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Death Penalty established for Disobedient Children
This Massachusetts law imposes the death penalty on children under 16 who refuse to obey their parents. -
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America 1700-1800
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Delaware
Three colonies merge to become the colony of Delaware in 1701. -
Georgia
Created as a "buffer zone" between British Carolina and Spanish Florida, Georgia is granted a charter in 1732. -
Benjamin Franklin begins publishing "Poor Richard's Almanac"
Filled with pithy sayings, Franklin's "Almanac" proved to be perenially popular. -
War of Jenkins' Ear
This war between Spain and England creates tension in the colony of Georgia, as all Georgians are required to fight for Britain. -
Stono Rebellion
The Catholic governor of Florida promised freedom to slaves who will fight for Spain. 69 slaves flee to Florida hoping for freedom. -
Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"
Jonathan Edwards gives his famous sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." -
Parliament forbids acceptance of New England paper money
Paper money issued by the New England colonies cannot be accepted as legal tender, according to this unpopular Act of Parliament. -
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French and Indian War
The French, Iroquois, and colonists fight over land along the Ohio River. The war lasts three years, and the colonists win with the help of British troops. -
Proclamation Line of 1763
King George III honors the 1758 promise to the Iroquois that he would grant them land free of British colonists. He orders the colonists living on this land to move. -
Currency Act of 1764
This Act of Parliament makes it illegal for the American colonies to print their own money, and threatens to destabilize the entire colonial economy. -
Stamp Act of 1765
This controversial act levies the first taxes directly on the American colonies. Wills, dice, and newspapers are among the goods taxed. -
Quartering Act of 1765
Orders each colonial assembly to provide for the needs of British soldiers stationed within their borders. -
Stamp Act Congress
Delegates from 9 colonies meet in New York to petition King George III to repeal the Stamp Act. -
Declaratory Act
This Act of Parliament repeals the Stamp Act, but also establishes the supremacy of Parliament over the American Colonies. -
New York Assembly Suspended
In response to New York's refusal to comply wiht hte 1765 Quartering Act, Britian suspends the New York assembly. -
Townshend Duties
"Champagne Charlie" levies this tax on paper, paint, lead, glass, and tea imported to the colonies. -
Virginia Resolves
Written by George Mason, these Resolves given in the Virginia House of Burgesses introduce the idea of "no taxation without representation." In response to the reading of the Resolves, Virginia's Royal governor dissolves the House of Burgesses. -
Boston Massacre
This mysterious incident starts when shots are fired while British troops patrol the streets of Boston. It ends in a shootout between the British troops and colonists, and is widely publicized by the American media as a British aggression. -
Tea Act
The Act responsible for inciting the Boston Tea Party, the Tea Act gives the East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies. -
Boston Tea Party
In this celebrated event, 20-130 men board British tea ships and dump 347 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. -
First Continental Congress
56 delegates from all the American colonies except Georgia meet in Philadelphia to create a Declaration of Rights and Grievances. Their goal is to gain representation in Parliament and the repeal of the Intolerable Acts. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
British General Gage, ordered by King George to put down unrest, sends troops to find the rebel leaders in Boston. 77 American colonists meet his British forces outside Lexington, and when a shot is fired, a gunfight begins in which 8 colonists lose their lives. Gage's forces march to Concord, but are met by a larger force of colonists and are forced to retreat. -
Second Continental Congress
The colonial delegates meet a second time to create an army and send an 'olive branch' petition to King George III asking him to help avoid war. When King George refuses to receive the petition, the Second Continental Congress becomes the defacto national government. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
In this battle, 1600 colonists inflict high casualties on 2000 British soldiers. -
"Common Sense" published
Thomas Paine's pamphlet urging revolution is published anonomously. -
British troops evacuate Boston
As British forces officially leave Boston, they are shelled by the American rebels. -
Ratification of the Declaration of Independence
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Washington's Christmas Attack
In this decisive victory for the Continental Army, George Washington leads his forces across the Delaware River in the dead of night for a surprise attack on the Hessian mercenaries fighting for the British. It ends with 686 Hessians and numerous supplies captured. -
France becomes the first to recognize American Independence
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King George offers to end the Revolutionary War
England's Prime Minister Lord North sends word to America that King George III is willing to end the war on the terms demanded in July 1776. -
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Articles of Confederation
As America's first government after British rule, the Articles of Confederation were a short-lived experiment with the confederacy system of government. -
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Valley Forge
While stationed at Valley Forge, the Continental Army endures a grueling winter with meager supplies. -
Battle of Sarotoga
Referred to as the "Turning Point" of the Revolutionary War. American forces surround General Burgoyne's troops at Saratoga, forcing them to surrender. -
British Capture of Savannah
As part of the British plan to move South, their forces capture Savannah, Georgia. -
Benedict Arnold commits Treason
Arnold offers to sell West Point to the British, and is arrested by the Americans. He goes to fight for the British against colonial forces. -
British Surrender at Yorktown
Washington attacks the British at Yorktown after learning that French reinforcements are coming and will block off British supply lines. Surrounded, the British forces surrender to Washington. -
Treaty of Paris
After the House of Commons votes to end the war in America, the Treaty of Paris is created to grant America independence and all land from the Appalachians to the Mississipi River. In return, the Americans promise not to prosecute Loyalists. -
Shay's Rebellion
Angry at high taxes, a group of farmers led by Daniel Shay lead a rebellion that threatens to collapse the nation. -
Constitutional Convention
55 delegates meet in Philadelphia to create a new government to replace the failing Articles. -
Ratification of the Constitution
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George Washington becomes America's first President
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Bank of the United States Created
The first incarnation of the National Bank had a 20 year charter and was intended to be a secure repository for government funds. -
Whiskey Rebellion
Financially burdened by Hamilton's grain tax, western farmers attack a western Pennsylvania tax office. Washington leads 13,000 troops to put down the rebellion. -
Eli Whitney patents the Cotton Gin
An invention which would revolutionalize the economy of the South, the cotton gin made cotton production profitable. -
Jay Treaty
Orchestrated by John Jay, this treaty between Britain and America results in the British reimbursing America for their stolen ships and evacuating forts in the United States. -
John Adams becomes President
In this contested election, John Adams became president after receiving 71 of the 70 votes needed to win. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
These two unpopular acts made it possible for the President to deport foreign citizens and fine those who publish statements critical of the US Governent. -
George Washington Dies
