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Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement that dominated in Europe during the 18th century. The ideas of the Enlightenment played a major role in inspiring the French Revolution, which began in 1789 and emphasized the rights of the common men, as opposed to the exclusive rights of the elites. -
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French & Indian War
The French and Indian War resulted from ongoing tensions in North America as both French and British imperial officials and colonists looked to extend each country’s influence. The war had been very expensive, and the British government’s attempts to impose taxes on colonists to help cover these expenses, -
Sons of Liberty
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The Sons of Liberty was a secret organization that was well organized. The origins and founding of the Sons of Liberty is unclear, but history records the earliest known references to the organization to 1765 in the thriving colonial port cities of Boston and New York. -
Stamp Act of 1765
The Stamp Act was the first direct tax used by the British government to collect revenues from the colonies. The American reaction to the stamp act was intense because they thought of it as a violation to there rights. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770 when British soldiers in Boston opened fire on a group of American colonists killing five men. This event was a very important part of history because it caused the colonies to unite against Britain. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest caused by Britain's debt.The British government felt the taxes were fair since much of its debt was earned fighting wars on the colonists’ behalf. -
Battles of Lexington & Concord
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The battles of Lexington & Concord were the very first battles with military engagement of the American Revolution. The leader of the militiamen in Lexington was Captain John Parker. A lot of his soldiers, around 25% of them, were his relatives. -
Olive Branch Petition sent to England
The Olive Branch Petition was a final attempt by the colonists to avoid going to war with Britain during the American Revolution. It was a document in which the colonists pledged their loyalty to the crown and asserted their rights as British citizens. -
Declaration of Independence adopted
The Declaration of Independence was the first formal statement by a nation’s people believing their right to choose their own government. By the following summer, with the Revolutionary War in full swing, the movement for independence from Britain had grown, and delegates of the Continental Congress were faced with a vote on the issue. -
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Battle of Yorktown
Was also known as the siege of Yorktown ending on october 19, 1781. The significance of the conflict was that Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington as French and American forces trapped the British at Yorktown. -
Treaty of Paris signed
The Treaty of Paris, signed in Paris by representatives of King George III of Great Britain and representatives of the United States of America officially ended the American Revolutionary war. The treaty established generous boundaries for the United States. -
3/5 Compromise
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The 3/5 compromise was between the northern and southern states of the united states.The taxes that the Three-Fifths Compromise dealt with were "direct" taxes, as opposed to import taxes. -
Constitutional Convention
This convention was originally set up to revise articles of confederation but it was clear others had bigger plans. The point of the event ended up being the decision of how American was going to be governed. -
The Great Compromise
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise. It was an agreement made between large and small states which partly defined the representation each state would have under the United States Constitution, as well as in legislature. -
Bill of Rights adopted
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments guarantee essential rights and civil liberties, such as the right to free speech and the right to bear arms, as well as reserving rights to the people and the states.
