-
1651 BCE
Navigation Acts
These were acts of Parliament intended to promote the self-sufficiency of the British. It controlled and restricted colonial trade and decreased dependence on foreign imported goods. These increased colonial revenue to Britain. Another act was passed in 1660. -
French and Indian War ends
The French and Indian War was fought for 9 years, from 1754 to 1763. This war was also called the Seven Years War. It was ended by the Treaty of Paris. The British won, claiming all land from the East coast of North America to the Mississippi River. The British thought the colonists should pay as well. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act, passed on March 22, 1765 and repealed March 18, 1766, levied taxes on all commercial and legal documents in the American Colonies. This included diplomas, pamphlets, newspapers, almanacs, and even dice and playing cards. This was taxation without representation and had to be paid in British Sterling. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a riot between a British soldier and American colonists that turned deadly. It was caused by high tensions between the soldiers living in America and the colonists. Colonists provoked the solider, who struck one with his bayonet. He was then attacked and called for reinforcements. Someone said “Fire!” and the soldiers fired, killing 5 colonists. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act’s cause was to give the British East India Company a monopoly on their tea in America by allowing them to ship it straight to the colonies. Many members of parliament held shares in the company. The tea was cheaper, the the colonists did not chose it. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a protest against taxation without representation. It was caused by the unfair taxes/British tea imports to the Americans. The colonists dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. Many were tarred and feathered. -
Coercive/Intolerable Acts
The Coercive/Intolerable Acts were a series of four laws passed by British Parliament. The purpose of these was to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party. The Quartering Act allowed soldiers to enter and live in the personal homes of colonists. They closed the Boston port. They gave more royally appointed power. They insured the fair trial of British officials. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was held to consider the colonies reaction to the acts against the Americans though trade and taxation without representation. 12 of the 13 colonies attended, (Georgia did not). 1 vote per colony represented. They voted to boycott British goods. It ended on October 26, 1774. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was held to prepare for war following Lexington and Concord. George Washington was appointed commander in chief of the army. It worked toward gaining independence from the British. It was disbanded in 1781. -
Lexington and Concord
These battles were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. The first shot of the war was known as the Shot Heard ‘Round the World. These battles were caused by British seizing weapons. -
Declaration of Independence adopted
The Declaration of Independence was adopted to give America independence. It was signed by many founding fathers in independence hall. -
Winter at Valley Forge
This was the third of eight encampments in the winter of 1777. Congress fled to Philadelphia to escape the British capture of the city. It ended in 1778. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga gave the Americans a large victory over the British. It was a turning point in the war. This gained foreign support from France. This battle ended on October 7, 1777. -
Battle of Yorktown
The title of Yorktown was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. It ended on October 19, 1781 with a victory for the Americans. -
US Constitution written
The constitution was the foundation of the American government. It was mainly written by James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution.” It was signed on September 17,1987. The constitution is still the foundation of Americas laws and values. -
U.S. Constitution adopted
The Constitution was officially adopted in June 21, 1788. New Hampshire was the ninth of thirteen states to ratify it. The Constitution is still the framework for the United States.