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Virginia House of Burgesses addresses slavery in law
Virginia adds four codes to their law addressing slavery.
1. Slave marriage is not recognized
2. Slaves are property
3. Children born to a slave are slaves, no matter the father
4. Tithes must be given to the church based on the value of slaves owned -
The Great Awakening
Large crowds gather to hear sermons in a wide Christian revival, causing many new denominations to appear and strengthening the presence of Christianity in colonial lives. -
Stamp Act
England passes a law that places a heavy tax on all paper products, such as stamps, playing cards, and newspapers. This leads to heavy pushback from the colonies as they become increasingly unable to afford both paper products and other necessary things for survival. -
Quartering Act
England passes as a law allowing all British soldiers stationed in the colonies to stay in colonists' homes. The law forced all colonists to care for soldiers that stayed in their homes, as well. -
Declaratory Act
England passed a law that declared the English king's word as law, allowing anything he wished to be carried out legally. This was much to the dismay of the colonies, as it allowed the king to completely dismiss anything they said. -
Boston Massacre
A riot broke out in the streets of Boston, with shots fired by the standing British soldiers. Due to British soldiers being involved, a trial by jury was involved in hearing the case, and Son of Liberty John Adams defended the British in court as a lawyer. -
First Continental Congress
56 delegates from across the colonies met to gather ideas and petition the English king for reform of colonial laws. It was disbanded soon after when England completely dismissed the list of grievances delivered by the Congress. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
While it is unknown who initiated the battle, the first shot of the battle occurred in Lexington, starting the revolutionary war against the British and the colonies. It is referred to as the "shot heard round the world" due to its initiation of the revolutionary war. -
Declaration of Independence written
A document declaring separation of the american colonies and England was written and set after copious debate and editing by founding fathers. -
Battle of Saratoga
A major turning point in the revolutionary war, as General Burgoyne's English army surrendered after direct attack from the colonial militia. After the surrender, France began supporting the colonies in the war as they believed that they could win.