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First comprehensive Virginian Slave Code passed
In 1705, the House of Burgesses in Virginia passed its first comprehensive slave code. This severely limited slave's rights. Among other things, the code meant a sale owner could not be convicted of murder if they killed a slave, but a black man would be severely whipped for striking a white colonist. -
Start of the Great Awakening
In the winter of 1734, the first of the religious revivals of what would come to be known as the Great Awakening started. Starting in Massachusetts, the religious revivals eventually spread through all 13 colonies. Lasting for several decades, the revivals would have a profound impact on colonial culture and would help to contribute to the feeling of individuality that would eventually lead to American independence. -
Start of the Seven Year's War
In 1756, what would come to be known as the Seven Year's war began. Embroiling thousands of French and British colonists, as well as many Indians, the war would eventually end in a British victory. In the war, the British gained control of French Canada and large portions of territory west of their American colonies. Difficulty controlling these gains, as well as the debt incurred it the war, would eventually lead to strife and revolution in the colonies. -
Start of Pontiac's War
In 1763, an Indian prophet named Neolin allegedly received a vision from his god that ordered him to wage war and cast of the American colonists. This war would eventually be started by an Ottawa leader named Pontiac, and involve Indians from all across British North America. Although Pontiac would eventually settle for peace with the British, it did result in the British banning settlement west of the Appalachian mountains. -
Stamp Act passed
Needing to raise money to pay back its massive war debts, the British government passed the Stamp Act in 1765. This act required many documents to be stamped, such as newspapers and even playing cards, and the cost of these stamps would generate revenue. However, the measure proved wildly unpopular in the colonies, leading to an embargo of British goods throughout major ports. The resistance eventually led the Stamp Act to be repealed in February of 1766. -
Declaration of Independence signed
On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, declaring the colonies to be an independent nation from Britain. The document mainly focused on specific grievances that the colonies had with British rule. Although the declaration was not the start of the Revolutionary war, it was when the colonies officially declared themselves to be independent. -
Treaty of Paris signed
After the Continental Army won a decisive victory in the Battle of Yorktown, delegates from the colonies and Britain signed the Treaty of Paris in 1783, securing American independence, and effectively ending the Revolutionary War. -
U.S. Constitution adopted
After national debate, the revised U.S. Constitution was adopted on July 2nd, 1788. The new document fixed the many issues of the earlier Articles of Confederation and provided the basis for the American government. The Constitution also did away with the loosely connected states of the Article of Confederation and laid the groundwork for the cohesive nation that exists today.