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Birth of the American Republic
As Britain's governing got increasingly harsh, the American colonists grew increasingly discontented. They were being ruled from afar, and very harshly. The nation was split between those who wished to remain loyal to Britain and those who wanted to split off and become independent. After years of war, the colonists won and forced Britain to recognize their independence, and thus the American republic was born. -
French and Indian War Drains Britain's Treasury
As part of the process of seeking more global power, Britain was a participant in the French and Indian war. Such a war took a drastic toll on Britain's economy, and they needed a way to somehow get back the money. The king's advisers suggested that the colonists help cover the expenses- this was one of the first offenses in a long string that would push the colonists to revolt. -
Stamp Act and Sugar Act Are Passed
To help cover the expenses of the war, Parliament passed the Sugar Act in 1764, a bill that imposed import taxes on everything the colonists received. Then in 1765 the Stamp Act was passed, which taxed all print, from magazines to newspapers and pamphlets. From this was born the phrase "no taxation without representation," as the colonists refused to pay taxes when they had absolutely no voice in Parliament. -
The Colonists Begin Their Rebellion
One of the first major inciting incidents during this time was the Boston Massacre, in which British soldiers opened fire on a crowd of colonists throwing snowballs and rocks at them. Five colonists were killed, and the event was coined the Boston Massacre, and became major fuel to the fire of rebellion. Then came the Boston Tea Party, where colonists dumped millions of dollars' worth of tea into the harbor, which invoked Britain's wrath. -
Colonists Declare Independence; The American Revolution Begins
The Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Britain for the atrocities they'd committed, and when Britain refused to accept that, the American Revolution began. The Declaration of Independence was written up and sent off to Britain, and the colonists prepared for war. -
France Joins Forces with the United States
American victory at the Battle of Saratoga convinced the French to take America's side in the war. This meant providing them with financial and military support, and their aide in the fighting. This was a turning point in the war, as now Americans had access to more than just their ragtag bands of rebels running from place to place to fight. -
Treaty Of Paris Ends the American Revolution
In 1781, the French naval fleet barricaded Chesapeake Bay, allowing for general George Washington to force the British at Yorktown to surrender. From there, the British forces crumbled, and two years later, Britain, America, and France came together to sign the Treaty of Paris, thus ending the war and forcing Britain to recognize the United States as an independent nation. -
The Constitution Becomes Supreme Law Of The Land
Though the Articles of Confederation were drawn up to be sovereign over the new United States, they were poorly written and weak and had to be replaced. A convention in Philadelphia was held, and a group of the nation's best and brightest came together and created the United States Constitution. Since then it has been the concrete foundation for our nation's laws and ideals, and has been upheld for centuries.
