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Navigation Acts (1763)
Any products sold or shipped to and from the colonies had to be shipped on British ships built in England or the 13 colonies. The Acts prohibited colonies from exporting specific, set out products to countries other than Britain and those countries' colonies, and mandated that imports be sourced only through Britain. The British Navigation Acts gave Britain control of any imports that came to Europe, which expanded their control and influence in Europe. -
French-Indian War (1763)
The Seven Years' War, which took place between 1756-1763, was a global conflict that spanned five continents, though it was known in America as the “French and Indian War.” After years of battles between England, Spain and France in North America, England officially declared war on France in 1756. The war provided Great Britain enormous territorial gains in North America -
Stamp Act (1765)
The act required the colonists to pay a tax, represented by a stamp, on various forms of papers, documents, and playing cards. It was a direct tax imposed by the British government without the approval of the colonial legislatures and was payable in hard-to-obtain British sterling, rather than colonial currency. The tax also included fees for playing cards, dice, and newspapers. The reaction in the colonies was immediate. -
Quartering Act 1765
The Quartering Act, enacted in 1765 by the British Parliament, was a significant piece of legislation that mandated the colonial governments to provide housing, food, and other necessities for British soldiers stationed in the American colonies. This act was born out of the need to maintain a standing army in North America after the costly French and Indian War, but it quickly became a source of tension between the colonies and Britain. -
Townshend Acts (1767)
The Townshend Acts, passed in 1767, imposed duties on imported goods like tea, glass, and paper in the American colonies. They aimed to raise revenue for Britain and assert control. The Acts sparked significant resistance, leading to boycotts and tensions that contributed to the American Revolution. Key events, like the Boston Massacre in 1770, intensified opposition, eventually leading to the repeal of most duties in 1770, except for tea. -
Boston Massacre ( 1770)
The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770, when British soldiers opened fire on a crowd of colonists in Boston, killing five and wounding several others. Tensions had escalated due to British taxation and military presence in the colonies. The incident was heavily publicized by colonial leaders, particularly Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, who used it to galvanize anti-British sentiment. The soldiers involved were tried, and two were found guilty of manslaughter. -
Boston Tea Party (1773)
The Boston Tea Party took place on December 16, 1773, when American colonists, frustrated by British taxation without representation, dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor. This act of protest was a response to the Tea Act, which granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies. The event escalated tensions between Britain and the colonies, leading to the implementation of the Coercive Acts in 1774, which further united colonial resistance. -
Intolerable Acts (aka Coercive Acts) (1774)
The Intolerable Acts, known as the Coercive Acts in Britain, were enacted in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party. This series of four laws aimed to punish Massachusetts and assert British authority. Key measures included closing Boston Harbor until the dumped tea was paid for, revoking Massachusetts' charter, and allowing royal officials to be tried in Britain for crimes committed in the colonies. -
Battle of Lexington & Concord (aka “The Shot Heard Around the World”) ( 1775)
The Battle of Lexington and Concord occurred on April 19, 1775, marking the start of the American Revolutionary War. British troops aimed to seize colonial military supplies in Concord but encountered armed resistance in Lexington, where the famous "shot heard 'round the world" was fired, though the identity of the shooter remains unknown. The confrontation led to a retreat for British forces back to Boston, with significant colonial militia resistance along the way. -
Olive Branch Petition (1775)
The Olive Branch Petition was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 5, 1775, as a final attempt to avoid a full-scale war with Britain. Drafted primarily by John Dickinson, it sought to affirm loyalty to King George III while requesting a ceasefire and negotiation regarding colonial grievances. However, the petition was rejected by the king, who deemed the colonists in rebellion. This rejection, along with increasing violence. -
Second Continental Congress ( 1775)
The Second Continental Congress convened on May 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, following the outbreak of hostilities in the American Revolutionary War. It served as the de facto national government for the colonies during the conflict. Key figures included George Washington, who was appointed commander of the Continental Army, and John Hancock, who served as president of the Congress. The Congress addressed military matters, issued the Olive Branch Petition to seek reconciliation with Britain -
Common Sense (1776)
"Common Sense," written by Thomas Paine and published in January 1776, was a pivotal pamphlet advocating for American independence from Britain. Paine argued that monarchy was an illegitimate form of government and that the colonies had the right to self-govern. The pamphlet was widely distributed and resonated with many colonists, helping to shift public opinion in favor of independence. It sold over 100,000 copies and played a crucial role in motivating the revolutionary movement. -
Declaration of Independence ( 1776)
The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, was a formal statement declaring the American colonies' separation from Britain. Primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson, it outlined key Enlightenment principles, asserting that all men are created equal and have unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The document listed grievances against King George III, justifying the break from British rule. . -
Articles of Confederation (1781)
The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1781 as the first constitution of the United States. They established a loose confederation of states with a weak central government, reflecting the colonists' fear of centralized authority. The Articles granted Congress limited powers, including the ability to declare war and make treaties, but lacked the authority to tax or regulate commerce. -
Daniel Shays’ Rebellion ( 1787)
Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising that took place from 1786 to 1787 in western Massachusetts, primarily led by former Revolutionary War soldier Daniel Shays. The rebellion was fueled by economic distress, including high taxes and debt, which disproportionately affected rural farmers. Protesters aimed to close courts and prevent the seizure of their lands due to unpaid debts. The rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation -
Constitutional Convention (aka Philadelphia Convention) ( 1787)
The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, took place from May to September 1787. Delegates from twelve of the thirteen states gathered to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Key figures, including George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin, debated and drafted a new framework for government. The result was the U.S. Constitution, which established a stronger federal government with a system of checks and balances.