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French-Indian War
The French and Indian war was the North American conflict of a broader imperial conflict between Great Britain and France, known as the seven years' war. This war started in 1754 and concluded with the Treaty of Paris in 1763. -
Townshend Acts
To cover the costs of governing the American colonies, Parliament enacted the Townshend Acts, which introduced taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. -
Quartering Act
In American colonial history, there was a British parliamentary mandate that required colonial authorities to supply food, drink, lodging, fuel, and transportation for British troops stationed in their towns or villages. -
Navigation Acts
The Navigation acts refer to laws enacted by the British parliament aimed at boosting British economic growth by imposing trade restrictions. These acts were designed to promote Great Britain's self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on foreign imports. -
Stamp Act
The British parliament enacted the Stamp Act to cover the costs of British troops stationed in the colonies during the seven years' war. This legislation mandated that colonists pay a tax, indicated by a stamp, on a variety of papers, documents, and playing cards. -
Boston Massacre
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Boston Tea Party
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Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts, also known as the Coercive Acts, were a series of punitive measures enacted by the British Parliament in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party. These acts aimed to assert British authority and suppress colonial resistance. -
Battle of Lexington & Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord, fought on April 19, 1775, marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. British troops were dispatched to seize colonial arms stored in Concord, Massachusetts. Paul Revere famously warned the colonists, leading to a confrontation at Lexington, where the first shots were fired. The British continued to Concord but faced fierce resistance from colonial militias. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress convened in May, shortly after the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. It served as the governing body of the American colonies and was responsible for managing the war effort, appointing George Washington as commander of the Continental Army, and coordinating resistance against British rule. The Congress also moved towards independence, eventually adopting the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition, sent by the Second Continental Congress to King George III on July 5, 1775, sought to reconcile with Britain and avoid war. It expressed loyalty to the Crown while outlining colonial grievances, including issues like taxation without representation. The king rejected the petition, viewing it as an act of rebellion, which further escalated tensions and moved the colonies closer to declaring independence. -
Common Sense
"Common Sense," written by Thomas Paine was a influential pamphlet that argued for American independence from Britain. Paine presented clear and accessible arguments, criticizing monarchy and hereditary rule while advocating for a democratic government. He highlighted the economic and social benefits of independence, rallying public support for the revolutionary cause. The pamphlet shaped public opinion and helped the movement towards declaring independence. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a pivotal document in which the American colonies proclaimed their independence from British rule. Authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it outlined the colonies' grievances against King George III and articulated the principles of individual rights and government by consent of the governed. The declaration asserted that all men are created equal and have unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the United States. They established a loose confederation of states with a weak central government, granting most powers to the states. Key features included a unicameral legislature with limited authority to raise revenue or regulate trade. While the Articles helped maintain unity during the Revolutionary War, their shortcomings—such as the inability to enforce laws or collect taxes—became apparent. -
Daniel Shays’ Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising in Massachusetts led by farmer Daniel Shays. The rebellion arose in response to economic hardships, high taxes, and debt imprisonment, which disproportionately affected rural farmers. Shays and his followers protested by blocking court proceedings to prevent foreclosures on their farms. The rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia where delegates from twelve of the thirteen states gathered to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The convention resulted in the creation of the U.S. Constitution, establishing a stronger federal government with a system of checks and balances among three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Debates included Congress and the balance of power between states and the federal government.