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French-Indian War
The French-Indian War (1754-1763) was fought between Britain and France over land in North America, with both sides supported by various Native American tribes. The war began over territorial disputes, particularly in the Ohio River Valley. It grew into a global conflict, drawing in colonial forces from both Europe. The Treaty of Paris in 1763 ended the war, with France losing most of its North American territories. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts, passed in 1767, were a series of laws that taxed imported goods like glass, paper, and tea in the American colonies. The revenue was used to pay British officials in the colonies, reducing the colonies' control over local government. Colonists viewed these taxes as another form of tyranny since they had no representation in Parliament. Widespread protests and boycotts led to the eventual repeal of most of the Townshend duties, except for the tax on tea. -
Navigation Acts (1763)
The Navigation Acts were a series of laws passed by Britain to regulate colonial trade and ensure that it benefited the British economy. In 1763, the acts were enforced more strictly, requiring that certain goods from the American colonies only be shipped to Britain or other British colonies. These laws limited the colonies' trade options, restricting their ability to trade freely with other countries. The goal was to increase British profits and control colonial commerce. -
Stamp Act (1765)
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a British law that required colonists to pay a tax on printed materials, including newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. The tax was imposed to help Britain pay off debts from the French-Indian War. Colonists strongly opposed the act, arguing that it violated their rights since they had no representation in Parliament. The widespread protests led to the act being repealed in 1766, but it set the stage for further conflicts between Britain and the colonies. -
Quartering Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a British law that required colonists to pay a tax on printed materials, including newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. The tax was imposed to help Britain pay off debts from the French-Indian War. Colonists strongly opposed the act, arguing that it violated their rights since they had no representation in Parliament. The widespread protests led to the act being repealed in 1766, but it set the stage for further conflicts between Britain and the colonies. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, was a statement by the American colonies declaring their independence from Britain. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it outlined the reasons for separation. The document emphasized natural rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and rejected the idea of British authority over the colonies. It marked the official beginning of the United States as an independent nation and fueled the Revolutionary War. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770, when British soldiers opened fire on a crowd of colonists protesting in Boston. Tensions had been rising due to the presence of British troops and various unpopular laws. Five colonists were killed, fueling anti-British sentiments and sparking outrage across the colonies. The event was used by colonial leaders like Paul Revere and Samuel Adams to rally support against British rule and to spread the message of British oppression. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party took place on December 16, 1773, when American colonists, protesting the Tea Act, boarded British ships in Boston Harbor. They dumped 342 chests of tea, worth thousands of dollars, into the water to protest the tax on tea and Britain’s control over colonial trade. The event was a direct response to Britain’s attempt to force the colonies to buy tea from the British East India Company. -
Intolerable Acts (aka Coercive Acts)
The Intolerable Acts, also known as the Coercive Acts, were a set of laws passed by Britain in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party. They closed Boston Harbor until the destroyed tea was paid for, limited colonial self-government, and allowed British officials to be tried in Britain for crimes committed in the colonies. These acts were seen as punitive measures aimed at suppressing colonial resistance. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was a final attempt by the American colonies to avoid full-scale war with Britain. It was adopted by the Continental Congress in July 1775, offering peace and reaffirming loyalty to King George III if he would address colonial grievances. The petition called for the repeal of oppressive laws and an end to hostilities. However, King George III rejected the petition and declared the colonies in a state of rebellion, pushing the colonies closer to war. -
Battle of Lexington & Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord, fought on April 19, 1775, was the first military engagement of the American Revolutionary War. British troops were sent to seize colonial weapons in Concord, but they were met with resistance in Lexington, where the first shots were fired. The colonists then forced the British to retreat back to Boston, suffering heavy losses along the way. The battle marked the beginning of open conflict between Britain and the American colonies. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress convened in May 1775, shortly after the start of the Revolutionary War. It brought together colonial leaders to coordinate the American response to British aggression. The Congress created the Continental Army, appointed George Washington as its commander, and eventually declared independence from Britain in 1776. -
Common Sense
Common Sense was a pamphlet that argued for American independence from Britain. Paine criticized British rule and the monarchy, arguing that it was unnatural for a large continent like America to be controlled by a distant island. His powerful, straightforward language inspired many colonists to support the cause for independence. Common Sense played a significant role in shifting public opinion and laying the groundwork for the Declaration of Independence. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, was the first constitution of the United States. It created a weak central government with limited powers, giving most authority to the individual states. While it successfully managed the country through the end of the Revolutionary War, it struggled to address issues like taxation and interstate trade. The Articles were eventually replaced by the U.S. Constitution in 1789 due to their inability to effectively govern the growing nation. -
Daniel Shays’ Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion, which took place in 1786-1787, was an armed uprising led by former Revolutionary War soldier Daniel Shays. The rebellion was sparked by economic hardships, high taxes, and aggressive debt collection, which severely impacted farmers. The insurgents aimed to close courts and prevent foreclosures on their properties. It highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and pushed for a stronger central government, leading to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. -
Constitutional Convention (aka Philadelphia Convention)
The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia in 1787, was a meeting to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Delegates from 12 of the 13 states gathered to revise the government structure. The resulting U.S. Constitution established a stronger central government with separate branches and a system of checks and balances. The Convention's work was key in shaping the nation’s future and was followed by the ratification of the Constitution in 1789.