WORLD HISTORY · 18TH CENTURY 日本語
Events of the 1770s1770–1779
What happened in the 1770s?
In the 1770s (1770–1779), the Boston Tea Party and the clashes at Lexington and Concord led to the Declaration of Independence. The First Partition of Poland also took place, and in Japan Tanuma Okitsugu became a senior councilor while Sugita Genpaku and others published Kaitai Shinsho, a translated Western anatomy text.
- Cook's party lands in AustraliaOceania
- Tanuma Okitsugu becomes senior councilorAsia
- First Partition of PolandEurope
- Boston Tea PartyNorth America
- Sugita Genpaku and others publish Kaitai ShinshoAsia
- Fighting breaks out at Lexington and ConcordNorth America
- Adam Smith publishes The Wealth of NationsEurope
- Thirteen Colonies declare independenceNorth America
Summaries are written by the site editors.
The 1770s in AP history courses
| AP World History | Unit 5–6 (Revolutions; Consequences of Industrialization) |
|---|---|
| AP U.S. History | Period 3 |
Events of the 1770s (timeline · 224)
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On a computer, each region has its own vertical line, so you can follow the flow of events and see what was happening in different parts of the world at the same time.
British customs officer Ebenezer Richardson fires blindly into a crowd during a protest in North End, Boston, fatally wounding 11-year-old Christopher Seider; the first American fatality of the American Revolution.
Boston Massacre: Five Americans, including Crispus Attucks, are fatally shot by British troops in an event that would contribute to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War (also known as the American War of Independence) five years later.
Daskalogiannis leads the people of Sfakia in the first Greek uprising against the Ottoman rule
Captain James Cook, still holding the rank of lieutenant, sights the eastern coast of what is now Australia.
The Georgian king, Erekle II, abandoned by his Russian ally Count Totleben, wins a victory over Ottoman forces at Aspindza.
The 14-year-old Marie Antoinette marries 15-year-old Louis-Auguste, Dauphin de France, who later becomes king of France.
Lexell's Comet is seen closer to the Earth than any other comet in recorded history, approaching to a distance of 0.0146 astronomical units (2,180,000 km; 1,360,000 mi).
The Battle of Chesma between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire begins, resulting in one of the worst naval defeats of the Ottomans since Lepanto.
After three days of battle around Chesma, the Russian fleet defeats the Ottoman Navy, inflicting one of the most severe naval defeats on the Ottoman Empire since Lepanto.
James Cook names and lands on Possession Island, and claims the east coast of Australia for Britain as New South Wales.
29th Regiment of Foot privates Hugh Montgomery and Matthew Kilroy are found guilty for the manslaughter of Crispus Attucks and Samuel Gray respectively in the Boston Massacre.
The Battle of Alamance, a pre-American Revolutionary War battle between local militia and a group of rebels called The "Regulators", occurs in present-day Alamance County, North Carolina.
Foundation of the Mission San Antonio de Padua in modern California by the Franciscan friar Junípero Serra.
Bloody Falls massacre: Chipewyan chief Matonabbee, traveling as the guide to Samuel Hearne on his Arctic overland journey, massacres a group of unsuspecting Inuit.
The first traveler's cheques, which could be used in 90 European cities, are issued by the London Credit Exchange Company.
Alexander Fordyce flees to France to avoid debt repayment, triggering the credit crisis of 1772 in the British Empire and the Dutch Republic.
French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne and 25 of his men are killed by Māori in New Zealand.
First Partition of Poland: The representatives of Austria, Prussia, and Russia sign three bilateral conventions condemning the "anarchy" of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and imputing to the three powers "ancient and legitimate rights" to the territories of the Commonwealth. The conventions allow each of the three great powers to annex a part of the Commonwealth, which they proceed to do over the course of the following two months.
Gustav III of Sweden stages a coup d'état, in which he assumes power and enacts a new constitution that divides power between the Riksdag and the King.
King Gustav III completes his coup d'état by adopting a new Constitution, ending half a century of parliamentary rule in Sweden and installing himself as an enlightened despot.
The hymn that becomes known as "Amazing Grace", previously titled "1 Chronicles 17:16–17, Faith's Review and Expectation", is first used to accompany a sermon led by John Newton in the town of Olney, Buckinghamshire, England.
The Parliament of Great Britain passes the Tea Act, designed to save the British East India Company by reducing taxes on its tea and granting it the right to sell tea directly to North America. The legislation leads to the Boston Tea Party.
