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The Great Awakening/The Enlightenment
Two conflicting bodies of thought in the 1740s that challenged ideas about authority in the colonists. Promient speakers like John Locke and George Whitefield challenged colonists to question their perspectives on authority figures. Locke advocated that human nature is a blank slate and people are formed by their environment and that aristocrats weren't any more superior than others. Whitefield encouraged a personal relationship with God, and ministers served as a barrier between people and God. -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War officially begins in Britain, with a coalition of European countries attacking the British-ally Prussia. This then sparked the beginning of British troops flooding into America to fight the war. -
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The French and Indian War Continued
After decisive victories overseas, Britain could focus on sending troops to North America to continue the war. British troops marched to Canada, attacking promient French cities/ports, eventually bringing about the fall of French Canada with the capture of Montreal. The British continued to fight against the Spanish in 1762 but eventually ended the war with the treaties of Paris and Hubertusburg in 1763. This war gave Britain claim to Canada and allowed George Washington to rise to prominence. -
King George takes the Crown
King George III receives the British Crown, his reign marks a new period of British rule, as he was the first monarch to lose hold of the American colonies and inspired a revolution in America. -
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Pontiac's War
An Indian uprising inspired by the words of a prophet named Neolin. Pontiac tried to take Fort Detroit with 300 other Natives, the plan had failed, but then sparked uprisings against the British by other Natives. The Natives attacked many British forts, killing about 2400 soldiers and settlers combined. The war eventually ended in 1766 with Pontiac settling for peace with diplomat William Johnson at Fort Ontario. -
Royal Proclamation of 1763
Created the proclamation line marking the Appalachian Mountains as the boundary between the British colonies and land held controlled by Native Americans. -
Sugar Act
Cut the duty of molasses and increased military enforcement to combat smuggling. Stated that smugglers were to be tried by vice-admiralty courts rather than juries. -
Currency Act
Restricted the amount of paper money, the colonies, however, had a scarce amount of gold and silver, which impeded transatlantic enconomies. The colonists began to fear increased taxing and reduced liberties. -
Stamp Act
Stated that all documents printed in the colonies had to be on paper, including newspapers, diplomas, playing cards, etc. Then created an internal tax, when colonists were used to an external tax. This act affected numerous grounds including printers, lawyers, graduates, and saliors. -
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Stamp Act Congress
As a result of the Stamp Act being put in place, 9 delegates met to discuss the act and appropriately respond to it. The delegates issued the "Declaration of Rights and Grievances" which declared the colonists loyalty to the King, but that they were to be considered Britons as well. They advocated for a trial by jury and taxing by representatives, as well as the right to not be taxed by Parliament, as colonists were not represented by them. -
Son's of Liberty
In a form of protest to the recent Stamp Act passed, the Sons of Liberty were a form of directed and organized resistance in Boston. -
Stamp Act Repealed
In response to the violent protesting by the colonists, the Stamp Act was repelled to try and dull the violence. In its place the Declaratory Act was passed to assert Parliament's authority. -
Townshend Act
Created a custom on lead, glass, paint, tea, and other items instead of establishing direct taxes. The act created and strengthened formal mechanisms, creating an American Board of Customs Commissioners and more vice-admiralty courts. The revenues gained would be used to pay British officers and officials, and strengthened the British presence in America. This act, much like the Stamp Act, was met with opposition by the colonists. -
Boston Massacre
As a result of Britain sending more regiments in 1768 to enforce the acts put in place, a crowd of colonists gathered in Boston. This crowd hurled snowballs at the Sentry, escalating into more violent actions until the British fired. Five people died in the shooting, including Crispus Attucks. The British tried for admiralty and won an acquittal. Britain soon afterward repelled all of the duties put in place except the one on tea. -
The Regulating and Tea Acts
To aid the East India Company, Britain put these two acts in place. The Regulating Act was used to put the company underneath government control. The Tea Act allowed the company to sell tea to the colonies without an import, which greatly lowered the cost of tea but was met with opposition. This opposition was mostly in principle, as by buying the tea, they would recognize Parliament's right to tax them. -
Boston Tea Party
The Tea Act stated that the duty had to be paid for the tea when the ship unloaded. As a result, the Sons of Liberty met to prevent the ships from unloading the tea, which had worked. They then met on December 16 dressed as Mohawks to dump the tea into the harbor. The Boston Tea Party marks one of the biggest forms of resistance and sparks other tea parties in multiple towns. -
Coercive Acts
Four different acts put in place after the Boston Tea Party. The Boston Port Act, which shut down the harbor and any trade taking place there. The Massachusetts Government Act, which put the colonial government under British control. The Administration of Justice Act, which allowed royals to be tried in Britain instead of the colonies. And the Quartering Act, which forced colonists to host the British army to quarter in their homes. A committee of correspondence was then created to respond. -
First Continental Congress Convened
