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Navigation Acts
These acts stated only English ships were allowed to bring goods into England. North American colonies were only allowed to export commodities such as sugar and tobacco to England. -
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French & Indian War
It was part of the Seven Years War between France and Great Britain. Britain had war debt and wanted the colonists to pay. British colonies and French colonies were battling over who would control what parts North America. Frontier policy and war expenses led to the discontent of colonists, eventually leading to the American Revolution -
Stamp Act
Paper goods were taxed during this act. This angered the colonists and they began to petition. There was a boycott on British goods. The act was later repealed. -
Townshend Acts
A tax was placed on tea, lead, paint, paper, and glass. -
Boston Massacre
British Soldiers shoot on unarmed crowd of protestors. Five were killed and six were injured. -
Boston Tea Party
The Townshend Act was repealed, but the British kept a tax on tea. The colonists were angered, so protestors dressed as Native Americans dumped tea in the Boston Harbor. -
The Intolerable Acts/Coercive Acts
The Boston port was closed in order to convince the colonists to pay for the tea that was destroyed. The royal government banned town meetings. Boston legislature was suspended. British officials accused of crimes had to stand trial in Britain. The Quartering Act allowing British troops to house and board in unoccupied colonial buildings and homes. -
Constitutional Convention
Delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies met in Philadelphia. They petitioned King George II for a "redress of grievances," -
Battle Of Lexington & Concord
British troops marched on Concord to confiscate military supplies or the rebels. Militia (Patriots) met them in Lexington and fighting took place along the remainder of the march. These were the first shots of the Revolutionary War. -
Second Continental Congress
This was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that formed in Philadelphia after the start of the American Revolutionary War. It preceded the First Continental Congress. This convention was originally gathered to discuss the Articles of Confederation, but ended up writing the Constitution. -
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American Revolutionary War
A revolution by American Patriots in the thirteen colonies to British rule. It resulted in American Independence. -
Olive Branch Petition
John Dickinson wrote this document. This was the colonists' last attempt to avid going to war with Britain during the American Revolution. The colonists pledged their loyalty to the crown and stated their rights as citizens of Britain. -
Common Sense
This was a forty-seven page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. This pamphlet argued for American Independence and helped with the spread of ideas. -
Declaration of Independence
A document composed to notify King George III of why and how the thirteen colonies were separating from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson was the main author of this document. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston were also involved. -
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Articles Of Confederation
This document created a "league of friendships". After a bad experience with King George II, individuals feared a strong central/national government. There was one vote per state in Congress. There were no executive and judicial branches. Treaties could be made with other nations. Laws and amendments could be made. Taxes could not be enforced and trade was not regulated. There was not a common currency. This document was adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777 and ratified in 1781. -
Daniel Shays' Rebellion
Land was being confiscated for overdue taxes. Individuals could not afford the taxes and soldiers were not paid. Daniel Shays led a revolt with farmers attacking the court. This rebellion demonstrated the weaknesses of the Articles Of Confederation.