Wolraad Woltemade rescues 14 sailors at the Cape of Good Hope from the sinking ship De Jonge Thomas by riding his horse into the sea seven times. Both he and his horse, Vonk, are drowned on his eighth attempt.
The first recorded ministry of education, the Commission of National Education, is formed in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
American Revolution: Boston Tea Party: Members of the Sons of Liberty disguised as Mohawk Indians dump hundreds of crates of tea into Boston harbor as a protest against the Tea Act.
Moscow State Academy of Choreography is founded under the reign of Catherine II. It is the second ballet school in Russia after Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet.
American Revolution: The Kingdom of Great Britain orders the port of Boston, Massachusetts closed pursuant to the Boston Port Act.
Intolerable Acts: The Quartering Act of 1774 is enacted, allowing a governor in colonial America to house British soldiers in uninhabited houses, outhouses, barns, or other buildings if suitable quarters are not provided.
Rhode Island becomes the first of Britain's North American colonies to ban the importation of slaves.
The British pass the Quebec Act, setting out rules of governance for the colony of Quebec in British North America.
Orangetown Resolutions are adopted in the Province of New York, one of many protests against the British Parliament's Coercive Acts.
Russo-Turkish War (1768–74): Russia and the Ottoman Empire sign the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca ending the war. It is the first time that an Ottoman ruler surrendered territory largely populated by Muslims and the first time that a separation of secular and spiritual authority in the Ottoman Empire was established.
British scientist Joseph Priestley discovers oxygen gas, corroborating the prior discovery of this element by German-Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele.
New Caledonia is first sighted by Europeans, during the second voyage of Captain James Cook.
American Revolution: The First Continental Congress denounces the British Parliament's Intolerable Acts and demands British concessions.
American Revolution: The Continental Association, a nonconsumption and nonimportation agreement against the British Isles and the British West Indies, is adopted by the First Continental Congress.
The British East India Company factory on Balambangan Island is destroyed by Moro pirates.
An anonymous writer, thought by some to be Thomas Paine, publishes "African Slavery in America", the first article in the American colonies calling for the emancipation of slaves and the abolition of slavery.
American Revolutionary War: Patrick Henry delivers his speech – "Give me liberty or give me death!" – at St. John's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia.
The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, the first abolition society in North America, is organized in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush.
American Revolution: The British Army advances up the Charles River in Massachusetts to destroy supplies of American militias, while Paul Revere and other riders rapidly warn the countryside.
American Revolutionary War: The war begins during the Battles of Lexington and Concord with a victory of American minutemen and other militia over British forces, later referred to as the "shot heard round the world".
American Revolutionary War: Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Siege of Boston begins with American militias blocking land access to the British-held city.
American Revolutionary War: The Second Continental Congress takes place in Philadelphia.
American Revolutionary War: A small Colonial militia led by Ethan Allen and Colonel Benedict Arnold captures Fort Ticonderoga.
The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence is allegedly signed in Charlotte, North Carolina.
American Revolution: The Mecklenburg Resolves are adopted in the Province of North Carolina.
The American Revolutionary War's first naval engagement, the Battle of Machias, results in the capture of a small British naval vessel.
American War of Independence: British general Thomas Gage declares martial law in Massachusetts. The British offer a pardon to all colonists who lay down their arms. There would be only two exceptions to the amnesty: Samuel Adams and John Hancock, if captured, were to be hanged.
American Revolutionary War: the Continental Army is established by the Continental Congress, marking the birth of the United States Armed Forces.
American Revolutionary War: Colonists inflict heavy casualties on British forces while losing the Battle of Bunker Hill.
American Revolutionary War: George Washington takes command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Olive Branch Petition is signed by the Continental Congress of the Thirteen Colonies of North America.
The office that would later become the United States Post Office Department is established by the Second Continental Congress. Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania takes office as Postmaster General.
Founding of the U.S. Army Medical Department: The Second Continental Congress passes legislation establishing "an hospital for an army consisting of 20,000 men."
Founding of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps: General George Washington appoints William Tudor as Judge Advocate of the Continental Army.
The Spanish establish the Presidio San Augustin del Tucson in the town that became Tucson, Arizona.
American Revolutionary War: King George III delivers his Proclamation of Rebellion to the Court of St James's stating that the American colonies have proceeded to a state of open and avowed rebellion.
American Revolutionary War: The invasion of Quebec by the Continental Army begins with the Siege of Fort St. Jean.
