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Navigation Acts
Were meant to control trading and manufacturing in America. However smuggling was common since the acts weren’t overly imposed. These acts effected America’s economy and eventually led to colonies resistance of the laws and taxes enforced by the British. -
French and Indian War ends
After the war with France, England needed money to pay for the costs caused by the war. This caused Parliament to tax the colonies because the war was to protect them. -
Stamp Act
This act taxed printed works such as newspapers and pamphlets. The colonists did not like being taxed because they did not have anyone to represent them in Parliament. This gave them no say in decisions that effected them. This caused some colonists to revolt. -
Boston Massacre
When a group of colonists began to throw stones and snowballs at British soldiers. This led the soldiers to fire at the colonists, killing five. This caused outrage throughout the colonies. -
Tea Act
The tax on tea was actually a good thing for the colonists. It was a British monopoly and it was sold directly to the colonists making it cheaper. However the tax was still made by a Parliament without a representative for the colonists. Leading to revolts such as the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
To protest the tea tax some colonists threw tea into the harbor. When Parliament passed laws to punish Massachusetts other colonies joined together to help Massachusetts. -
Coercive/ Intolerable Acts
These acts were meant to punish the colonists after the Boston Tea Party. The collection of acts closed Boston Harbor, allowed British soldiers to stay in people’s private homes, had British officials sent to England to be tried and other laws that were not ideal to the citizens of Massachusetts. These acts outraged the colonists and caused another push for revolution. -
First Continental Congress
Representatives from twelve colonies (excluding Georgia) met to in order to discuss the recent incidents in Massachusetts and what actions the colonies should take. This causes the colonies to work together and began to communicate their grievances with Britain. -
Lexington and Concord
These battles were the first of American Revolution. Not long after Congress met again and formed the Continental army with George Washington leading. -
The Second Continental Congress
After the battles of Lexington and Concord, Congress met for a second time. They created the Continental Army and made George Washington general. They also voted if they should declare independence and form their own government, the vote was unanimous. Which caused them to make the Declaration of Independence. -
Declaration of Independence adopted
The document was written by Thomas Jefferson and held many enlightenment ideas. The document states that everyone has certain rights and it is the government’s job to protect them. It explains that the British has abused its power and has failed to protect these rights. Which gives the colonists the right to revolt. The leaders of the nation signed the Declaration of Independence despite it being an act of treason against Britain. This caused American to begin to become its own country. -
Battle of Saratoga
In this battle the Americans won against the British. This convinced France to start an alliance with America. They gave the American troops supplies, trained soldiers, and ships. It also led Spain and the Netherlands to join the alliance. -
Winter at Valley Forge
The Continental army stationed at Valley Forge had to face the disease, cold temperatures, and lack of supplies during the winter. However under the command of George Washington, they trained to fight against the British with the help of their French allies. -
Battle of Yorktown
This battle ended the American Revolution with the British surrendering. The Americans had outlasted the British and the war had become too expensive. This caused the eventual signing of the Treaty of Paris two years after the battle. -
The Writing of the U.S. Constitution
With war over Congress created the Articles of Confederation. These failed and Congress met again to make a better Constitution. This Constitution was much more effective and has been in use for over two hundred years. This caused American to grow and become stronger. -
U.S. Constitution adopted
After perfecting the nation’s Constitution with power being divided among branches and a bill of rights included. The delegates of each state signed the Constitution making it official. This caused American to become a symbol of liberty in Europe.