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The Sugar Act
Also called The American Revenue Act, set taxes on sugar and molasses that were imported into the colonies, which effected the manufacture of rum in Other goods were also taxed, like wine and coffee. -
The Stamp Act
Passed by the British Parliament, American colonists were required to pay taxes on every piece of paper they used. -
The Boston Massacre
British Army soldiers were being pelted with rocks and snowballs by a mob, and in defense they began shooting, resulting in the death of 3 people. One of the victims was and African American, Crispus Attucks. -
Boston Tea Party
This was a political protest by the colonists against the taxes on tea. (Taxation without representation.) Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty boarded 3 ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston harbor. -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
The start of the American Revolution, British troops marched to Concord on April 18 to steal hidden weapons. Joseph Warren heard British troops would be coming that night to Concord. Paul Revere and William Dawes warned residents. British troops came upon militiamen. Nobody knows which side fired first, but the first shot is called "the shot heard 'round the world". Having defeated the militiamen, the British headed back to Boston, 18 miles away, but the militiamen followed them, still firing. -
The Declaration of Independence
Ratified on July 4, 1776. One way this document reflects enlightenment thinking is when Thomas Jefferson used the idea of the right to "life, liberty, and property" from John Locke when he wrote it. Other ideas is that the government has to protect the natural rights of the people, and the government comes from the people (popular sovereignty.) -
Battles of Saratoga
Started on Sept. 19, and ended on Oct. 17. This was a turning point in the American Revolution, to America's favor. -
British Surrender at Yorktown, Virginia
The Continental defeated the British with help from the French. The French navy kept the British from entering through the York River and the Chesapeake Bay. George Washington and Jean-Baptiste Rochambeau gathered 17,000 soldiers to take back Yorktown. They surrounded the town, which cut off supplies and food to the British. They had to stop fighting. General Cornwallis surrendered, and both sides signed the agreement of the British surrender. -
Constitutional Convention
Addressed the problems of central government under the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution came from the Constitutional Convention, which established a federal government with more specific powers. -
Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
Created on Sept. 17, 1777, this document states the supreme law. Montesquieu's idea of checks and balances is used in the Constitution. (judicial, legislative, and executive branches.) John Locke's idea of natural rights are also in the document.