American Revolutionary War: Ethan Allen surrenders to British forces after attempting to capture Montreal in the Battle of Longue-Pointe during the invasion of Quebec.
American Revolutionary War: Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec sets off to join the American invasion.
The Continental Congress establishes the Continental Navy (predecessor of the United States Navy).
King George III expands on his Proclamation of Rebellion in the Thirteen Colonies in his speech from the throne at the opening of Parliament.
John Murray (also known as Lord Dunmore), the Royal Governor of the Colony of Virginia, starts the first mass emancipation of slaves in North America by issuing Lord Dunmore's Offer of Emancipation, which offers freedom to slaves who abandoned their colonial masters to fight with Murray and the British.
The United States Marine Corps is founded at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia by Samuel Nicholas.
American Revolutionary War: Patriot revolutionary forces under Gen. Richard Montgomery occupy Montreal.
The city of Kuopio, Finland (belonging to Sweden at this time) is founded by King Gustav III of Sweden.
American Revolution: USS Alfred becomes the first vessel to fly the Continental Union Flag (precursor to the "Stars and Stripes"); the flag is hoisted by John Paul Jones.
At Fort Ticonderoga, Henry Knox begins his historic transport of artillery to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
American Revolutionary War: British troops and Loyalists, misinformed about Patriot militia strength, lose the Battle of Great Bridge, ending British rule in Virginia.
American Revolutionary War: Battle of Quebec: British forces under General Guy Carleton repulse an attack by Continental Army General Richard Montgomery in a snowstorm.
General George Washington hoists the first United States flag, the Continental Union Flag, at Prospect Hill.
American Revolutionary War: Burning of Norfolk – Norfolk, Virginia, is burned to the ground by combined Royal Navy and Continental Army action.
Empress Maria Theresa of Austria amends the Constitutio Criminalis Theresiana to include the abolition of torture throughout the Habsburg-ruled countries of Austria and Bohemia.
American Revolutionary War: Henry Knox's "noble train of artillery" arrives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
American Revolutionary War: The Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge in North Carolina breaks up a Loyalist militia.
American Revolutionary War: Patriot militia units attempt to prevent capture of supply ships in and around the Savannah River by a small fleet of the Royal Navy in the Battle of the Rice Boats.
American Revolutionary War: The first amphibious landing of the United States Marine Corps begins the Battle of Nassau.
American Revolutionary War: The Continental Army fortifies Dorchester Heights with cannon, leading the British troops to abandon the Siege of Boston.
Scottish philosopher Adam Smith publishes The Wealth of Nations, ushering in the classical period of political economy.
American Revolutionary War: The British Army evacuates Boston, ending the Siege of Boston, after George Washington and Henry Knox place artillery in positions overlooking the city.
American Revolutionary War: American Patriots conduct a Raid on Tybee Island, primarily seeking to capture runaway slaves who sought refuge with British forces stationed there.
American Revolutionary War: Ships of the Continental Navy fail in their attempt to capture a Royal Navy dispatch boat.
American Revolution: With the Halifax Resolves, the North Carolina Provincial Congress authorizes its Congressional delegation to vote for independence from Britain.
Rhode Island becomes the first American colony to renounce allegiance to King George III.
American Revolutionary War: A Continental Army garrison surrenders in the Battle of The Cedars.
American Revolution: Richard Henry Lee proposes the "Lee Resolution" to the Second Continental Congress, with the motion being seconded by John Adams and leading to the United States Declaration of Independence.
American Revolutionary War: Continental Army attackers are driven back at the Battle of Trois-Rivières.
American Revolution: The Second Continental Congress appoints Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston to the Committee of Five to draft a declaration of independence.
American Revolution: Thomas Jefferson and the Committee of Five present the draft of the United States Declaration of Independence to the Second Continental Congress, which orders it to "lie on the table" for further edits by the assembly.
American Revolutionary War: The Battle of Sullivan's Island ends with the American victory, leading to the commemoration of Carolina Day.
American Revolutionary War: Thomas Hickey, Continental Army private and bodyguard to General George Washington, is hanged for mutiny and sedition.
American Revolution: The Continental Congress adopts the Lee Resolution severing ties with the Kingdom of Great Britain. The wording of the formal Declaration of Independence was agreed upon and publicly released two days later, on July 4.
American Revolution: The United States Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental Congress, formally announcing and explaining separation from the Kingdom of Great Britain and the creation of the United States.
