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Navigation Acts
Acts of parliament to increase self reliance for Britain by restricting colonial trade to England in order to decrease its dependence on imports. -
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French and Indian War/7 Years War
Global conflict between Great Britain, France, and their allies. The British victory expanded their territory in the Americas, but but greatly hurt their wallet. This would lead to them increasing taxation of American colonists. -
Stamp Act
A tax imposed on the colonies in order to raise money for Britain. Taxed newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, dice, and playing cards. While not being much of an economic burden, the tax enraged many colonists. -
Boston Massacre
Harassment of a group of British soldiers escalated into the soldiers opening fire on a crowd, killing five. This event increased tensions between Britain and the colonies. -
Tea Act
British Parliament passes the Tea Act to save the East India Company from going bankrupt by lowering the tea tax it had to pay to the British government. This made the East India Company have a monopoly on the American Tea trade. This will inspire the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
At Griffin’s Wharf in Boston, American colonists dressed up as native Americans and dumped 342 chests of tea into the ocean. This was a reaction to the taxes imposed on them, despite not having any say in British parliament. “Taxation without representation”. -
Intolerable/Coercive Acts
Acts passed by the British Parliament to force the colonists into submission. These acts focused specifically on Boston, only allowing food and firewood into port, banning town meetings, giving the royal governor more power. These acts would inspire the First Continental Congress. -
First Continental Congress
A meeting of representatives from all colonies (except for Georgia) to discuss a boycott of British goods if the intolerabelste acts were not recanted. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The British were there trying to seize colonists weapons. The battle was started by a gunshot that forced the British to attack. This started the American Revolutionary War. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was a meeting of delegates to create a strong enough government to stand up to the British in the war. -
Declaration of Independence
A document formally severing political connections with Britain and declaring basic rights. Created as a response to the Intolerable Acts. -
Battle of Saratoga
A failed flank by the British ended up giving the Americans a win. This established America as a force not to be written off. The second battle ended on Oct 7, 1777. -
Winter at Valley Forge
The Continental Army retreated from Philadelphia to escape from the British. They wintered in Valley Gorge in unsanitary conditions, without proper supplies. This marks a low point for the revolutionary cause. -
Siege of Yorktown
The battle at Yorktown was a victory won in joint by the French and American forces. The British defeat at Yorktown ended military operations of the war. The battle ended on October 19th, 1781. -
American Constitution
Created to establish a more central government. 39 of 55 delegates signed the constitution. Many of those who didn’t sign, did so because the constitution lacked a bill of rights. One delegate refused to sign due to the constitution’s protection of slavery and the slave trade.