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Virginia passes its first comprehensive slave code
While Virginia had specific laws in the context of slavery, this was its first comprehensive bill. It established laws about runaway slaves, violence among slaves, and many other issues. -
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The 1st Great Awakening
The 1st great awakening is widely considered to have started by Johnathan Edwards when he preached the sermon " Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". This sermon drew an emotional response for those who heard it. it would go on to inspire hundreds of preachers and lead to revival throughout the colonies. This awakening helped to foster a sense of intellectual independence among the colonists. -
Stono Rebellion
The Stono Rebellion was a slave rebellion which occurred in South Carolina. About 80 slaves were involved in an attempt to escape to Florida. While the Attempt was unsuccessful, it proved the intelligence and resolve of enslaved Africans -
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The French and Indian War
Also known as the Seven Years War, this conflict began in North America but soon became an international Conflict. In North America, the Conflict focused mostly on the Ohio River Valley. The early years of the war were dominated by the french, but as time wore on the English gained more and more advantages. When Quebec was taken by English forces, the conflict was practically finished. The Treaty of Paris was signed and hostilities came to a point of secession. -
The royal proclamation of 1763
This proclamation forbade colonization west of the Appalachian Mountains. This was meant to reduce the number of conflicts between colonists and natives. However, all it really did was frustrate the colonists -
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Various Acts by Parliament Which Agitated the Colonists to Revolution
There are many laws that I decided to group them into one tab, I listed them with a short description bellow.
The Sugar Act 1764 Increased enforcement on duties of molasses, anyone caught smuggling molasses would no longer be allowed trial by jury.
The Currency Act 1764 Invalidated any paper money printed in the colonies.
The Stamp act 1765 Documents printed on paper needed a stamp that indicated that all duties were paid, repealed 1766.
Townshend acts 1767 -Taxed common items repealed 1770. -
The Boston Massacre
As tensions between the crown and the colonies rose, British troops began to be sent to Boston to keep the peace. One evening, a crowd began to harass British troops. Eventually the redcoats fired upon the crowd, killing five of them -
The Boston Tea Party
Parliament passed tea act which basically allowed the East India Company a monopoly on tea sale in the British colonies. The Colonists opposed this in principle but couldn't send the tea back to England. So one night they dressed as Mohawk Indians, boarded the ships, and dumped the tea into the harbor. -
The Coercive Acts
Also called the intolerable acts by the colonists, these acts were intended to punish Boston for its rebellion. But it served to create a feeling of unity between the colonies, who came to support Boston. -
The first meeting of the continental congress.
The Continental Congress met for the first time to discuss the coercive acts. They wrote a list of grievances to be sent to the king, and wrote the Continental Association. They also decided to cease all trade with Britain. -
War Breaks Out
A number of British troops set out toward Lexington and Concord to destroy rebel supplies of powder and munitions. They were met by militia in Lexington, where fighting soon ensued. As the British retreated to Boston, more and more militia joined in. Eventually the colonists set up fortifications in breeds hill. -
Independence is declared
The Continental Congress met again to discuss the idea of independence. In the end, Thomas Jefferson was called upon to draft a Declaration of Independence. -
Washington crosses the Delaware
As the war went on and winter grew colder, the continental Army needed a victory. In a daring surprise attack, George Washington crossed the Delaware river on the night of Christmas, in order to attack Hessians camped in Trenton, New Jersey. The attack was a success -
The Construction is ratified
The Constitution survives to this day as the governing document of our nation. It strikes a balance between the power of the government and the rights of the people brilliantly, and it still stands as a testament to American ideals. -
General Cornwallis Surrenders to Washington
General George Cornwallis was camped out at Yorktown, Virginia waiting for reinforcements. However, Washington and the French were able to surround him before any help could come, forcing Cornwallis to surrender. -
The war Officially Comes to an End
The treaty of Paris officially ended the war and gave America its independence.
