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The Mayflower lands at Plymouth Rock
The Church of England didn’t like pilgrims because they were judged as disloyal. They were forced to flee to the Netherlands, where people struggled to make a living. So the Mayflower sailed for the New World with 102 pilgrims. They finally arrived at Plymouth after long searching and weathering storms. With the local Native Tribe, Pilgrims signed a Peace Treaty, and they learnt how to feed themselves and survive from their support. -
Pennsylvania Becomes a Colony
Pennsylvania was America's second colony. As one, they had to first build their own government, and they didn’t have a good start, going through trial and error. The State Constitution was one point which the parties couldn't agree on. Pennsylvania lawmakers struggled to decide what was significant to their state and how to rule it. But now, Pennsylvania became known as one of the first states to end slavery -
The French and Indian War
In the 1750s, the British and French were claiming more and more land in the New World. Britain wanted the Ohio River Valley for its fertile agriculture, and the French wanted for fur trades. The English sent a letter to France to leave. The French reacted by capturing an English fortress, and this action led to war. Because the French had a good relationship with Native American Indians, they joined the French's side. After several battles, it ended with Britain winning the war. -
The Sugar Act
The Parliament needed money to cover the costs of the French and Indian War. So the Sugar Act was created, which enforced a tax on molasses. The colonists protested because the tax almost stopped the rum trade from New England. The colonial leaders did not want Britain to take power away from their governments like taxing authority. They wanted the American colonies to be able to rule themselves. -
The Currency Act
Up until 1764, each 13 colonies all had different currencies. There was no common unit of measurement in bills, which made things complicated. To solve this, Parliament passed the Currency Act, giving the British Parliament control over the currencies of 13 colonies. The Currency Act didn't settle well with the colonists, so colonists decided to protest by boycotting British goods. -
The Stamp Act
Since the French and Indian war was fought in America, King Charles III believed colonists should pay a tax. So, the Parliament passed the Stamp Act, which required every piece of paper in the colonies to have a British stamp. It was the colonists who had to pay the stamps. The colonists were angry, and they showed their anger by rioting. As a result, the Stamp Act was passed by King George III. -
The Quartering Act
The Quartering Act was implemented by the British government, requiring colonies to shelter and feed British troops in forts supplied by the colonies. So colonists protested, and most of them were injured and buildings were destroyed. The colonies kept arguing that The Quartering Act was unfair. As a result, the British Parliament passed the Quartering Act. -
The Townshend Revenue Act
After the Stamp Act was removed, the Townshend Acts passed. The colonists argued that taxing shouldn't be required since they couldn’t elect members of Parliament. The Townshend Acts imposed increased taxes on items (like tea and glass) imported from Britain. Increasing tax led American colonists to take action, as well as women. Colonists started boycotting, and it was effective. So, Parliament removed all of the Townshend duties but the tea... -
The Boston Massacre
This was the period when British troops were patrolling all over in Boston. One day, a boy was being disrespectful to one of the British troops, which resulted in that soldier beating him. After that, more boys came, throwing snowballs filled with rocks and sticks at the British soldiers. One soldier began shooting at the boys, the rest of the soldiers followed. At the end, five colonists were killed and many more were wounded. -
The Boston Tea Party
After the Boston Massacre, the British promised to not tax the colonies. However, still wanted to tax the colonies. Since tea was popular in America, the British told colonists to buy their tea, but colonists refused. So the British Parliament passed the Tea Act, by forcing colonists from buying tea from anywhere except them. So colonists protested. Samuel Adams, from Son of Liberty, brought men to destroy crates. So, the Tea company lost a lot of money. -
The First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia with 12 colonies’ representatives. It was a response to the Parliament's Intolerable Acts. They considered a boycott of British trade as well as making a list of rights and injustice. They approached King George III for their thoughts. But their appeal to the king was ignored, and so the Second Continental Congress was called 1 year after. -
Patrick Henry’s “Give me Liberty or give me Death” speech
Patrick Henry was the Revolution's voice. He was from Virginia and had studied speeches from Shakespeare's books. Virginia was the largest and most powerful of the 13 colonies at the time. With Patrick’s "Give me liberty or give me death" speech, he persuades the Virginia Houses of Delegates to proclaim independence and launch war on Britain. There would've been no revolution without Virginia and Patrick Henry. -
The Ride of Paul Revere
Boston Massachusetts was at the center of the American Revolution. Paul Revere was a member of the Sons of Liberty, who spied on the British and reported their activities to Americans. Americans knew something would happen but didn’t know when. If the British made their move that night, Paul Revere sent out a signal. He made plans the other night to awaken the local militia if necessary to defend themselves and protect leaders from the British -
The Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was made up of representatives from all 13 colonies in Philadelphia's Independence Hall. They gathered to plan the revolutionary war's military strategy and pick ambassadors to proceed to Great Britain to discuss treaties. From the Second Continental Congress, they created the Declaration of Independence symbol. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence. -
George Washington named Commander in Chief
The Continental Congress firmly elected Washington commander-in-chief of American soldiers, based on his military experience during the French and Indian War, him being Virginian, and his well-known disinterest in authority. George Washington showed excellent leadership when he took charge, leading his men with respect. After eight years of war, Washington left his place and retired to normal life. Later, he became America's first president.
