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The Sugar Act
Placed a tax on sugar and other imports from non-British colonies. The Sugar Act reduced the tax on molasses from six pence to three pence per gallon. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act imposed a tax on all paper documents in the colonies.The British Parliament passed the “Stamp Act” to help pay the British troops stationed in the Seven Year War. -
The Quartering Act
Provided that British troops could be housed in any town in Massachusetts, even in the homes of private citizens if necessary. If the houses were too small they would send soldiers to local inns, livery stables, ale houses, victualling houses and the houses of wine sellers. -
The Intolerable Acts
The British Parliament passed a series of laws after the Boston Tea Party. The laws were punishment for the Massachusetts colonies for their defiance in the Tea Party. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson. It established the United States as an independent nation. “Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.” Those are qualities of existence. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The Americans and French trap General Cornwallis’s army at Yorktown, Virginia. General George Washington had 17,000 French and Continental troops. British General Lord Charles Cornwallis had 9,000 British troops. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolution. Benjamin Franklin was chief negotiator. Territory much larger than thirteen colonies was also acquired. -
The Articles of Confederation
Developed by the 2nd Continental Congress in 1777. It set up a central government with a 1 house legislature. Very strong and very weak central governments were formed.
