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The Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was the period of time where European philosophy, politics, and religious beliefs started to change. People began to question authority, and theorized new ways to improve humanity. The Age of Enlightenment is also referred to as the "Age of Reason" because of the many debates that took place. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was the first major tax onto the American colonist by British Parliament. It was a tax on all paper documents in the colonies, and was passed in order to get the British Empire out of their debt from the Seven Year's war that lasted from 1756- 1763. -
Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty were a loosely organized group of American colonist who believed the Stamp Act was unconstitutional. They were known to use threats and in some cases physical violence to get their point across. Essentially sending a message to the British Empire that they did not want to give their money to a country they were no longer apart of. -
The Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were a series of measures passed by British Parliament that heavily taxed previously accessible goods for the American colonist. This included a tax on paper, glass, paint, and most famously tea. -
The Boston Massacre
Starting out as just a street brawl between a American colonist and British Solider, the Boston Massacre quickly escalated into a all out riot on the simple King Street of Boston. Colonist who saw the fight brake out between the two men reportedly pleaded for the soldier to seize fire and continued to do so as more British soldiers entered the scene. About five people were killed and three were left injured. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party unfortunately was not a actual tea party with scones and sandwiches. It was a political protest played out by American colonist where they dumped 342 chests of tea imported by the British East India company into the Boston harbor. The motive for the protest was because of the increase of taxes British Parliament ordered onto the American colonies. -
First Continental Congress Meeting
The Continental Congress was essentially Americas first official government. Their first meeting consisted of representatives from each of the 13 colonies. The meeting took place in Philadelphia where they discussed the future of America after tensions grew with the British government due to the colonist protest over the new taxes they were being subjected to pay. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord ultimately launched the American Revolution. Tensions had been building between the American Colonist and British soldiers years prior, but on the night of April 18th hundreds of British Soldiers marched from Boston to Concord Massachusetts to seize a arms cache. Riders such as Paul Revere road on horseback to alert nearby homes, and very soon in Lexington the fighting began. -
Second Continental Congress Meeting
The second Continental Congress meeting accomplished several things. Most notably they appointed George Washington as commander of the Continental Army. However the main focus of the second meeting was coming up with political strategies, appointing diplomats, and writing petitions for the American Revolution. -
The Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was a last attempt of the Continental Congress to prevent warfare between the colonies and Britain. It was sent to King George l l l who ultimately refused to even accept the petition from Congress. -
Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Thomas Paine was a major supporter of Americas independence. Originally published anonymously, his 47 page pamphlet "Common Sense" argued for Americas independence from Britain and united American citizens as well as politicians in agreement of his beliefs. "Common Sense" would later play a huge part in the American Revolution. -
The Declarartion of Indepence was Adopted
Approved by the Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence announced the soon to be separation of the United States and Britian. Saying that "these United States are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States". -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown, or the Siege of Yorktown, is known for being one of the most important battles of the Revolutionary War. Led by George Washington, him and his troops of 17,000 French and continental soldiers fought against British General Charles Cornwallis in Yorktown, Virginia. -
Treaty of Paris is Signed
The Treaty of Paris was a written agreement between the United States and Great Britian that effectively ended the American Revolution. The Treaty recognized America as a independent country and put a end to the tensions between the two nations. While heavily involving the American Revolution though, the treaty was signed in Paris, France; hence the name. -
The Constitutional Convention
Held in the same location as the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Constitutional Convention took place in the State House of Philadelphia. Many political figures spoke during the convention and shared ideas on how America should be governed. Notably Alexander Hamilton spoke for 6 straight hours. -
The Bill of Rights is Adopted
The Bill of Rights was the first ten amendments the U.S constitution wrote guaranteeing rights to American colonist. It was a major win for the country as well as the colonist who fought for them.
