-
French and Indian War Ends
The Treaty of Paris officially ended the war. The British won and took control of their lands that were claimed by France. The British thought the colonists should pay to replenish the British treasury. -
Navigation Acts
Laws passed by the British Parliament. They put restrictions on trade in the colonies. Contributed to the colonists drive for the revolution. -
Stamp Act
Enacted by the British Parliament. Levied taxes on legal documents- dice, newspapers, cards..
Colonists boycotted and rioted, and it fueled the revolution. -
Boston Massacre
A mob threw stones and snowballs at British soldiers which resulted in the soldiers firing back. Five colonists were killed which further fueled the colonists to fight for independence. -
Tea Act
Granted the British East India Company the right to ship tea directly to the colonies. Colonists believed it violated their rights because they had “taxation without representation”. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists frustrated because of “taxation without representation” dumped tea into the Boston Harbor. This event caused even more tension between Britain and the colonies. -
Intolerable Acts
Passed after the Boston Tea Party, the laws were meant to punish the colonists. The Quartering Act and Boston Port act were some that were passed. The acts caused an outrage, which soon led to the First Continental Congress. -
First Continental Congress
55 delegates from 12 colonies gathered in Philadelphia. They discussed how to respond to the Intolerable Acts and declared the laws to violate the peoples rights. -
Lexington and Concord
This was the first battle in the Revolutionary War. It was the battle starting with the “shot heard round the world”. The British were forced to march back to Boston and it persuaded many Americans to join the cause. -
Second Continental Congress
Met in Independence Hall. The Congress established a Continental army. They elected George Washington as Commander-in-Chief as they were preparing for war. They also drafted an Olive Branch Petition. -
Declaration of Independence
Written mostly by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence declared the colonies as an independent nation. -
Battle of Saratoga
The American victory persuaded the French to provide military assistance and realize American Independence. It was the turning point in the war. -
Winter at Valley Forge
Hundreds of troops died from disease, cold, and hunger. George Washington was still able to transform the the army into a strong force that was able to defeat the British. -
Battle of Yorktown
It was the last major battle of the revolution. The British army was forced to surrender at the hands of George Washington and it was the start of independence for the new nation. -
US Constitution Written
Written during the Constitutional Convention. The goal was to create a powerful yet fair government. It was created to protect the rights of the people and divide power between the federal government and the states. -
US Constitution Adopted
When New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify it, the Constitution became official. It ensured a more stable centralized government by producing three equal branches.