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Roanoke Colony
The Roanoke Colony was the first English settlement in the "New World" founded by Sir Walter Raleigh. Due to the many obstacles Europeans faced while trying to establish a new colony, the establishment didn't survive and is still known as the "Lost Colony" to this day. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was created when a ship from Great Britain, the Mayflower, docked in Massachusetts instead of Virginia (their original destination). These colonists decided to settle in Massachusetts and created the first colonial plan for self-rule. -
The Great Fundamentals
The first written set of rules was created by the Plymouth Colony, and is known as The Great Fundamentals. It was originally published as the 1636 Book of Laws and is viewed as one of the earliest documents that granted individual rights in America. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The first formal constitution in the thirteen colonies was created by Puritans. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut granted people the right to elect a governor, judges, and representatives. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was signed into law by William III and Mary II of Great Britain. This bill gave Parliament authority over the monarchy. It is said to be an inspiration toward the U.S. Bill of Rights. -
Seven Years' War
England declared war on France in 1756, which then started the Seven Years' War (or the French and Indian War).This was known as the "first world war" and ended with the Treaty of Hubertusburg and years later, the Treaty of Paris. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Art was the first (of many) taxes on the American colonies inflicted by British Parliament. This Act was accepted by most colonists. -
Stamp Act
Unlike the Sugar Act, most colonists were unhappy when the Stamp Act was enforced by Britain. This Act was released to increase revenue for the British military in the American colonies. -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act was imposed by British Parliament which required American colonies' governments to provide food and shelter to British soldiers. This angered colonists because they were being taxed to pay for provisions for the British army (even though the war with France was over). -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act was a declaration that stated that the British Parliament's authority was the same over the American colonies as it was over Great Britain. Although they were angry, the American Colonies didn't take action due to the fact that they were scared of further action from Britain. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts placed more taxes on the American colonies (china, glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea), which in return prompted the thirteen colonies to boycott British goods. Although, the colonies withstood Britain's right to regulate their trade. -
Boston Massacre
In Boston, British soldiers fired at, and killed, five American colonists. This was following the strict Townshend Acts. -
Boston Tea Party
This was an American protest against Great Britain taxing them without representation. Colonists dressed as Native Americans and dumped 342 chests of British tea into the harbor. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were laws put on the American colonies to punish them for the Boston Tea Party. The outrageousness of these Acts then led to the First Continental Congress meeting. -
First Continental Congress
At the First Continental Congress, each American colony sent representatives to defend their rights against King George III. Their demands were not met, which then led to the start of the American Revolution. -
Start of the Revolutionary War
The first battles of the Revolutionary War were the Battles of Lexington and Concord. While the Ameican colonies suffered many casualties, these battles were considered a huge victory in American history and proved to Great Britain that the colonies wouldn't go down without a fight. -
Second Continental Congress
Since their demands were not met the prior year at the First Continental Congress, representatives from the American colonies met once again to discuss their needs with Great Britain. This meeting led to the creation of the Declaration of Independence and The Articles of Confederation. -
Common Sense
Common Sense was a popular publication written by Thomas Paine in which he advocated for American independence from Great Britain. It sold nearly 120,000 copies during the first four months of its release. -
Declaration of Independence
After years of fighting for representation from Great Britain, the Declaration of Independence was finally issued by the American colonies which severed all political ties between the two. -
Articles of Confederation
After finally gaining independence from Great Britain, the thirteen colonies created the Articles of Confederation. This served as the first governing constitution for the new country. -
Siege of Yorktown
After seven years of fighting for independence, the American Revolution finally came to an end with the Siege of Yorktown. American and French troops surrounded Cornwallis and his British army on a peninsula and forced his surrender, which then ended the war. -
Treaty of Paris
Although the Siege of Yorktown ended the violence of the American Revolution, the Treaty of Paris officially ended the war. The agreement recognized U.S. independence from Great Britain and supplied them with significant western territory. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shortly after the end of the American Revolution, a rebellion broke out in western Massachusetts. Shay's Rebellion protested the imprisonment of debt-ridden citizens and it lasted around six months. -
Constitutional Convention
Since the U.S. was barely on its feet after the Revolution, the Constitutional Convention was held in the old Pennslyvania State House. The goal of this meeting was to decide how the U.S. was going to be governed and run as its own country. -
U.S. Constitution
Following the Constitutional Convention, the U.S. Constitution was created. It guaranteed basic citizens' rights, established a government, and created fundamental laws.