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The 1700s
This century starts off with hundreds of British laws and regulations on the American colonies. However it is soon turned into a century of freedom and justice. -
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French and Indian War
Also called the Seven Years War, this war was fought between Britian and France over territory in the New World. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian War. In this treaty, France gave up all of its territory in mainland North America practically ending foreign military conflict over the colonies their. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act, issued by England to its colonies, required that every legal document have a stamp or seal on it. This seal of course cost money. -
Quartering Act
This act required the colonists to allow British soldiers to live in their house if they needed a place to stay. -
Declaratory Act
This act stated that the British had every right and power to lay any law they wanted on the colonists. -
Boston Massacre
Men started rioting in Boston and began beating a British soldier. More British soldiers arrived and fired into the crowd killing five people and injuring six. -
Tea Act
This act allowed the struggling East India Comany to ship its surplus of tea directly to the colonies. It also hired agents who would be the only ones who could sell tea in the colonies. -
Boston Tea Party
At Griffin's Warf in Boston, Massachusetts, men dressed up as Indians and dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbour. -
Quebec Act
This act gave the French in Canada complete religious freedom and restored the French form of civil law. -
1st Continental Congress
The first Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to organize colonial resistance to Parliament's Coercive Acts. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The first shot of the War for Independence started this battle. The shot heard 'round the world. -
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American War for Independence
Often called the Revolutionary War, this war was fought between Britian and America for American Independence. -
2nd Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress organized the war effort, financed the war and governed the colonies. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
This battle was actually fought on Breed's Hill. It ended with a British victory even though they had twice the casualties as the colonists. -
Common Sense published
Common Sense by Thomas Paine was the first pamphlet to advocate American independence. -
Congress votes for independence
Congress unanimously voted for American independence. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was signed and approved by Congress. -
Battle of Saratoga
This battle was a decisive victory for the Continental Army and crucial turning point in the war. -
Battle of Yorktown
This battle consisted of a combined French and American armies surrounding the British at Yorktown. This battle basically ended military conflict in the war. -
Treaty of Paris
This document recognized the United States as an independent nation and ended the War for Independence -
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George Washington's Presidency
George Washington was not only our first President but also a great general, statesman, and founding father. He served two terms in office and set the standard for future presidents. -
1st Bank of the United States
As its name implies, the First Bank of the United States became our first national bank. -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is made up of the first ten amendments to the Constitution. It included the fundamental freedoms and liberties of the American citizen. -
Post Office Act of 1792
This act allowed newspapers to be sent by mail at a discounted rate. It also started nearly eight-thousand post offices in next few years. -
Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin to remove the small seeds from cotton. -
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John Adams' Presidency
Another founding father and great statesman, John Adams was elected the second President of the U.S. He aslo served two terms.
