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The Sugar Act
A law to successfully reduce the number of smuggling goods. This angered the Colonists greatly due to it being the first tax declared on the New World from Great Britain. -
Patrick Henry's speech
"Give me liberty or give me death." The well-known quote derived from Partick Henry's speech in 1765 was a large kick-starter to the idea of separating from England. His speeches were often very inspiring and he was seen as an intelligent, credible man. -
The Declaratory Act
An act declaring that Britain could take taxes from the colonies and continue to create future act's against them. -
The Boston Massacre
This was a deadly riot where several protesting colonists were shot and killed by British soldiers. The event was heavily publicized by leading Patriots such as Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. -
The Boston Tea Party
A protest where colonists dressed as Native Americans and dumped tea into the Boston Harbor. They dumped a total of 342 chests of tea into the harbor. -
Thomas Paine's Common Sense
An article that was written by Thomas Paine; challenging the authority of the British parliament. -
Valley Forge
A place where George Washington and his men stayed and battled against the elements for almost a year. -
The French Alliance
An alliance between France and America was signed. -
Articles of Confederation
An official statement of the separation of America from Britain, claiming its name as America. It was signed by the 13 original states of the United States of America that served as its first constitution. -
U.S Constitution
An article that was signed and ratified by New Hampshire explaining and declaring Independence and the beginning of an independent nation now known as America. -
The Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia of 55 delegates met to address the problems of a weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. -
The French Revolution
The French Revolution began shortly after the U.S Constitution was signed. It was an evolution that provided a better relationship between the rulers and their people. -
George Washington's Election
George Washington is elected president with all 69 votes of the Electoral College. -
The First State of the Union Address
The State of the Union Address is a yearly address delivered to Congress, usually in January or February. Our first State of the Union Address was given by George Washington in New York City where the Senate Chamber of Federal Hall was located. -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was ratified; establishing the rights of the American people. -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
The machine invented by Eli Whitney which improved the rate of production for textiles; which also kickstarted the mass cotton labor done by African American slaves. -
George Washington's Farewell
George Washington retires as president, and John Adam's was elected as president. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
This was a series of four acts passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Adams. These acts restricted the activities of foreign residents in the country and limited freedom of speech and press among the people. -
The XYZ Affair
The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic happening between French and the United States diplomats that eventually led to an undeclared war, also known as Quasi-War. This incident in which the French attempted to bribe U.S. diplomats in exchange for an agreement that American ships would no longer be attacked. The name comes from the substitution of the letters, X, Y, and Z for the names of French diplomats. -
Alexander Hamilton's Death
Founding father Alexander Hamilton is mortally wounded in a duel with Aaron Burr.
