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Albany Plan
The main purpose of the Albany plan was to create a unified government for the thirteen colonies. The plan proposed a Grand Council composed of representatives from each colony and a president-general appointed by the british. Unfortunately the Albany plan was rejected by both the colonial legislatures and the British crown; it was still one of the first formal proposals to unite the colonies under a single government. -
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American Revolution
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French and Indian War
This was a war fought between the British and the French. The primary cause was the struggle for control over North America, specifically The Ohio River Valley. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763 which resulted in France giving up most of its north American territory to Britain. -
Proclamation of 1763
It forbade settlers from moving west of the Appalachian mountains to stabilize relations with Native Americans and created a boundary line between the colonies and the native American lands. -
Sugar Act
The sugar act aimed to raise revenue for the British empire by taxing sugar and molasses imported into the American colonies. It reduced previous tax on molasses but enforced stricter regulation to ensure collection. It led to widespread protest and contributed to the growing sentiment against British taxation policies. -
Stamp Act
The stamp act aimed to raise revenue for the British Empire by requiring that many printed materials in the colonies be produced on stamped paper from London. The act was highly unpopular in the colonies and sparked widespread protests. Colonists argued that it was a violation of their rights since they were being taxed without their consent. -
Townshend Acts
These acts were intended to raise revenue in the colonies to pay the salaries of governors and judges, ensuring their loyalty to Britain, and to assert British authority. The acts imposed duties on common products imported into the colonies, such as paper, paint, lead, glass, and tea. The acts led to widespread protest and boycotts of British goods. The colonists viewed these taxes as another example of taxation without representation. -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists who were taunting them resulting in the death of five colonists. Tensions were high due to the presence of British troops in Boston, which were there to enforce the Townshend Acts. The event was heavily publicized by leaders like samuel adams and Paul Revere, who used it to fuel anti british sentiment and unite the colonies against British rule -
Boston Tea Party
British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists who were taunting them resulting in the death of five colonists. Tensions were high due to the presence of British troops in Boston, which were there to enforce the Townshend Acts. The event was heavily publicized by leaders like Samuel Adams and Paul Revere, who used it to fuel anti British sentiment and unite the colonies against British rule. -
First Continental Congress
Due to the increased regulation by the British,the colonies began to form committees in order to organize their response. These committees would agree to send delegates to what would be the First Continental Congress. Through this, they would create many documents asserting the rights they felt they deserved. The most important document to result from this was the “Continental Association.” This document sought to truly unite the governments of the colonies, and give power to the people. -
Coercive Acts
As a result of protests and boycotts, the British government began an attempt to strengthen their grip on the colonies. This would manifest in the Coercive/Intolerable Acts. They cut off all trade in Boston, dissolved Massachusetts’ colonial assembly, made it so that royal officials would be tried in Britain as opposed to Massachusetts, and allowed for British soldiers in all colonies to reside in the homes of any colonist. These acts brought the colonies together, rather than separate them. -
Second Continental Congress
As a result of deaths in Boston, the Continental Congress met once again. The delegates were split between radicals and moderates, with the former wanting to support the Massachusetts militia, the latter wanted to attempt reconciliation. The attempsrs of the moderates would result in the Olive Branch Petition. Generally they would compromise, resulting in support of the militia and the creation of a “Declaration of the Causes of Necessity of Taking Up Arms.” -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The British had to respond to the rising resistance in the colonies. One way of doing so was through seizure of the supplies of local militias’ in Lexington and Concord. This would lead to the Battle of Lexington and Concord. The colonists were able to deal significant casualties to the British, even trapping them in Boston. This was the first battle of the Revolutionary War, setting the stage for what would come in the future. -
Olive Branch Petition
Drafted by moderates in the Continental Congress, this petition sought to seek peace with the King. They tried to assure the King that the colonies still wanted to be under British rule, but he was not convinced. He dismissed the petition, cementing the idea that there was no going back to former relations. Revolution was afoot. -
Common Sense
Created by Thomas Paine, “Common Sense” was a pamphlet published with the purpose of arguing for independence. Due to his prose, this pamphlet would quickly spread, inspiring revolution in the hearts and minds of many colonists. -
Declaration of Independence
During this time colonists yearned for freedom as a result congress formed a committee to write a document that would make the first innovation of freedom from the Crown and Parliament. This document was written by Thomas Jefferson, and edited by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and the rest of the congress. The “Break Up” letter from the motherland. -
Battle of Saratoga
British General John Burgyne began to overtake forts and was just about to take over the Hudson River Valley. In result the colonists succeeded and forced 6,000 British troops out of the land. This battle proved to the king and parliament that the colonists could fight against the British and hold themselves up. It also uplifted patriotism and the want of independence. -
Articles of Confederation
After the win of the Revolutionary war, the new country of America needed a new government and constitution to manage the states. During the Second Continental Congress, delegates from every state gathered together to form this document, the main writer being John Dickinson. This document was the first attempt of a constitution in America, but it soon failed due to lack of central power. -
Valley Forge
Due to the colonial army being untrained, George Washington and his army needed to find somewhere to train and a place that wouldn't be valuable for attacks. Valley Forge was very cold but was an ideal place to train and recoup before other battles. -
Yorktown
British Commander Lord Cornwails planned to move his troops up northeast to Virginia. After being met with 4500 french and american troops, Cornwails moved his troops throughout Virginia then arrived at Yorktown. George Washington and Lafayette figured out these troops were here and sent 6,500 of their troops and a fleet of ships to trap them there. This resulted in an American win. This battle led to the end of the Revolutionary war and a win from the Colonists and French. -
Treaty of Paris
After the war, the Americans still yearned for full independence and rights to the land. The Americans, French, British, and Spanish came together and signed the Treaty of Paris, which declared the thirteen colonies free and America would gain the land Florida north to the Great Lakes and the Atlantic coast west to the Mississippi River. This document ended the American Revolution.