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Writ of assistance
A writ of assistance is a written order issued to a law enforcement official to do a certain task. -
French and Indian War
This was a 7 year war that was the result of a collision between the growing French and British empires. The two rivaling empires fought three inconclusive wars and then in 1754 after 6 peaceful years the conflict began once again which was named the French and Indian War -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was an agreement signed in Paris that acknowledged the independence of America and set the boundaries of British and American land. -
Proclamation of 1763
This established a proclamation line along the Appalachians which the settlers were not allowed to cross. -
Sugar Act and colonists response
The Sugar Act halved the duty on foreign made molasses, it placed duty on certain imports that had not been taxed before, and it provided that colonists accused of violating
the act would be tried in a vice-admiralty court rather
than a colonial court. Merchants complained that the Sugar Act would reduce their profits. They also complained they had no right to tax the colonists because they did not have representatives. -
Stamp Act and colonists response
The Stamp Act of 1765 imposed a tax on all written documents in the colonies. They would place a tax on the document to know it has been paid. The colonists were so angered by the law that in May of 1765, they decided to unite against the law. -
Sons of Liberty is formed and Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams formed a revolutionary group called the Sons of Liberty. Their goal was to resist the British and Boycott British goods. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act asserted parliaments full right to bind the colonies and people of America in all cases whatsoever. -
Townshend Acts and colonists response
The Townshend Acts taxed goods that were imported into the colonies from Britain. The colonists were again angered by this law and boycotted goods lead by the rebel leader Samuel Adams. They were repealed because of the boycotting. -
Tea Act
An act proposing a tax on tea, the most popular drink in the colonies. -
Boston Massacre
A mob of Americans were protesting against British redcoats and then the redcoats fired and killed or mortally wounded 5 colonists. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of Boston's rebels dressed up as Native Americans dumped 18,000 pounds of the East India Company's tea into the harbor. -
First Continental Congress meets
In September 1774, 56 delegates met in Philadelphia to draw up a declaration of colonial rights. -
Intolerable Acts
Three acts formed out of the anger of the British King, The first was the closing of Boston's harbor. The second made it so citizen's were forced to shelter British soldiers in their homes. The third was the placing of Boston under Martial, or military, law. -
Minutemen
Minutemen were civilian soldiers who
pledged to be ready to fight against the British on a minute’s notice. -
John Locke's Social Contract
John Locke's social contract was an agreement in which the people consent to choose and obey a government so long as it safeguards their natural rights. -
Midnight Riders: Revere, Dawes, Prescott
These three men road out at midnight to warn the minutemen that 700 British troops were headed for Concord. -
Battle of Lexington
The first battle of the revolutionary war which lasted only 15 minutes. -
Battle of Concord
The Battle of Concord fared well for the minutemen as they were ready with 3,000- 4,000 troops. They left many of the redcoats humiliated for the adversary they put up. -
Second Continental Congress
Colonial leaders called together the second meeting to discuss political affairs in the colonies. They debated between further fighting for independence or reconciliation with the British. They appointed George Washington as leader. -
Continental Army
This was the name the second Continental Congress appointed the colonial militia to be named. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The deadliest battle of the war. The British lost 1,000 men and the Continental Army lost 450 men. The redcoats were sent up the hill to attack militia men that were already on the hill which resulted in the death of many redcoats. -
Olive Branch Petition
A request to the British King for harmony between the British and Americans. -
Publication of Common Sense
Common Sense was written by a British immigrant named Thomas Paine. He wrote that the root of all British suffering comes from the royal brute the King. -
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson was the author of this declaration. The declaration revolves around the independence of the colonies and everyone's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. -
Loyalists and Patriots
Loyalists were those who stayed loyal to the King's rule and the patriots were the rebels who fought for freedom among the colonies. -
Redcoats push Washington's army across Delaware River into Pennsylvania
This took place in late August On the Delaware River. The troops were poorly trained and not well equipped. -
Washington's Christmas night surprise attack
It took place on the Delaware River on Christmas night. The redcoats were not prepared at all for an attack on Christmas Eve. -
Saratoga
Burgoyne planned to meet troops as they were heading up from New York. This forced Burgoyne to surrender from being surrounded. -
French American alliance
The French signed a document which put them in an alliance with the U.S fighting the British. -
Valley Forge
Where Washington and his army fought while they were low on supplies and disadvantaged. -
British victories in the South
These took place in 1780 in the southern colonies such as Charles Town and Yorktown. Having the General Cornwallis helped them -
British surrender at Yorktown
October 19, 1781. French Naval force blocked the entrance to Chesapeake Bay. -
Treaty of Paris
Confirmed U.S independence and established boundaries. -
Friedrich Von Steuben and Marquis de Lafeyette
These were European military leaders who came to help train the Continental Army.