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The Stamp Act (1765)
The stamp act, published by the British Parliament, required colonists to pay taxes on every page of printed paper they used. A lot of American politicians fought back. “No taxation without representation!” King George III became determined to
force American obedience. -
Intolerable Acts (1774)
Issued the The Coercive Acts, known by the colonists as the “Intolerable Acts”, was made by the British who were willing to carry out George’s policies. They include The Boston Port Act, The Administration of Justice Act, The Massachusetts Government Act, The Quartering Act, and The Quebec Act. -
The Declaration of Independence (1776)
The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, established the United States as an independent nation. “Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness”. The government exists to protect
individual rights, and people can overthrow government when it does not do so. -
The Battle of Yorktown (1781)
The Americans and French trap General Cornwallis’s army at Yorktown, Virginia. The British surrender forecasted the end of British rule in the colonies and the birth of a new nation. -
The Treaty of Paris (1783)
Ended the American Revolution and formally recognized the United States as an independent nation. -
the United States Constitution (1787)
Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the United States Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of government. Its first three words “We The People” affirm that the government of the United States exists to serve its citizens. -
Creation of the Bill of Rights (1785)
First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution because Federalists said it lacked limits on government power. Federalists advocated for a strong national government. They believed the people and states automatically kept any powers not given to the federal government. -
Ratification of the Bill of Rights (1791)
On October 2, 1789, President Washington sent copies of the 12 amendments adopted by Congress to the states. By December 15, 1791, three-fourths of the states had ratified 10 of these, now known as the “Bill of Rights.”