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French and Indian War
The British and French go to war over North America that ends on November 3, 1763. This is important because it creates a lot of debt for Britain causing them to tax the colonies. This is important to US history because it was the first major conflict involving the colonies that built up frustration.
November 3, 1763 -
Tea Act
This was the date the British put a tax on imported tea for the colonists. This is important because it was one of the first few taxes that annoyed the colonists. This was important to US History because it was ‘the last straw” that lead the colonists to rebel. -
Boston Tea Party
This is when colonists rebelled and snuck onto a British tea ship and threw barrels of tea overboard. This is important because it was one of the first acts of physical rebellions from the colonists. This is important to US history because this was the first act of aggression towards the British that showed the colonists were serious in their want for independence. -
Lexington and Concord
This was when the British and colonists exchanged their first shots. This is important because it marked the start of the American revolution. This is important to US history because it showed the colonists were ready to go to war over their independence. -
Declaration of Independence
This was when the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed. This is important because it was the colonists separation letter to Britain. This is important to US history because it guarantees so of our birth rights (right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness). -
Battle of Saratoga
This was the battle fought in New York from September 19 to October 17 in 1777. This is important because it marked turning point of the war with the French officially join the efforts of the colonists. This is important to US history because it motivated the colonists to finish off the war and gain their independence. -
Battle of Yorktown
This was the battle in New York that ended in October 19, 1781. This is important because it ended the war and gained America its independence from Britain. This is important to US history because it gave Americans a sense of pride and independence they never experienced before. -
Treat of Paris
This was the treaty between America and Britain that negotiated America's independence. This is important because it gave America its official freedom from Britain. This is important to US history because it showed the world that America achieved independence and gave America some credibility.
September 3, 1 -
Signing of Constitution
This is the American system of government officially finished in 1788. This is important because it was the new form of government that gave Americans freedom that didn’t exist elsewhere in major countries. This is important to US history because it was and still is the best form of government ever introduced in the world. -
Bill of Rights
These are the first 10 amendments added to the constitution that protect individual rights. This is important because it dismissed skeptics that thought the constitution alone didn’t fully protect individual rights. This is important to US history because it guarantees us 10 rights that are hard to take away protecting us from a powerful government. -
Southern Succession
This was when the south separated itself from the United States to become the confederacy. This is important because it showed that the south not going to agree with the north on issues. This is important to US history because it lead to the increased tensions between the north and south that led to the civil war. -
Fort Sumter
This was when the Confederacy fired shots at Fort Sumter, a Union fort. This is important because it was the first shots fired in the civil war. This is important to US history because it would lead to the civil war which would bring tremendous change to the new United States of America. -
Homestead Act
This was the law that opened settlement in the Great Plains allowing people the opportunity to become landowners. This is important because it allowed millions of people to purchase and sell land increasing population. This is important to US history because it was one of the most significant laws passed to increase westward expansion. -
Battle of Gettysburg
This was the 3 day battle fought in Pennsylvania from July 1 to July 3 in 1863. This is important because it was the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil with a total of 50,000 casualties. This is important to US history because it ended the Confederacy's chance of winning the war.
July 3, 1863 -
13th Amendment
This was the amendment that abolished slavery that was passed in 1865. This is important because it abolished slavery, a major cause of the civil war. This is important to US history because it was the very first step taken on the long path to equal rights among everyone.
