1754–1763 - French and Indian War

Israel Putnam was a military veteran who was affectionately known as “Old Put.” He served bravely at the Battle of Bunker Hill, but fell out of favor with George Washington after he failed against British forces in New York and Philadelphia.

Peyton Randolph was a lawyer, politician, and planter from Virginia who rose to prominence during the American Revolution. Randolph served as Speaker of the House of Burgesses and the first President of the Continental Congress in 1774. His leadership was important to the Patriot Cause, earning him the nickname “The Father of Your Country.”

George Read was a lawyer and statesman from Delaware who is most famous for signing the Declaration of Independence, despite voting against the Lee Resolution. Read also served as the Governor of Delaware and Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court.

Thomas Ringgold was a merchant and politician from Maryland. He participated in the Stamp Act Congress in 1765.

Caesar Rodney was a well known soldier, politician, and judge from Dover, Delaware. He is a Founding Father because he signed the Declaration of Independence and participated in key events that shaped the American Revolution, including the Stamp Act Congress, First Continental Congress, and Second Continental Congress.

Robert Rogers was a frontiersman who rose to fame during the French and Indian War. He is known for founding Rogers' Rangers and his "28 Rules of Ranging." Although he died poor and destitute, his memory is kept alive by the United States Rangers and popular culture.

David Rowland was a politician from Connecticut. He was a delegate to the Stamp Act Congress in 1765.

Timothy Ruggles was a lawyer, soldier, politician, and judge from Massachusetts. He participated in the Stamp Act Congress in 1765. In 1774, he was appointed by Governor Thomas Gage to be a Massachusetts Mandamus Councillor.

The Rule of 1756 allowed Great Britain to seize ships from neutral nations trading with its enemies during wartime. It started to bring an end to Salutary Neglect in the American Colonies and later contributed to the tensions that caused the War of 1812 between the United States and Britain.

John Rutledge was a successful lawyer from Charleston, South Carolina. He is important because he participated in key events that shaped the American Revolution, including the Stamp Act Congress, First Continental Congress, Second Continental Congress, and Constitutional Convention.

Salutary Neglect was an unwritten policy of the British Government that encouraged American officials to neglect the enforcement of laws in Colonial America. The policy allowed both American and British merchants to flourish. However, when the government reversed the policy, it helped cause the American Revolution.

Salutary Neglect timeline, dates, and events associated with the unwritten policy that allowed the American Colonies to grow relatively unchecked until the end of the French and Indian War. This timeline presents key moments in the history of the American Colonies in chronological order that were affected by the concept of Salutary Neglect and Britain’s reversal of the policy.

Sermons in Colonial America were religious teachings presented by ministers and other spiritual leaders during church services. Ministers often merged religion with politics, especially during the American Revolution.

The Seven Years' War (the French and Indian War) is Topic 3.2 in the AP US History curriculum. It covers the French and Indian War and the effects of the British victory on the American Colonies. In the aftermath of the war, British colonial policy changed, leading to disagreements between Americans and British officials, primarily over Taxation Without Representation.

John Sevier was a farmer, soldier, and politician who is most famous for the role he played in establishing the territory that became Tennessee, the 16th State in the Union. Sevier helped win the Battle of Kings Mountain during the American Revolutionary War and later was Governor of Tennessee.

Roger Sherman is a Founding Father. He was a delegate from Connecticut to the Continental Congress, Confederation Congress, and Constitutional Convention. He served on the Committee of Five that produced the Declaration of Independence. Later, he helped develop the Great Compromise, which set up the bicameral legislature of the Federal Government.

William Smallwood was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is most famous for his actions at the Battle of Camden, which earned him a promotion to Major General, and his ongoing issues regarding the service of foreign-born officers serving in the Continental Army.

South Carolina Colony was part of the larger Carolina Colony until 1712, when North Carolina became its own province. The first European settlers entered the region in the 16th Century, but the first permanent English settlement was not established until 1670. Afterward, South Carolina developed a strong plantation culture based on tobacco, rice, and indigo, which was supported by a large enslaved population. In 1776, South Carolina joined the other colonies in declaring independence from Great Britain and establishing the United States of America.

General John Thomas was an officer in the Massachusetts Militia and the Continental Army during the first year of the American Revolutionary War. Thomas is most well-known for securing Dorchester Heights in Boston, forcing the British to evacuate the city in 1776.