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Albany Plan of Union
In responce to French attacks on the frontier, Benjamin Franlkin proposed the Albany of Union, which is a plan for unition all of the colonies. It was rejected however, because it gave too much power to an assembly made up of representatives of all of the thirteen colonies. -
French And Indian War
British defeat the French, effectively removing French influence from North America. Also called the Seven Years' War -
George III becomes king of Great Britain
The predecesor of King George II, King George III ruled Great Britain until his death. He was determined to deal firmly with the American colonies. He levied taxes on tea, suger, glass, paper, and other products. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 imposed the first direct tax on the colonists. It required them to pay a tax on legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, dice and playing cards. -
Stamp Act Congress
Nine colonies sent delegates to a meeting in New York Called the Stamp Act Congress. This is the first meeting organized by the colonists to protest King George's actions. Delegates sent a petition to the king, arguing that only colonial legslature could impose such acts. -
Committee of correspondence
The committees of correspondence were shadow governments organized by the Patriot leaders of the Thirteen Colonies on the eve of the American Revolution. They urged the colonists to take actin against Britain. -
Boston Tea Party
This was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston. The demonstrators, some disguised as American Indians, destroyed an entire shipment of tea sent by the East India Company, in defiance of the Tea Act of May 10, 1773. This act became very iconic in American history. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from twelve colonies (Georgia was not present) that met at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was called in response to the passage of the Coercive Acts by the British Parliament. -
Lexington and Concord
The first two battles of the Revolutionary War, Red Coats clash with Minutemen at Lexington and Concord. -
Second Continental Congress
Delegates from the Thirteen Colonies meet in Philadelphia. The Congress assumed the powers of a central government. It chose John Hancock of Massachusetts as president. Also organized militia and appointed George Washington as commander of the Continental Army. -
Coercive Acts
Also referred to as the Intolerabe Acts, they were meant to punish the Massachusetts colonists for their Boston Tea Party defiance. -
Resolution of Independence
Lee introduced a resolution, stating "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent." -
Declaration of Independence
Announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, regarded themselves as thirteen newly independent sovereign states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. Instead they formed a new nation—the United States of America. John Adams was a leader in pushing for independence, which was unanimously approved on July 2.
