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The Battle of Lexington and Concord
Began the revolutionary war; left no room for a peaceful end to the struggle -
George Washington
Commander over the Continental Army; Appointed by the Continental Congress -
Thoughts on Government
pamphet written by John Adams; theory of mixed government; three branches; bicameral legislature; elected governor and appointed judges -
Declaration of Independence
Second Continental Congress; support from the French and German; Authored by Thomas Jefferson; issues popular sovereignty; why they should rebel against the oppressive King -
Battle Of Long Island
Howe vs. Washington; British pushed the patriots out of New York and into New Jersey; the winter saved the patriots (gave them time to recoup) -
The Battle of Trenton
Rahl vs. Washington; Cornwallis suprise attacked washington at Trenton; Americans victorious -
Currency Act
issued by the americans in hopes of paying off the war debts they had incurred in the war; ridiculous inflation; worked extremely well -
Battle of Princeton
Cornwallis vs Washington; american victory; british outnumbered; ended in bayonet combat -
Battle of Saratoga
Burgoyne vs Gates; patriots won; gave the patriot hope of a favorable outcome to the war -
The Articles of Confederation
document that limited the power of the national government and gave all the power ot the states; ultimately failed; replaced by the constitution -
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Valley Forge
The [atriots were stationed here under George Washington's command; here they grew in skill and organization;food and supplies were scarce -
Repeal Tea Act
Lord North gets parliament to repeal teh tea act and prohibitory acts; gives up their power to tax the colonists; the bait is not taken by the patriots -
Baron Von Steuben
French general that trained the british army at valley forge; he gave them discipline and order -
The Treaty of Alliance
signed between the Americans and the French; made France a target to England; gave the french their sugar plantations and americans victory; Comte de Vergennes influential -
Nathaniel Greene
appointed Quartering Master by George Washington; odd display of reverence and appreciation; set him up for further success within the army; he went on to win battles in the southern colonies when he was sent by washington -
Sir Henry Clinton
Became the head of the british forces in the americas; followed Howe and Burgoyne; led the british captures in the southern colonies -
Spain joins the war
signed the treaty of aranjuez with france to join the war effort; wanted to take gibraltar and florida from the grip of the british -
Philipsburg Proclamation
British law that gave any slaves that escaped from their masters freedom and security behind the british army -
Battle of Guilford Courthouse
Cornwallis vs. Greene; the british had the victory but they lost a hige amount of men -
Battle of Yorktown
battle that ended the war; Washington cornered Cornwallis into surrender -
The Treaty of Paris/ The Treaty of Versailles
These documents officially ended the war between all of the parties involved. The Americans were trying to give everyone a little bit of what they wanted without pbeying previous treaties fully. -
The Ordinance of 1784
authored by thomas Jefferson; rules for populations sizes required for new states -
The Land Ordinance of 1785
requirements on plot sizes and plot prices; encouraged wealthy farmers to move -
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Shay's Rebellion
uprising over taxes; ultimately failed; led by the average citizen; people aren't happy witht the new government (they feel oppressed agian) -
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The Philadelphia Convention
ordered to revise the Articles of Confederation; held in Philadelphia; mostly white, wealthy men; Virginia and New Jersey Plans discussed; Great Compromise about representation; 3/5 comprommise about popullation in relation to slaves; no one completely satisfied -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Created states arounf the Great Lakes; required a land tax for eduacation and did not allow for slavery in the new territories; nationally appointed governor and judges until their population grew -
Ratification of the Constitution
No one was totally pleased with the final product; created a three branch government with a bicameral legislature; checks and balances; bill of rights added afterwards to please the antifederalists (first 10 amendments)
