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Virginia House of Burgesses
This was the first elected elected assembly of the colonies was. These assemblies held the power of the purse. These elected could approve new taxes and spending and also had some control over the governor.
This picture shows the letter from the Virginia House of Burgesses to George Washington, stating a petition for the non-importation of British Goods. -
Mayflower Compact
This was when several colonies came up with an agreement for the governing of the new colony. The assemblies were not very democratic but they came up with a principle that the colonists couldn’t be taxed except by their elected representatives.
“...the loyall subjects of our dread soveraigne Lord, King James, . . . haveing undertaken, for the glorie of God ... a voyage to plant the first colonie in the Northerne parts of Virginia…”
This is the real text of the colonists agreement. -
French and Indian War
French against the Indians in North America from 1754 to 1763. Britain won the war and it gained Canada and Ohio valley. Britain stationed more troops in the colonies which then they argued they should have to pay taxes for their defense.
This map shows the attack plan on Ticonderoga. This attack was supposed to go into action on May 29th, 1759. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was the Parliament’s way of taxing the Americans. They had to buy stamps to place on their deeds, mortgages, liquor licenses, playing cards, almanacs and newspapers. The colonists were so mad about the taxation. Each of its four sides is painted portraying the struggle against the stamp act. -
Boston Tea Party
The British passed the Tea Act, which angered the colonists. A group of colonists dressed up as Indians and boarded a ship filled with tea and dumped it into the water.
This picture shows the colonists dressed as Indians and dumping the tea into the boston harbor. -
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Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was the first form of government for the colonies. It had two bodies of representatives from the colonies. This congress would declare things from England during their meetings.
“to these grievous acts and measures, Americans cannot submit, but in hopes their fellow subjects in Great Britain will, on a revision of them, restore us to that state, in which both countries found happiness and prosperity, we have for the present” -
Battles at Lexington and Concord
Militia troops from Massachusetts battled with British soldiers which began the American Revolution.
“Forewarned by Paul Revere, American militiamen fought 800 British troops on April 19th, 1775. The battle broke out at Concord. Seventy-three British soldiers were killed and over 200 were wounded. The Americans lost 49 soldiers and suffered 39 wounded. This marked the beginning to Revolutionary War.”
This picture is showing the battle between the British and the militia. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson. It said that the new nation will have no more connections with England. Also the government would have the right to levy war, make peace, make alliances and trade.
“United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved”
