The American Revolution, 1763 – 1783

The term “revolution” refers to a radical change or overthrow of a government. When we talk about revolution, how can we forget the American Revolution? The American Revolution was a period of political revolution. It was fought as an insurrection to establish the sovereign state of America. 1763 was a turning point for the colonials as it suppressed the colonies. Also, it imposed revenue taxes. Since the 17th century, North Americans have played havoc with a series of wars. The wars between France, Spain, and Britain.

Timeline of the American Revolution, 1763-1783

Here is the American Revolution timeline from the years 1763–1783.

1760’s

Year	Date	Event
1763	10 February	Treaty Of Paris signing
1763	7 October	Proclamation of 1763
1764	5 April	Sugar Act by Vice-Admiralty Court to put off smuggling cases.
1765	22 March	Stamp Act under which all the legal documents are required to be stamped or watermarked.
1765	15 May	Quartering Act. The act was designed to pay for supplies to the British garrisons.
1765	30 May	Virginian Resolution
1765	7-25 October	Stamp Act Congress
1766	18 March	Under the Declaratory Act, the Parliament revokes Stamp Act.
1767	29 June	Townshend Revenue Act by which the duties implies on the paint, glass, paper, and lead
1768	1 October	Upon the political unrest, the British troops arrived in Boston.

1770’s

Year	Date	Event
1770	5 March	Boston Massacre, which resulted in the killing of five civilians.
1770	12 April	Townshend Revenue Act was repealed,
1772	10 June	Angered by the trade legislation, they burned the Gaspee near Rhode Island.
1773	July	Publications of the letter by Massachusetts governor, Thomas Hutchinson.
1773	10 May	The Tea Act. Parliament exempts its tea from the export duties to provide support to the East India Company.
1773	16 December	Boston Tea Party
1774	May & June	Boycott of British goods by colonies.
1774	September	Continental Congress
1775	19 April	Battles of Lexington and Concord.
1775	16 June	George Washington was appointed as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
1775	17 June	On 17 June 1775, the first major war of independence took place, the Battle of Bunker Hill.
1775	5 July	Oliver-Brach Petition was made for American rights but George II rejected this petition.
1776	9 January	Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was published in Philadelphia.
1776	2 May	Americans got aid from France.
1776	4 July	The Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence.
1776	August-December	Battles of Long Islands and White Plains. British forces occupy Americans.
1776	26 December	Battle of Trenton
1777	2 & 3 January	Battle of Princeton
1777	13 October	British surrendered troops to Major General Horatio Gates at Saratoga.
1778	6 February	France recognizes United States Independence.

1780’s

Year	Date	Event
1780	16 August	The Battle of Camden. The US gets defeated.
1781	1 March	Articles of Confederation were rectified.
1781	5 September	Battle of the Capes
1781	18 October	Surrender of the British Forces at Yorktown.
1782	5 March	Negotiations by the British government.
1783	3 September	Treaty of Paris, which ends the Revolutionary War.

Famous Personalities in the American Revolution

From the above timeline, we know the major events during the American Revolution. Now let’s look at some famous personalities and their role in the American Revolution in particular.

Thomas Hutchinson

Thomas Hutchinson was a businessman and politician in Boston, Massachusetts. He is referred to as the most important figure in pre-Revolutionary Massachusetts. As governor of the province of Massachusetts Bay, he tries to calm the situation, particularly after the Boston Massacre.

During the Revolutionary War, Thomas Hutchinson’s letters were published in a Boston newspaper. The letters explain the revolts in the colony against the taxes and call for the rights of the colonials. It also proposes suggestions for improvements for the colonials.

King George III

King George III was the King of Ireland and Great Britain. During his reign, many wars were fought. During the American Revolution, he sought the legitimate rights of Americans. One of the reasons why the Revolutionary War lasted so long was that King George III refused to surrender the colonies.

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was an American scientist, writer, and political philosopher. He played a major role in Philadelphia’s civic life and the Declaration of Independence. He also acted as a spokesperson for the colonials.

Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry was an American politician and attorney. He was one of the leading advocates for independence in the American Revolution. At the Second Virginia Convention, he gave a speech, saying, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” He also wrote many letters to put an end to slavery.

John Adams

John Adams was an American writer and attorney known for his extreme patriotism. J.Adams also played an important role in the negotiations of the Treaty of Paris. He served in Holland and France during the war period.

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of America. He was one of the people who started the United States. He wrote the Declaration of Independence, which says that the American colonies are no longer under British rule.

Slavery, rights of black Americans, and the American Revolution

The American Revolution undoubtedly had a great effect on slavery. Many enslaved people gained their freedom.Many of them were emancipated, while others freed themselves by running away. According to the reports, 5,000 enslaved people from Georgia got freedom, while a quarter of enslaved people from South Carolina did. In 1775, the governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, promised to free all the enslaved people who belonged to rebels.

During the Revolutionary War, Black Americans played a dominant role. Many black American soldiers served during the war period. During the war, many black Americans were assigned the role of servers, cooks, wagoners, etc. The revolution undoubtedly inspired the blacks to claim their rights, “The rights of Black Americans.”

Outcomes of The American Revolution

The American Revolution was a particular period of political and military struggle. The colonials fought for their rights and representation before the British monarch. The Americans’ victory paved new ways for trade. The revolution also had a significant effect on the social and political life of the United States. Undoubtedly, it played a major role in freeing the people from slavery. Americans’ lives changed drastically positively, particularly after the war period.