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French Indian War
The French and Indian War was a conflict between Britain and France over control of North America. Both sides, supported by Native American allies, fought for dominance in the Ohio River Valley. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763, where France lost most of its North American territories to Britain, setting the stage for future tensions leading to the American Revolution. -
Navigation Acts
The Navigation Acts were a series of laws passed by Britain in the 17th century to regulate colonial trade and ensure that it benefited England. These laws restricted the colonies from trading with countries other than Britain and required certain goods to be shipped only on British vessels. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a British law that required colonists to purchase a stamp for every printed document, including newspapers, legal papers, and playing cards. This act was one of the first direct taxes on the American colonies and led to widespread protests, contributing to growing resentment towards British rule. -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act of 1765 required American colonists to provide housing, food, and supplies to British soldiers stationed in the colonies. This law was seen as an infringement on colonial rights and added to tensions between the colonies and Britain. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts of 1767 were a series of laws that imposed duties on imported goods like glass, paper, and tea in the American colonies. These acts led to widespread protests and boycotts, as colonists saw them as another form of taxation without representation. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770, when British soldiers opened fire on a crowd of colonists protesting against British troops in Boston, killing five people. This incident fueled anti-British sentiment and was used as propaganda by colonial leaders to rally support against British rule. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party occurred on December 16, 1773, when American colonists, protesting the Tea Act, boarded British ships in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea into the water. This act of defiance against British taxation was a key event that escalated tensions and led to the outbreak of the American Revolution. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts (also known as the Coercive Acts) were a series of punitive laws passed by Britain in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party, including closing Boston's port and limiting colonial self-government. These acts were seen as harsh and oppressive, further uniting the American colonies in resistance to British rule. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was a final attempt by the Continental Congress in 1775 to avoid full-scale war with Britain, asking King George III to address colonial grievances and restore peace. The petition was rejected, leading the colonies to move toward declaring independence. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress convened in May 1775, shortly after the outbreak of the American Revolution, to manage the colonial war effort and organize resistance against Britain. It ultimately created the Continental Army, appointed George Washington as its commander, and issued the Declaration of Independence in 1776. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, was the first military confrontation of the American Revolutionary War, where British troops clashed with colonial militias. The skirmishes resulted in a British retreat to Boston, marking the beginning of open conflict between the colonies and Britain. -
Common Sense
Common Sense (1776), written by Thomas Paine, was a pamphlet that argued for American independence from Britain, presenting the case in clear, accessible language. It played a crucial role in persuading colonists to support the revolution, challenging the legitimacy of monarchy, and advocating for a republican government. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, officially declared the American colonies' separation from Britain and outlined the principles of individual rights and government by consent of the governed. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it listed grievances against King George III, justifying the colonies' decision to seek independence. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, establishing a weak central government with limited powers, primarily focused on foreign affairs and defense. The Articles ultimately proved ineffective, as they lacked the power to enforce laws, regulate trade, or raise revenue, leading to their replacement by the U.S. Constitution in 1789. -
Daniel Shay's Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion (1786-1787) was an armed uprising led by Daniel Shays, a former soldier, against economic injustices and the harsh tax policies in Massachusetts. The rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, prompting calls for a stronger central government and leading to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a meeting held in Philadelphia to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and create a new framework for the U.S. government. The result was the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which established a stronger federal government with a system of checks and balances.