John Nixon delivers the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence of the United States.
George Washington orders the Declaration of Independence to be read out to members of the Continental Army in Manhattan, while thousands of British troops on Staten Island prepare for the Battle of Long Island.
American Revolution: The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress takes place.
American Revolutionary War: British forces under General William Howe flank and defeat the Continental Army under General George Washington during the Battle of Long Island, with the 1st Maryland Regiment sustaining heavy casualties to cover retreating American troops.
According to American colonial reports, Ezra Lee makes the world's first submarine attack in the Turtle, attempting to attach a time bomb to the hull of HMS Eagle in New York Harbor (no British records of this attack exist).
British–American peace conference on Staten Island fails to stop nascent American Revolutionary War.
American Revolutionary War: British forces successfully land at Kip's Bay, forcing the Continental Army, which was already withdrawing from New York City, to cede control of the lower half of Manhattan Island.
American Revolutionary War: American forces win the Battle of Harlem Heights after General George Washington orders a counterattack on advancing British light infantry.
American Revolution: A fleet of American boats on Lake Champlain is defeated by the Royal Navy, but delays the British advance until 1777.
American Revolutionary War: British troops under General William Howe attack General George Washington's Continental Army and capture Chatterton Hill in the Battle of White Plains during the New York and New Jersey campaign.
American Revolutionary War: British and Hessian units capture Fort Washington from the Patriots.
American Revolutionary War: British forces land at the Palisades and then attack Fort Lee. The Continental Army starts to retreat across New Jersey.
During the American Revolutionary War, the Battle of Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia, comes to an end with the arrival of British reinforcements.
Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest academic honor society in the U.S., holds its first meeting at the College of William & Mary.
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, arranges to enter the American military as a major general.
Thomas Paine publishes one of a series of pamphlets in The Pennsylvania Journal entitled "The American Crisis".
American Revolutionary War: General George Washington and the Continental Army cross the Delaware River at night to attack Hessian forces serving Great Britain at Trenton, New Jersey, the next day.
American Revolutionary War: In the Battle of Trenton, the Continental Army under General George Washington executes a successful surprise attack and defeats a garrison of Hessian forces serving Great Britain.
American Revolutionary War: American forces under the command of General George Washington repulse a British attack led by General Charles Cornwallis at the Battle of the Assunpink Creek near Trenton, New Jersey.
American Revolutionary War: American forces under General George Washington defeat British forces at the Battle of Princeton, helping boost patriot morale.
American Revolutionary War: New Connecticut (present-day Vermont) declares its independence.
American Revolutionary War: American forces are ambushed and defeated in the Battle of Bound Brook, New Jersey.
Sybil Ludington, aged 16, allegedly rides 40 miles (64 km) to alert American colonial forces to the approach of British regular forces.
Continental Army officer Lachlan McIntosh fatally wounds Button Gwinnett, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, in a duel in Savannah, Georgia.
American Revolutionary War: Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette lands near Charleston, South Carolina, in order to help the Continental Congress to train its army.
The Second Continental Congress passes the Flag Act of 1777 adopting the Stars and Stripes as the Flag of the United States.
American Revolutionary War: Siege of Fort Ticonderoga: After a bombardment by British artillery under General John Burgoyne, American forces retreat from Fort Ticonderoga, New York.
American forces retreating from Fort Ticonderoga are defeated in the Battle of Hubbardton.
The U.S. Second Continental Congress passes a resolution that the services of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette "be accepted, and that, in consideration of his zeal, illustrious family and connexions, he have the rank and commission of major-general of the United States."
American Revolutionary War: The bloody Battle of Oriskany prevents American relief of the Siege of Fort Stanwix.
American Revolutionary War: The Americans led by General John Stark rout British and Brunswick troops under Friedrich Baum at the Battle of Bennington in Walloomsac, New York.
British forces abandon the Siege of Fort Stanwix after hearing rumors of Continental Army reinforcements.
American Revolutionary War: During the Battle of Cooch's Bridge, the Flag of the United States is flown in battle for the first time.
American Revolutionary War: Battle of Brandywine: The British celebrate a major victory in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
American Revolutionary War: British forces win a tactically expensive victory over the Continental Army in the First Battle of Saratoga.
American Revolutionary War: British troops capture and begin the occupation of Philadelphia, which had been serving as the American capital city, during the Philadelphia campaign.
American Revolution: Lancaster, Pennsylvania becomes the capital of the United States for one day after Congress evacuates Philadelphia.
