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French-Indian War (1756-1763)
Or Seven Years War, was a war between Great Britain and the French over territory in the New World. The French and Indian War is the reason England had debt. -
Navigation Acts (1763)
Acts passed by England to restrict the colonies trades. This was done to promote the self-sufficiency of Britain. -
Stamp Act
First tax given directly to the colonists. It required a stamp on most papers and documents that taxed the colonists. -
Quartering Act
Required colonists to provide food, living space, transportation, and many other things to the British army stationed in America. -
Townshend Acts
Series of measures that required taxes on the colonists glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. -
Boston Massacre
A mob of patriots attacked the British soldiers, who fired at the crowd resulting in the death of 5 colonists and the injury of others. -
Boston Tea Party
When colonists dumped tons of British tea into the Boston Harbor. Some were dressed as native americans. -
Intolerable Acts (aka Coercive Acts)
Laws passed by the British Parliament as punishment to the colonists for the Boston Tea Party. -
Olive Branch Petition
A petition appealing directly to King George III, expressing hope for reconciliation between the colonies and Great Britain. This was the colonists final attempt at avoiding war. -
Battle of Lexington & Concord (aka “The Shot Heard Around the World”)
This battle marked the the start of the American War for Independence. -
Second Continental Congress
A meeting of delegates from the thirteen colonies soon after the American Revolutionary War started. During this Congress they declared America's Independence from England. -
Common Sense
Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine advocating for the colonies independence from Great Britain. -
Declaration of Independence
Document officially stating the thirteen colonies independence from Great Britain's rule. -
Articles of Confederation
The first written constitution of the United States. -
Daniel Shays’ Rebellion
An uprising in western Massachusetts protesting high taxes and poor economic conditions. Led by Daniel Shay. -
Constitutional Convention (aka Philadelphia Convention)
The event took place to decide how America was going to be governed. It addressed the problems of the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation.