Timeline of the American Revolution | Causes, Battles & Facts

Issued by King George III to prevent colonial expansion beyond the Appalachian Mountains.

Angered colonists who wanted to settle in newly acquired lands from the French and Indian War.

Imposed duties on sugar, molasses, and other goods to raise revenue for Britain.

Led to widespread smuggling and resentment in the colonies.

Required colonists to purchase special stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, and playing cards.

Met with violent protests, boycotts, and the formation of the Sons of Liberty.

Repealed in 1766 due to colonial resistance, but Britain maintained its right to tax the colonies.

Imposed new taxes on imports like glass, paper, lead, paint, and tea.

Colonists responded with non-importation agreements and resistance, leading to British military presence in Boston.

British soldiers fired on a crowd of protesting colonists, killing five people.

Used as propaganda to fuel anti-British sentiment.

In response to the Tea Act, the Sons of Liberty, dressed as Mohawk Indians, dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor.

One of the most famous acts of colonial resistance.

A series of punitive laws passed by Britain to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party.

Included the Boston Port Act (closing the port), the Massachusetts Government Act (limiting self-rule), and the Quartering Act (housing British soldiers in colonial homes).

Led to the First Continental Congress in September 1774, where colonies united in resistance.

First armed conflict of the revolution.

British troops attempted to seize colonial weapons; local militias responded, forcing the British to retreat to Boston.

British forces attacked colonial positions near Boston.

Although the British won, they suffered heavy losses, proving the colonial army’s resilience.

January – Thomas Paine’s *Common Sense* published, calling for independence from Britain.

July 4 – Declaration of Independence signed in Philadelphia, officially severing ties with Britain.

British forces defeated Washington’s army, forcing them to retreat across the Hudson River.

One of the largest battles of the war.

Washington crossed the Delaware River in a surprise attack against Hessian forces.

Boosted American morale and revitalized the war effort.

Major American victory over British General Burgoyne.

Persuaded France to officially ally with the American cause, providing military and financial support.

Washington’s army endured a harsh winter in Pennsylvania.

Despite suffering from cold, hunger, and disease, the army emerged better trained under Baron von Steuben.

American General Benedict Arnold attempted to surrender West Point to the British.

His plot was exposed, and he defected to the British side.

American and French forces, led by Washington and Rochambeau, trapped British General Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia.

Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, marking the effective end of the war.

Britain formally recognized American independence.

Established the borders of the new United States.

In response to weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation, delegates met in Philadelphia to draft a new governing document.

Established a strong federal government with checks and balances.

Washington was unanimously elected as the first U.S. president under the new Constitution.