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Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a British law requiring American colonists to pay a tax on various forms of paper, including newspapers and legal documents. This act was deeply unpopular and led to widespread protests and boycotts, fueling resentment against British rule. The backlash against the Stamp Act played a crucial role in uniting the colonies and setting the stage for the broader resistance that eventually led to the American Revolution. -
The Creation of the Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty was a colonial organization formed in the 1760s to oppose British policies and taxes, including the Stamp Act. They used direct action, such as protests and boycotts, to challenge British authority and mobilize public opinion against oppressive measures. Their activism played a key role in galvanizing colonial resistance and fostering unity among the colonies leading up to the American Revolution. -
The Townshend Acts
Imposed duties on various imported goods such as glass, paper, and tea in the American colonies. The revenue generated was intended to pay British officials in the colonies directly, but the acts sparked widespread protests and contributed to the growing unrest that led to the American Revolution.
"The Townshend Acts." Library of Congress, 1 July 2009, www.loc.gov/collections/american-revolutionary-war-maps/articles-and-essays/the-townshend-acts/. Accessed 16 Sept. 2024. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770, when British soldiers opened fire on a crowd of colonists in Boston, killing five and wounding several others. This violent confrontation was fueled by rising tensions between the colonists and British troops stationed in the city. The incident was widely publicized and used by colonial leaders, such as Samuel Adams, to galvanize anti-British sentiment and rally support for the growing independence movement. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party took place on December 16, 1773, when American colonists, protesting the Tea Act, boarded three British ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This act of defiance was a direct response to the tax on tea, which colonists viewed as unjust and a symbol of British oppression. The event escalated tensions between Britain and the American colonies, leading to punitive measures known as the Intolerable Acts and accelerating the path toward the American Revolution. -
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The 1st. Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress brought together representatives from twelve of the thirteen colonies to address their grievances with British rule. They sought to unify the colonies in their resistance, drafting the Declaration of Rights and Grievances and agreeing to a boycott of British goods. -
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Enlightenment
The American Revolution, influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Montesquieu, emphasized individual rights and the separation of government powers. Locke’s ideas on natural rights inspired the Declaration of Independence, while Montesquieu’s concept of checks and balances shaped the U.S. Constitution. -
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The 2nd Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress, starting in 1775, played a crucial role in organizing the Continental Army, appointing George Washington as its commander, and drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776. As the war progressed, it transitioned into the Confederation Congress under the Articles of Confederation, which served as the governing body until the U.S. Constitution was adopted in 1789. -
The 4th of July
The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This day marks the formal assertion of American colonies' independence from British rule. -
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The Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of the United States and established a loose confederation of sovereign states with a weak central government. Under the Articles, the national government lacked the power to levy taxes or regulate interstate commerce, leading to significant economic and political challenges. -
The Great Compromise
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was reached during the 1787 Constitutional Convention and established a bicameral legislature with a Senate and a House of Representatives. This agreement blended the Virginia Plan's representation based on population with the New Jersey Plan's equal representation for states, creating a balanced system that satisfied both large and small states. -
3/5ths Compromise
The 3/5ths Compromise, reached during the Constitutional Convention, counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation. This compromise was a contentious solution to the dispute between Northern and Southern states over how to apportion congressional seats and taxes.
"Three-Fifths Compromise." National Archives, National Archives and Records Administration, www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/threefifths.html. Accessed 16 Sept. 2024. -
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The Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia in 1787, was convened to address the deficiencies of the Articles of Confederation and ultimately led to the drafting of a new U.S. Constitution. Delegates at the convention debated and compromised on various issues, resulting in a stronger federal government with a system of checks and balances that still governs the United States today. -
The Constitution Ratification
The Constitution ratification process required approval from nine of the thirteen states, leading to vigorous debates between Federalists, who supported the new framework, and Anti-Federalists, who feared it granted too much power to the central government. The Constitution was ultimately ratified on June 21, 1788, after key states like New York and Virginia agreed to its adoption, leading to its implementation in 1789. -
The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791, consists of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution and guarantees fundamental individual freedoms and protections, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. These amendments were added to address concerns about potential overreach by the federal government and to secure broader support for the Constitution's ratification.