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Navigation Acts
Promoted self-sufficiency of the British Empire by restricting colonial trade to England and decreased dependency on foreign imported goods. This angered the colonies. -
French & Indian War ends
The British won against the French and their Native American Allies, but it caused the British treasury to go into a lot of debt, so they taxed the colonists. -
Stamp Act
Passed by the British government, it taxed items such as newspapers and pamphlets. The colonists felt this was an attack on their rights, coining “No taxation without representation “ -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers opened fire and killed 5 colonists out of a large group who were protesting the Stamp Act and Townsend Acts. This helped to unite the colonists against the British. -
Tea Act
Granted the British East India Tea company a monopoly on tea sales. It was the cause of the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
A group protested a tax on tea by throwing tea into the harbor. The British imposed harsh laws and the other American colonies rallied to help Massachusetts. -
Coercive/Intolerable Acts
Series of punitive laws passed by the British after the Boston Tea Party to punish the colonists, but instead caused the colonies to band together to create the First Continental Congress. -
First Continental Congress
Created to discuss Britain’s harsh moves against Massachusetts. 12 of the 13 colonies met and decided to boycott British goods. -
Lexington and Concord
The battles were in Massachusetts and were the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. There was the “shot heard around the world” and cause many Americans to support gaining independence from Britain. -
Second Continental Congress
Established the Continental army with George Washington in command and voted to declare independence from Britain. -
Declaration of Independence adopted
American leaders signed their names pledging to the cause of the United States of America. This officially announced separation from the British. -
Winter at Valley Forge
Continental troops suffered from cold, hunger, and disease. George Washingtonheld the ragged army together. The experience reshaped the army and demonstrated Americans’ resilience. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Americans won against the British, and that caused the French to recognize the American’s independence. -
Battle of Yorktown
With the help of the French, Washington forced the British army to surrender in Yorktown, VA. This signified the end of the war. -
U.S. Constitution written
Written by James Madison, the Constitution turned the United States into a federal republic. It gave the government power to act on a national level, but also gave individuals rights. -
U.S. Constitution adopted
Became the official framework for the government, containing the Bill of Rights and establishing the three branches of government. This prevented the government from becoming too powerful.