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Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was the British Parliament's first attempt to tax the colonists in America. Britain wanted the colonists to repay the debt from the French and Indian war. It required a government tax stamp on all paper items: legal documents, contracts, licenses, newspapers, almanacs, sermons, and even playing cards. -
Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress took place in New York. It was a meeting of representatives from nine colonies to discuss how the colonies would handle the new tax. They decided to send a letter to the king, declaring their loyalty but strongly protesting the tax. This was where "no taxation without representation" began. -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists after being antagonized with snowballs. They killed 5 people and were put on trial. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists protested by disguising themselves as Native Americans. They then boarded three different ships and dumped their cargo (tea) into the harbor. They cost Britain a huge amount of money in doing so. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The colonial militia soon found themselves in the first battle of the Revolutionary War. The "shots heard 'round' the world" were fired in Massachusetts when the colonists met the British troops in this major battle. -
2nd Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress met three weeks after the Battle of Lexington and Concord. twelve of the thirteen colonies were present. Their first decision was to bring together the militia and put George Washington in charge. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
During this battle, the American militia had a place at the top of a hill, while the British remained below them. As the British charged up, the Americans fired and shit them down. After attempting this a few times, the British engaged them in hand-to-hand combat and eventually brought the Americans to a defeat. -
Adoption of The Declaration of Independence
The colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, which meant that they were now independent states instead of colonies of Britain. Each state was encouraged to govern itself. -
Adoption of the Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was America's first constitution. It ended up being too weak to keep the states stable and so it was soon replaced. It was not allowed to tax the states, could not raise a national army, and was unable to do other necessary things to keep a country safe and strong. -
Surrender of General Cornwallis
General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to the American militia after winning many battles and finally losing a few major ones. He surrendered many important resources including troops, seamen, ships, and a frigate. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris officially and formally ended the American Revolution. King George III recognized the US as an independent country and gave up all of the land east of the Mississippi River. -
Constitution Approved
The Constitution was originally only approved by nine of the thirteen states. After it was approved, its sovereignty was official and it was the law of the land. -
1st Meeting of Congress
The United States Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Their first meeting lasted two years and they officially began acting as a government. -
George Washington Becomes President
General George Washington did not want to be president of the USA. He wanted to retire and live out his days in his cabin. However, the people, in essence, forced him to be president. He became president by peer pressure. -
Bill of Rights is Added to the Constitution
The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the constitution. This was agreed upon as a compromise by the states who did not want to do away with the Articles of Confederation.
