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Stamp Act
Taxed all printed items- such as marriage licenses, newspapers, diplomas and more than 50 other items. Colonists did not think this was fair since they did not have any representation in the British Parliament. The colonists started to organize protests and denounced the act as an attack on colonial liberties. -
Townshend Acts
A new set of taxes and rules that taxed a number of items, such as: paint, glass, paper, and tea. The colonists once again protested and started to boycott British goods. This was a very effective strategy. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of colonists boarded three ships loaded with tea in the Boston harbor dressed as Native Americans. They tossed the tea overboard into the harbor as a protest against the Townshend Acts. -
First Continental Congress
The first meeting of the delegates from the colonies to discuss the outrages against the British. -
Lexington and Concord
The British and colonial militia met up in the village green in Lexington. The British ordered the militia to return to their homes. When they turned to leave, a shot rang out. The first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired. "The Shot heard around the world." -
Second Continental Congress
Delegates gathered to discuss their next step against the British. They established the Continental Army and voted George Washington as the Commander of the Continental Army. -
Independence
The Declaration of Independence was signed. -
Battle of Saratoga
Turning point of the war. American troops forced the surrender of the British troops. This victory demonstrated to the French that the Americans could win the war, so the French began an open war against the British and supplied the new nation with military assistance. -
Valley Forge
Genral Washington and the Continental Army who were poorly clothed and fed spent the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge. Many troops died from lack of clothing and medicine. Over 2,000 soldiers deserted. -
Articles of Confereration
The first set of laws setting up the new government for the new nation. -
Battle at Yorktown
Final battle of the War. With the help of the French the Americans were able to capture two British posts, leading to the final British surrender. The Treaty of Paris was not signed until September, 1783. -
Constitution signed
The constitution established the new government and the prinicipal ideas of the United States. -
Bill of Rights
The first ten Amendments to the constitution were ratified.
