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French and Indian War
War fought to decide if Britain of France would have the stronger power in North America. French, colonists, and Indian allies fought against Britain, its colonist, and Indian allies. Land was the reason for conflict. -
The Stamp Act.
Law that required the use of tax stamps on all legal documents, on certain business agreements, and on newspapers. It marked the the first time a significant number of the colonies had joined to oppose the British government. -
American Revolution
The time when British colonists in America rebelled against the rule of Great Britain. After many battles fought, the colonists gained their independence and formed the country of the United States. -
Boston Massacre
Street fight from a Patriot mob and a group of British soldiers. This helped spark desire for independence since so many citizens were killed. -
The Boston Tea Party
Political protest by the Sons of Liberty by throwing tea into the Boston Harbor. They did this because they did not want to pay taxes on British tea. They were afraid Britain was trying to take over America all while they wanted to rule their own country. This lead to the American Revolution which lead to the Declaration of Independence because it fueled tension between America and Great Britain. -
Albany Plan
This was Ben Franklin’s plan for cooperation among the 13 colonies in 1774 but was never adopted. This body would have the power to raise military and naval forces, make war and peace with the Native Americans, regulate trade with them, tax and collect customs duties. This also discovered that the 13 colonies were not unified. -
Intolerable Acts
Closing the port of Boston until colonists paid for the tea dumped during the Boston Tea Party, restricting town meetings in Massachusetts, and allowed for British soldiers to be housed in private homes. This was named by the colonists. This was the major push that led to the outbreak of the American Revolution. -
The 1st Congress
Meeting of the colonies after the troubles in Boston. Here was discussed the worsening situation and debated plans for action. It lead to the Declaration of Independence because the delegates (who soon would be known as the Founding Fathers) sent a Declaration of Rights starting to protest Britain's colonial policies. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The British commander in Boston heard if supplies of powder and weapons were being kept by Patriots in the towns of Lexington and Concord. At the Battle of Lexington was where the "shot heard round the world" took place. These were the first battles of the American Revolution which was a big reason for the Declaration of Independence. -
The 2nd Congress
The start to believe that the compromise with Great Britain was no longer possible since the bloodshed of the "shot heard round the world" and the battles of Lexington and Concord. This lead to the Declaration of Independence because there was a petition made. -
The Declaration of Independence
The formal statement written by the Founding Fathers (Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson) declaring freedom of the 13 colonies from Great Britain.