colonists were hit. Five were dead, including Crispus Attucks, a former slave. This incident came to be known as “The Boston Massacre”

The British parliament repealed the Townshend duties on all but tea. Falling colonial imports and raising opposition convinced the British government that its policies were not working.

Townshend Acts Repealed 1770

Prime Minister Lord North

He maintained the taxes on tea, in order to emphasize that Parliament still retained the right to impose taxes on the colonists.

Boston Tea Party 1773

The British were shocked by the destruction of the tea in Boston Harbor and other colonial protests. Parliament passed a series of measures known as the "Coercive Acts"; (in the colonies the "Intolerable Acts").

Coercive Acts Imposed By British 1774

The first Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, from September to October of 1774. Initially, the congress aimed at showing solidarity with the people of Boston and finding ways to confront the policies of the British government.

First Continental Congress Meets 1774

The Revolutionary War Begins

The British planned a surprise attack on Lexington; a storage place for colonial arms.

Paul Revere (December 21, 1734 O.S – May 10, 1818) he is most famous for alerting the Colonial militia to the approach of British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord.

Lexington and Concord - 1775

Forewarned by Paul Revere, American militiamen fought 800 British troops on April 19th, 1775 at the village of Concord. 73 British soldiers were killed and over 200 were wounded. The Americans lost 49 soldiers and suffered 39 wounded. This marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

Battle of Bunker Hill - 1775

“Don’t fire until you can see the whites of their eyes”.

Thomas Gage (1719 or 1720[1] – 2 April 1787) was a British general, best known for his many years of service in North America, including his role as military commander in the early days of the American Revolution.

The British forced the Americans to withdrawal, but they suffered very heavy losses. To the Americans, the Battle of Bunker Hill represented a moral victory.

King George Declares the Colonies in Open Rebellion - 1775

On April 23, 1775 King George III of Great Britain declared, "The colonies are in open and avowed rebellion. The die is now cast. The colonies must either submit or triumph." 

Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776

This Declaration stated that the colonies were free and independent states, absolved of all allegiance to England. It made official what had already been happening; as the War of Independence was in full swing.

Battle of New York; Washington Retreats Through N.J - 1776

The British captured Fort Washington on Northern Manhattan Island on November 16, 1776, without much difficulty. Washington proceeded into New Jersey. He was pursued by Howe (British army officer) all the way south until he successfully crossed the Delaware River.

Battle of Trenton- 1776

Washington's troops achieved total surprise and defeated the British forces. The American victory was the first of the war, and helped to restore American morale.

On December 26th, Washington's Army crossed the Delaware and surprised the British at Trenton.

British Surrender at Saratoga - 1777

The great victory at Saratoga convinced many Europeans that the Americans might win the war. France, eager to avenge its loss of the French and Indian War, began to consider an alliance with the Americans.

Treaty of Amity and Commerce-1778

On January 7, 1778, the French royal council declared unanimously in favor of a treaty of amity and commerce with the United States. It was followed on February 6th with a treaty of alliance. The treaty marked a major turning point in the war, and ended American isolation.

Valley Forge - Winter 1777-1778

In 1777 the British captured the American capitol, Philadelphia, with little difficulty. With the British Army secure in Philadelphia, the American army settled into winter quarters at Valley Forge.

The Bonne Homme Richard defeats the Serapis - September 23, 1779

On November 28, the Continental Congress authorized the establishment of the American Navy. Although the Navy was to play only a minor role in the war, the success of American privateers in interrupting British trade was an important factor aiding the patriot cause.

Benedict Arnold a Traitor - September 25, 1780

In an act that has made his name synonymous with treason in American history, General Benedict Arnold conspired to turn his command of West Point over to the British.

Battles of Cowpens and Guilford Court House, 1781

In this latter battle, American forces under General Greene attacked British forces commanded by General Cornwallis at Guilford Court House.

Battles of Yorktown - 1781

General Cornwallis arrived in Virginia in May of 1781 and positioned his army in the peninsula of Yorktown. He counted on the British fleet to supply his army by sea.

On September 3, 1783, a peace treaty was formally signed between Great Britain and the United States, officially ending the American Revolutionary War.

Even after armed conflict broke out between the colonists and the British army many Americans continued to insist that they were simply defending their rights as loyal British subjects. Although some patriots began to talk of breaking their relationship with the mother country, many others resisted the idea.

Documents of the Revolutionary War

Thomas Paine (As Paine wrote, “It was necessary that the country should be strongly animated”).

Thomas Paine (February 9, 1737 – June 8, 1809) was an American and English political activist, philosopher, political theorist and revolutionary. As the author of the two most influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution, he inspired the Patriots in 1776 to declare independence from Britain.

Paine says that as a colony of Britain, America lacks respectability on the international scene. They are seen simply as rebels, and cannot form substantial alliances with other nations. In order to prosper in the long term, the colonies need to be independent. Paine says that, by declaring independence, America will be able to ask for the help of other countries in its struggle for freedom. For all of these reasons, Paine says it is imperative and urgent that the colonies declare independence.

Common Sense

 The American Crisis crystallized the meaning of the moment for many Americans. In brilliantly crafted prose, Paine dignified the sacrifices that all knew would have to be made. He reminded ordinary people that they were capable of heroism in a time of trouble. Paine's clarion call attained the immortality of a great American state paper. The opening words of The American Crisis are still familiar: “These are the times that try men's souls… 

The American Crisis

The Declaration of Independence

The new nation will be called the United States of America and will have no further connections with Great Britain. The new government will reserve the right to levy war, make peace, make alliances with foreign nations, conduct trade, and do anything else that nations do.

John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. He signed his name very large so that (as he said) “the King will not need his spectacles in order to read it.” So iconic has this signature become that today we often call a signature a “John Hancock”.

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