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The Navigation Acts 1651
This act restricted colonial trade to England and decreased dependence on foreign imported goods -
The Navigation Acts 1660
While this act continues from the act in 1651 it also mentions specific products such as sugar, cotton, and wool. -
French and Indian War Ends
The war was ended by the Treaty of Paris. France gave up all its territories in North American, and this ended any foreign military threat to the British. -
Stamp Act
Parliament passed this act, causing newspaper and pamphlets to be taxed. This led to the colonists famous quote “No taxation without representation” due to having no representatives in Parliament”. After protest the act was repealed. -
Boston Massacre
After the crowd had thrown stones and snowballs at the British soldiers, the British opened fire on the crowd. They killed 5 protesters. -
Tea Act
This act passed by parliament gave the British East India Company Tea a monopoly on the tea sales in America, and adding a tax on tea. This later played a part in the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists threw British tea overboard ships in protest of the tax on tea. Parliament later passed laws to punish Massachusetts causing other colonies to help Massachusetts. -
First Continental Congress
Representatives from 12 colonies met in Philadelphia. They discussed how to react to Britain’s actions against Massachusetts. John Adams, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin all attended . -
The Coercive Acts
After the Boston Tea Party, the Parliament passed four laws to punish Massachusetts. 3 of the important effects were
- only allowed to have food and firewood through port
-no town meetings
Increased authority of royal governor -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
British and colonists went to war. The “opening shots” of the American Revolution happen there. Shortly after that, the Second Continental Congress met. -
Second Continental Congress
Second Continental Congress met and set up an army, having George Washington leading. -
Declaration of Independence adopted
The document was to spell out the political principle that all government power comes from its people. The American leaders pledged to the United States of America. -
Battle of Saratoga
It was the first turning point of the war. The Americans won. This persuaded French to ally with the Americans against Britain. France brought the supplies American needed. Netherlands and Spain joined to help as well. -
Winter at Valley Forge
Winter was brutal, the troops suffered from hunger, cold, and disease. Washington continued to hold the army together. -
Battle of Yorktown
Washington forced a British army to surrender with the help of a French fleet. After this defeat the war effort from Britain crumbled. -
U.S. Constitution written
This is still considered the framework for the United States government, and was signed knowing it was risky. -
U.S. Constitution adopted
39 of 55 delegates signed and the constitution became official.