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French Indian War
A conflict between Britain and France, with Native American tribes aligning with both sides. The war was part of the broader Seven Years' War. Britain’s victory gave them control over large parts of North America but left them with massive debt. -
Navigation Acts
A series of British laws designed to control colonial trade, making sure the colonies traded primarily with Britain. These acts limited colonial independence and angered the colonists. -
Stamp Act
A law requiring colonists to pay taxes on paper goods like newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. This was a direct tax on the colonies and was one of the early sparks of protest. -
Quartering Act
A law that required American colonies to provide housing and supplies to British soldiers stationed in America. This was another source of tension between the colonies and Britain. -
Townshend Acts
A series of taxes on imported goods such as tea, glass, and paper, which were meant to raise revenue for Britain. These acts led to widespread protests in the colonies. -
Boston Massacre
A violent clash between British soldiers and Boston colonists, where five colonists were killed. It was used as propaganda by colonial leaders to fuel anti-British sentiment. -
Second Continental Congress
A convention of delegates from the 13 colonies that met after the start of the Revolutionary War. -
Boston Tea Party
In protest of the Tea Act, a group of colonists (the Sons of Liberty) boarded British ships and threw 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This led to harsher British retaliation. -
Intolerable Acts
Also known as the Coercive Acts, these laws were Britain’s response to the Boston Tea Party. They closed Boston Harbor, restricted colonial self-government, and allowed British officials accused of crimes to be tried in Britain, among other measures. -
Olive Branch Petition
An attempt by the Second Continental Congress to avoid full-scale war with Britain. It was a final plea for peace, asserting loyalty to the British Crown while requesting an end to hostilities. King George III rejected it. -
Battle of Lexington & Concord
The first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. British troops attempted to seize colonial arms at Concord, and colonial militia confronted them at Lexington, sparking the war. This is famously known as "The Shot Heard Around the World." -
Common Sense
A pamphlet by Thomas Paine that argued for American independence from Britain. It was widely read and helped persuade many colonists that revolution was necessary. -
Declaration of Independence
The formal statement adopted by the Second Continental Congress, declaring the colonies’ independence from Britain. -
Daniel Shays’ Rebellion
A series of protests by struggling farmers in Massachusetts, led by Daniel Shays, against economic injustices and the lack of government response. -
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of the United States, it established a weak central government with most powers reserved to the states. It was soon found to be ineffective, leading to the Constitutional Convention.