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French and Indian War
With the French and Indian War over, many colonists saw no need for soldiers to be stationed in the colonies. Britain also needed money to pay for its war debts. The King and Parliament believed they had the right to tax the colonies. They felt as though they were being treated unfairly since they had no representation. -
Boston Massacre
British troops fire into a mob of Americans, killing five men and leading to public protests. -
Boston Tea Party
Due to the tax that was being put on the tea, the Americans decided to throw it overboard in protest. The Americans dumped more than 300 crates of tea overboard as a protest against the British tea tax. -
First Continental Congress meets
Delegates from each of the 13 colonies except for Georgia met in Philadelphia to organize colonial resistance to Parliament's Coercive Acts. -
Period: to
The American Revolutionary War
War of independence fought between Great Britain and the 13 British colonies in North America. Battles of Lexington and Concord between the British Army and colonial men, mark the beginning of the war. Great Britain formally acknowledges American independence in the Treaty of Paris, which officially brings the war to a close. -
The Declaration of Independence is signed
Continental Congress put into place the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. -
Articles of Confederation
Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation, the first U.S. constitution. Established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain. -
Shay's Rebellion
Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays led an armed rebellion in Springfield. Farmers from New Hampshire to South Carolina took up arms to protest high state taxes and stiff penalties for failure to pay. -
Washington is elected
George Washington is unanimously elected president of the United States. -
Constitution is Ratified
U.S. Constitution is ratified by nine states. -
Bill of Rights
It guaranteed civil rights and liberties to the individual. It sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the Federal Government to the people or the States. -
Cotton Gin is created
The cotton gin increased the demand for cotton making slavery increase. -
John Adams was inaugurated