As a result of the Coercive Acts, the Continental Congress convened to form a response. They issued the Declaration of Rights and Grievances set place during the Stamp Act Congress to ensure the colonists were treated as equals. They also issued the Continental Association to unite and direct the 12 governments, establish economic and moral policies, and empower the colonists. Afterward, two factions begin to emerge, with Loyalists supporting Britain and neutrals trying to stay peaceful. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The first battle of the American Revolution. British regiments were sent to seize the arms and gunpowder of colonists. The town militia quickly met with them in opposition. Britain ordered for them to stand down and the first shot was fired, soon becoming known as the Shot Heard Around the World. The battle then continued all the way to Concord, with minute men finally chasing the British back to Boston. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The American Militia sent fortifications to Breeds Hill. the British, in an attempt to dislodge the fortifications, met the army in opposition. They quickly lost and suffered severe casualties. Soon after this battle the Continental Congress adopted the militia and formed an army with George Washington as the Commander in Chief. -
Common Sense
Due to recent debates about independence, Thomas Paine writes a pamphlet called Common Sense, which advocated for independence, denouncing the monarchy and challenging British logic. -
Declaration of Independence
The colonists declare independence from Britain in the document, listing their grievances with Britain and establishing their own revolutionary government -
Battle of Long Island
A British attack on the Continental base after sending a large fleet to New York. This was an attempt to move against the Continental Army and seize control of New York. The plan worked, with the Continentals suffering extreme losses before retreating to New Jersey. -
Battle of Trenton
After crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night, George Washington launched a surprise attack on Hessian troops at Trenton. The Hessians, with 1400 troops under Colonel Johann Rall, were unprepared for Washington's assault and quickly surrendered to the Contentials. -
Battle of Princeton
Under the leadership of General Cornwallis, Washington launched another surprise attack on the British. He ordered 500 of his men to stay behind and keep the campfires going while the rest of them marched north to Princeton. Washington then sent General Hugh Mercer to destroy a nearby bridge and soon afterward broke through the British line. This battle resulted in a Continental victory. -
Battle of Saratoga
A turning point in the American Revolution and a pivotal victory for the Continental Army. After the defeat of Joh Burgoyne, the Contentials gained the support of the French, Dutch, and Spanish, and further boosted morale in the troops. -
Treaty of Amity and Commerce
Officially turned the American Revolution into a full-fledged war, this treaty was an alliance with France to aid America in the war. Eventually, this led to conflicts between Britain and France. -
Articles of Confederation Ratified
A system of laws ratified by the Continental Congress. It allowed each state one vote, stated that Congress has no power to levy or collect taxes, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, or establish a federal judiciary. -
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Battle of Yorktown
The final battle of the American Revolution in Yorktown Virginia. Due to increased focus on the southern colonies, America had an advantage over the British, especially with French aid. The plan was another surprise attack, with the Contentials sneaking into British camps in the middle of the night. They were not supposed to fire a single shot, inside using up-close weapons. After encircling Cornwallis' men, the army prompted a quick surrender. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty that ended the American Revolution, with peace negotiations taking place in France and America finally winning their independence. -
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Shay's Rebellion
An uprising led by Daniel Shay and other farmers. Stated that tax laws favored trade at the expense of agriculture, with farmers demanded that the property taxes need to be reduced. This rebellion as a whole threatened the collapse of the newly established nation and showed the need for a stronger central government. -
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Constitutional Convention
Convened to discuss the issues of the Articles of Confederation and how to revise them to fix those issues. 55 delegates met in Philadelphia to propose each one of their ideas. The Virginia and New Jeresy Plans were proposed during this time, establishing a system of laws. The Constitution also goes into effect during this time, being ratified by 9 of the 13 states. As well, James Madison writes the Bill of Rights during this time. -
George Washington Elected
George Washington is unanimously chosen as the first president of the United States. He chooses his vice president as John Adams and establishes a cabinet of 5 people. When elected as president, Washington solidifies the creation of the Constitution and the use of it as a federal document. -
Whiskey Rebellion
A direct result of Hamilton's tax on whiskey. Since grain was a valuable cash crop in America, the tax proved to be a burden on western farmers, who then rebelled as a result. The farmers adopted protest methods used in both the Revolution and Shay's Rebellion. Washington, however, quickly sent troops, and the farmers scattered. The rebellion overall sparked ideas about the consequences of taxing unfairly. -
The Bank of the United States
Established by Alexander Hamilton, the Secretary of Treasury in George Washington's Cabinet. The bank proposed a charter for 20 years in 1791 and suggested to secure repository for the government, provide loans to the federal government, and manage the nation's money supply. -
Cotton Gin
Invented by Eli Whitney, the cotton gin was a revolutionary invention that changed the United States as a whole. The cotton gin revolutionized agriculture, making it easier to remove seeds from cotton plants. This changed the south, and southern slavery entirely, eventually leading to what is now known as the Antebellum South. -
Election of 1796
Between John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, and Thomas Pinckney. John Adams barely won the election, with Thomas Jefferson coming in second and being his vice president. This election is an important part of the American government, as it signifies two different parties controlling the country. -
Election of 1800
Between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, the election of 1800 was a pivotal election. The election ended in a tie 35 times until Jefferson emerged victorious on the 36th time. The election began known as a "bloodless revolution" with the Republicans believing they had saved America from an aristocratic takeover.