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The Treaty of Paris (1763)
The Treaty of Paris formally ends the French and Indian War. France cedes most of its territories in North America to Great Britain, but Louisiana west of the Mississippi River is ceded to Spain. -
The Sugar Act
It was a revenue-raising act passed by the Parliament of Great Britain. Reduce the rate of tax on molasses from six pence to three pence per gallon, but ensured the new tax could be collected by increased British military presence and controls. -
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The First Continental Congress
In 1774, leading colonists held a convention. Delegates appealed to the British government to stop taxing the colonies. The British government refused. -
Declaration of Independence
Congress adopted a Declaration of Independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. This document declared American independence and expressed Enlightenment ideas about the natural rights of people. The Declaration stated that certain truths were "self-evident". -
Thirteen Colonies
The Thirteen Colonies were a group of British colonies on the east coast of North America founded in the 17th and 18th centuries that declared independence in 1776 and formed the United States. -
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The Articles of Confederation
The 13 states adopted their first federal constitution. Under the Articles of Confederation, most power remained with the states. The Articles granted the federal government only certain limited power.Congress had the power to declare and conduct war and could regulated trade with foreign countries and with Indian nations. -
Treaty of Paris (1783)
The Treaty of Paris, signed in Paris by representatives of King George III of Great Britain and representatives of the United States of America, ended the American Revolutionary War. Britain acknowledged the United States to be sovereign and independent. The treaty set the boundaries between the British Empire and the new country, on lines "exceedingly generous" to the United States. Details included fishing rights and restoration of property and prisoners of war. -
The Land Ordinance
The Land Ordinance, created a system for surveying and selling the land to settlers. -
The Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance, described how territories should be governed and how they could become full-fledged states. -
Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution guarantee certain basic rights and freedoms.
