Revolutionary Era

Causes of the American Revolution

French and Indian WarAlso known as the Seven Years’ War, this New World conflict marked another chapter in the long imperial struggle between Britain and France. When France’s

The French and Indian War endsThe Seven Years’ War, a global conflict known in America as the French and Indian War, ends with the signing of the Treaty of Paris by France, Great Britain,

Proclamation of 1763In 1763, at ethe end of the French and Indian War, the British issued a proclamation,mainly intended to conciliate the Indians by checking the encroachment of

Sugar Act information is in the Stamp Act article.

Stamp ActThe Stamp Act of 1765 was the first internal tax levied directly on American colonists by the British government. The act, which imposed a tax on all paper

Townshend ActsThe Townshend Acts were a series of measures, passed by the British Parliament in 1767, that taxed goods imported to the American colonies. But American

Boston MassacreThe Boston Massacre was a deadly riot that occurred on March 5, 1770, on King Street in Boston. It began as a street brawl between American colonists and a lone

Tea ActThe Tea Act of 1773 was one of several measures imposed on the American colonists by the heavily indebted British government in the decade leading up to the

Boston Tea PartyThe Boston Tea Party was a political protest that occurred on December 16, 1773, at Griffin’s Wharf in Boston, Massachusetts. American colonists, frustrated and

Coercive Acts (formal name). Colonists called these acts from Parliament the "INTOLERABLE ACTS."

British Parliament adopts the Coercive ActsUpset by the Boston Tea Party and other blatant acts of destruction of British property by American colonists, the British Parliament enacts the Coercive Acts,

Parliament completes the Coercive Acts with the Quartering ActOn this day in 1774, the British Parliament renews the Quartering Act, allowing Redcoats to stay in private American homes if necessary. The Quartering Act, in

American Revolution Important People

Abigail AdamsAbigail Adams was one of only two women to have been both wife and mother to two U.S. presidents (the other being Barbara Bush). Often separated from her

John AdamsJohn Adams (1735-1826) was a leader of the American Revolution, and served as the second U.S. president from 1797 to 1801. The Massachusetts-born,

Samuel AdamsSamuel Adams was a Boston-born political leader who played a vital role in moving colonial America to its decisive break with Britain during the American

The Midnight Ride of William DawesWhile Paul Revere rode into history on April 18, 1775, his fellow rider, William Dawes, galloped into undeserved oblivion.

Wentworth Cheswell, the Black Man Who Rode With Revere - New England Historical SocietyWentworth Cheswell was a man of 1sts: 1st African-American elected to public office, 1st archaeologist in NH and grandson of NH's 1st black landowner.

Paul RevereAmerican revolutionary Paul Revere was immortalized in the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” for bearing news of an impending

5 Patriot Spies of the American RevolutionFrom a doomed Patriot to an officer who spied on the British in plain sight, get the facts on five of the American Revolution’s most legendary secret agents.

Benjamin FranklinOne of the leading figures of early American history, Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) was a statesman, author, publisher, scientist, inventor and diplomat. Born

Spanish siege of Pensacola beginsAfter successfully capturing British positions in Louisiana and Mississippi, Spanish General Bernardo de Galvez, commander of the Spanish forces in North

Spaniards capture Baton RougeOn this day in 1779, the Louisiana governor and Spanish military officer Bernardo de Galvez, with the aide of American troops and militia volunteers, captures

6 Foreign-Born Heroes of the American RevolutionExplore the stories of six international figures who made their mark on the fight for American independence.

George IIIEngland’s longest-ruling monarch before Queen Victoria, King George III (1738-1820) ascended the British throne in 1760. During his 59-year reign, he pushed

British plan to isolate New EnglandJohn Burgoyne, poet, playwright and British general, submits an ill-fated plan to the British government to isolate New England from the other colonies on this

Charles CornwallisCharles Cornwallis led several successful early campaigns during the American Revolution, securing British victories at New York, Brandywine and Camden. In

Thomas PaineThomas Paine was an England-born political philosopher and writer who supported revolutionary causes in America and Europe. Published in 1776 to international

Patrick HenryPatrick Henry was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the first governor of Virginia. He was a gifted orator and major figure in the American

John Paul JonesJohn Paul Jones was a Revolutionary War hero known as the father of the U.S. Navy. Born in Scotland in 1747, Jones came to America as a merchant sailor. When

Marquis de Lafayette becomes a major-general without payOn this day in 1777, a 19-year-old French aristocrat, Marie-Joseph Paul Roch Yves Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, accepts a commission as a

Fierce Revolutionary Women Through HistoryWomen around the world have fought against oppressive regimes, either with the pen, the podium or their very own fists.

George WashingtonGeorge Washington (1732-99) was commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) and served two terms as the first

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson (1743-1826), author of the Declaration of Independence and the third U.S. president, was a leading figure in America’s early development.

John HancockAmerican Revolution leader John Hancock (1737-1793) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and a governor of Massachusetts. The colonial

The Revolutionary War begins

Battles of Lexington and ConcordThe Battles of Lexington and Concord, fought on April 19, 1775, kicked off the American Revolutionary War (1775-83). Tensions had been building for many years

Declaration of IndependenceWhen armed conflict between bands of American colonists and British soldiers began in April 1775, the Americans were ostensibly fighting only for their rights

Battles of Trenton and PrincetonGeneral George Washington’s army crossed the icy Delaware on Christmas Day 1776 and, over the course of the next 10 days, won two crucial battles of the

Battle of SaratogaFought eighteen days apart in the fall of 1777, the two Battles of Saratoga were a turning point in the American Revolution. On September 19th, British General

Washington leads troops into winter quarters at Valley ForgeOn this day in 1777, commander of the Continental Army George Washington, the future first president of the United States, leads his beleaguered troops into

Continental Army enters winter camp at Valley ForgeWith the onset of the bitter winter cold, the Continental Army under General George Washington, still in the field, enters its winter camp at Valley Forge, 22

235 Years Ago, Washington’s Troops Made Camp at Valley ForgeOn December 19, 1777, 11,000 Continental Army regulars marched into Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to set up winter quarters during the Revolutionary War.

Treaty of ParisThe Treaty of Paris of 1783 formally ended the American Revolutionary War. American statesmen Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay negotiated the peace

Battle of YorktownIn the fall of 1781, a combined American force of Colonial and French troops laid seige to the British Army at Yorktown, Virginia. Led by George Washington and

Influences on the Declaration of Independence & Constitution

John LockeThe English philosopher and political theorist John Locke (1632-1704) laid much of the groundwork for the Enlightenment and made central contributions to the

EnlightenmentEuropean politics, philosophy, science and communications were radically reoriented during the course of the “long 18th century” (1685-1815) as part of a

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