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French-Indian War
A conflict primarily between Britain and France over territorial claims in North America, marked by battles and alliances with various Native American tribes. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris on February 10, 1763, which significantly expanded British territories but also left Britain with debt, increased taxation on the colonies. -
Navigation Acts
These acts mandated that certain goods produced in the colonies could only be shipped to England or English colonies, establishing a mercantile system. Colonists resented these laws, believing they infringed on their economic freedoms and rights as English subjects. -
Stamp Act
The first direct tax on the colonies, requiring stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, and other printed materials. The act ignited protests, leading to the formation of the Stamp Act Congress, which coordinated colonial opposition. It was repealed in 1766 due to widespread resistance. -
Quartering act
This act required colonial governments to provide housing, food, and supplies for British troops stationed in America. Many colonists viewed it as an invasion of their rights and privacy, intensifying resentment against British military presence. -
. Townshend Act
A series of laws imposing duties on imported goods such as tea, glass, and paper. The acts aimed to raise revenue for Britain and assert parliamentary authority over the colonies. They provoked boycotts and heightened tensions, leading to events like the Boston Massacre. -
Boston Massacre
A confrontation in which British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists, killing five, including Crispus Attucks. The event was sensationalized in colonial propaganda and became a rallying point for anti-British sentiment. -
Boston Tea Party
In response to the Tea Act, which granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales, colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This act of defiance provoked the Intolerable Acts, escalating tensions further. -
Intolerable Acts
A series of punitive measures, including the Boston Port Act (closing the harbor), the Massachusetts Government Act (restricting self-governance), and the Administration of Justice Act (allowing royal officials to be tried in England). These acts unified the colonies against perceived British tyranny. -
Battle of Lexington & Concord
The first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War, where colonial militia faced British troops attempting to seize weapons. The battles marked the beginning of open armed conflict between Britain and the colonies. -
Second Continental Congress
This assembly of delegates from the colonies managed the war effort and made key decisions, including the formation of the Continental Army and the appointment of George Washington as its commander. It also began to act as a national government. -
Olive Branch Petition
A document sent by the Second Continental Congress to King George III, asserting loyalty to the crown while seeking redress for grievances. The king rejected the petition, leading to increased calls for independence. -
Common Sense
A pamphlet by Thomas Paine that argued for independence from Britain in a straightforward manner. It criticized monarchy and hereditary succession, promoting the idea of self-governance, and became widely read, influencing public opinion toward independence. -
Declaration of independence
A foundational document drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, declaring the colonies’ independence from British rule. It articulated Enlightenment principles of individual rights and government by consent, outlining grievances against King George III. -
Articles of Confederation (Drafted in 1777, Ratified in 1781)
The first constitution of the United States, establishing a confederation of sovereign states with a weak central government. The Articles created significant challenges in governance, including difficulties in taxation and interstate trade. -
Daniel Shays Rebellion
An armed uprising led by Daniel Shays in Massachusetts protesting economic injustices, high taxes, and lack of government response to debt issues. The rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and spurred calls for a stronger federal government. -
Constitutional Convention
A gathering of delegates to address the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation. The Convention resulted in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, establishing a stronger federal government with checks and balances among branches.