American Revolutionary War: Troops under George Washington are repelled by British troops under William Howe.
American Revolutionary War: British forces capture Forts Clinton and Montgomery on the Hudson River.
American Revolutionary War: The Americans defeat British forces under general John Burgoyne in the Second Battle of Saratoga, also known as the Battle of Bemis Heights, compelling Burgoyne's eventual surrender.
American Revolutionary War: British General John Burgoyne surrenders his army at Saratoga, New York.
American Revolutionary War: American defenders of Fort Mercer on the Delaware River repulse repeated Hessian attacks in the Battle of Red Bank.
American Revolutionary War: After 16 months of debate the Continental Congress approves the Articles of Confederation.
San Jose, California, is founded as Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe by José Joaquín Moraga. It is the first civilian settlement, or pueblo, in Alta California.
The United States celebrates its first Thanksgiving, marking the recent victory by the American rebels over British General John Burgoyne at Saratoga in October.
American Revolutionary War: George Washington's Continental Army goes into winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
James Cook is the first known European to discover the Hawaiian Islands, which he names the "Sandwich Islands".
American Revolutionary War: In Paris the Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce are signed by the United States and France signaling official recognition of the new republic.
The United States flag is formally recognized by a foreign naval vessel for the first time, when French Admiral Toussaint-Guillaume Picquet de la Motte renders a nine gun salute to USS Ranger, commanded by John Paul Jones.
American Revolutionary War: Baron von Steuben arrives at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to help train the Continental Army.
Heinrich XI, count of the Principality of Reuss-Greiz, is elevated to Prince by Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor.
American Revolutionary War: The American Continentals engage the British in the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse resulting in standstill and British withdrawal under cover of darkness.
American Revolutionary War: The Iroquois, allied with Britain, massacre 360 Patriot soldiers during the Battle of Wyoming.
American Revolutionary War: U.S. forces under George Clark capture Kaskaskia during the Illinois campaign.
American Revolution: First Battle of Ushant: British and French fleets fight to a standoff.
Constitution of the province of Cantabria ratified at the Assembly Hall in Bárcena la Puente, Reocín, Spain.
The theatre La Scala in Milan is inaugurated with the première of Antonio Salieri's Europa riconosciuta.
American Revolutionary War: British forces begin besieging the French outpost at Pondichéry.
American Revolutionary War: British and American forces battle indecisively at the Battle of Rhode Island.
American Revolutionary War: France invades Dominica in the British West Indies, before Britain is even aware of France's involvement in the war.
The Treaty of Fort Pitt is signed. It is the first formal treaty between the United States and a Native American tribe.
Cherry Valley massacre: Loyalists and Seneca Indian forces attack a fort and village in eastern New York during the American Revolutionary War, killing more than forty civilians and soldiers.
American Revolutionary War: British forces under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell defeat American forces under Major General Robert Howe and capture the port city of Savannah, Georgia.
American Revolutionary War: The Continental Army is routed at the Battle of Brier Creek near Savannah, Georgia.
War of the Bavarian Succession: Russian and French mediators at the Congress of Teschen negotiate an end to the war. In the agreement Austria acquires the Innviertel.
The court-martial for malfeasance of Benedict Arnold, a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, begins.
American Revolutionary War: Spain declares war on the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Great Siege of Gibraltar begins.
Battle of Grenada: The French defeat British naval forces in the Caribbean during the American Revolutionary War.
American Revolutionary War: Light infantry of the Continental Army seize a fortified British Army position in a midnight bayonet attack at the Battle of Stony Point.
American Revolutionary War: The Royal Navy defeats the Penobscot Expedition with the most significant loss of United States naval forces prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
American Revolutionary War: American forces battle and defeat the British and Iroquois forces at the Battle of Newtown.
American Revolutionary War: John Paul Jones, naval commander of the United States, on board the USS Bonhomme Richard, wins the Battle of Flamborough Head.
American Revolution: Samuel Huntington is elected President of the Continental Congress, succeeding John Jay.
The city of Tampere, Finland (belonging to Sweden at this time) is founded by King Gustav III of Sweden.
American Revolutionary War: A combined Franco-American assault on British defenses during the Siege of Savannah is repulsed with heavy casualties.
Source: Wikipedia date pages ("January 1" … "December 31") / CC BY-SA 4.0. Regions are assigned by the site editors.
Dates and events are based on Wikipedia and other references. Summaries and regions are written by the site editors.