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French and Indian War
The French and Indian war was part of a long struggle between France and Great Britain, for territory and power. The reason it got its name, was because many Native Americans fought alongside France during its course. George Washington played a major role in this war, because of his heroic acts. The war lasted from 1756-1763, when France and Great Britain both signed a peace treaty. In the treaty, France gave Great Britain Canada, and they were thrilled. -
The Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763, was a solution to keep Native Americans and settlers from killing eachother after the French and Indian war. King George simply said to draw a line down the crest of the appalachian mountains. The Proclamation made settlers stay east of the line, and Indians to stay west of it. The Americans were unhappy about this decision, and suggested tyranny. -
The Stamp Act
The stamp act was put in place by the British government, to pay off the large debt from the French and Indian war. The law required colonists to buy a stamp for every piece of paper they used. The colonists were upset about this act, and once again sensed tyranny. After months of violent protest, Parliament repealed the act, or cancelled it. -
The Boston Massacre
The boston massacre was a mass shooting of colonists. It started when a brawl started between the soldiers and the colonists, when one of the soldiers were knocked to the ground. The soldiers panicked and opened fire. Sam Adams called this a horrid massacre. Patriots looked at this as proof that the British needed to pull their troops out of the colonies. John adams defended the troops at their trial. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was an act led by a group of PATRIOTS who called themselves "The sons of liberty". They were angry with the tea act, and taxes from the British government. On December 16, 1773, 50 PATRIOTS dressed as Mohawk Indians boarded three ships. They threw around 90,000 pounds of tea into the Boston bay off of the ships. -
The Intolerable acts
The intolerable acts were a set of harsh laws passed by king George. The Intolerable acts were mainly designed to punish Massachusetts for the Boston tea party. The first law closed the Boston harbor to all shipping until the ruined tea was paid for. The second law placed the government of Massachussetts firmly under British control. The third law said that British soldiers accused of murder would be tried in England, not in the colonies. Many troops were sent into Boston to enforce these laws. -
The First Continental Congress
The first continental congress, was a meeting between 50 leaders from 12 colonies, in Philadelphia. The delegates were used to thinking of themselves as citizens of their own colonies. Patrick henry, from Virginia, urged them to come together as one. The delegates finally agreed to send a respectful message to the king. The message urged the king to consider their complaints, and recognize their rights. The delegates also called for boycott of any British goods until they repealed the acts. -
The Revolutionary war
The revolutionary war was a war fought between Great Britain and America. This war was important, because in the beginning, the Americans were sure to lose. They were ill-equipped, ill-trained, and didn't have many soldiers. The only reason that they won, was because of their perserverance, their leadership, and their patriotism. Their leader, George Washington, led them to success. Patriots fought for their country, while LOYALISTS kind of stayed back and continued being loyal to the British. -
Second Continental Congress
The second continental congress, was a meeting of the delegates from the 13 colomies, in Philadelphia. By now, the New England militia was massed around Boston. The main question facing Congress, was "who should command this so-called New England Army?" Then, they decided that there should be a CONTINENTAL ARMY. The delegates agreed to this idea. They then unanimously elected GEORGE WASHINGTON as commander-in-chief of the new army. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a document that rendered the colonies as one independent nation. Many things hapened before the document was sent, like the OLIVE BRANCH PETITION. This was a letter sent to KING GEORGE III to end the quarrel between the colonies and Britain. A fiery/persuasive pamphlet was then written by a patriot named THOMAS PAINE called "COMMON SENSE."THOMAS JEFFERSON who was heavily influenced by philosopher JOHN LOCKE, wrote the first draft of the declaration. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation were a plan of government. This was imposed after congress declared independence, and tried to conquer the difficult task of creating one unified national government. The articles created a "firm league of friendship" in which each state retains its "sovereignty, freedom, and independence." This was a loose union in which the 13 states communicated for common purposes. The articles also gave congress many important powers. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris, was an agreement that ended the Revolutionary War between The United Dtates, and Great Britain. It had three important parts. First, Great Britain had to recognize the United States as an independent nation. Second, Britain gave up its claims to all lands between the Atlantic Coast and The Mississippi river, from Canada south to Florida. Third, the United States agreed to return all rights and property taken from loyalists during the war. -
The Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance, was a law that divided the northwest territory into smaller territories, each governed by a territorial governor. As soon as each territory had 5,000 free adult males, it could elect its own legislature, or lawmaking body. When a population reached 60,000 the territory could then apply to congress to become a state. The Ordinance also gave settlers the same priveleges as other citizens, except for one. Slavery was banned. -
Shays's Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion, was a protest led by Daniel Shays when a money shortage faced Massachusetts. The money shortage made judges order farmers to sell their land. Massachusetts farmers rebelled, first targeting courthouses to keep the judges from taking their farms. They then marched to the Springfield arsenal to seize weapons stored there. Congress was unable to stop them. Militia troops ended the rebellion and restored order. -
The Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention was a meeting, in which 55 delegates from 12 states attended, and was led by George Washington. The purpose for this meeting was to layout the framework for the national government. The GREAT COMPROMISE, was a plan to keep a two-house congress so smaller states weren't overruled by larger states. The 3/5 COMPROMISE, made it so that slaves were counted as 3/5 of a person when determining house numbers. The ELECTORAL COLLEGE was created to elect the president. -
The Constitution
The Constitution, was a document that contained all of the laws / a plan of government for the country. People that supported the constitution called themselves federalists. There were many influential articles written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, which were later collected and published as THE FEDERALIST PAPERS. There were also many ANTI-FEDERALISTS, who were opponents of the constitution. The PREAMBLE of the constitution lists the goals of the government. -
The Bill of rights
The Bill of Rights, was a document that stated the basic rights of a citizen in the U.S. It was very much like the English MAGNA CARTA, which meant "great charter". This document let English people participate in their government, as well as gave them many new rights. The Bill of Rights can be changed, only if 3/4 of the states agree to chsnge a certain amendment. The changing of the Bill of Rights is called RATIFICATION.
