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Albany Plan of Union
Benjamin Franklin proposed a plan in 1754 that would unite the colonies, The Albany Plan of Union. The colonies rejected it because it gave too much power to an assembly made of representatives from all 13 colonies. -
George III King of Great Britain
Had different ideas about how colonies should be governed. -
French and Indian War
Started as a struggle between the French and British over land in western Pennsylvania and Ohio. Great Britain won in 1763 and gained complete control of eastern 3rd of of continent. -
Stamp Act
Imposed the first direct tax on the colonists. Required people to pay tax on legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, dice, and playing cards. Parliament passed laws to benefit Great Britain but not the colonies. -
Stamp Act Congress
9 colonies sent delegates to a meeting in New York called, The Stamp Act Congress. 1st meeting by colonies to protest King George's actions. Sent a petition to the king saying only colonial legislatures could impose direct taxes like the Stamp Act. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of colonists, dressed like Mohawk Indians dumped 342 chests of British Tea into the Boston Harbor. -
Coercive Acts
A retaliation against The Boston Tea Party from Parliament, which the colonists called the Intolerable Acts. -
Committees of Correspondence
Committee consisted of colonists who wanted to stay in touch with one another as events unfolded. Samuel Adams established the first committee in Boston. -
First Continental Congress
Key Colonial leaders such as Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee, and George Washington all attended. The Delegates all debated what to do about the relationship with Great Britain. Imposed an embargo on Britain and agreed not to use British Goods. -
Second Continental Congress
Served as the acting government of the colonies throughout the war. Purchased supplies, negotiated treaties, and rallied support for the colonists' cause. -
Lexington and Concorde
First battle of the Revolutionary war. -
Resolution of Independence
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declared independence. He introduced the resolution in the Continental Congress "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states." -
Declaration of Independence
On July 4, the congress approved the final draft. John Hancock, the president of the Congress, was the first to sign the document, which eventually held the signatures of all 56 delegates. It explained the reasons for declaring independence. Its actual title was "The unanimous declaration of the 13 United States of America."