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The French and Indian War Ends
England defeated France and their Native American Allies. Due to this, Britain was running low on money. So, they began their tax campaign on the colonists. -
The Navigation Acts
The Navigation Acts were a set of acts approved by Parliament. These acts stated that the Colonists had to sell certain goods, such as sugar and tobacco, had to be sold directly to England or English Colonies. If any goods were to go to the American Colonies, they had to pass through England first. The Colonists began smuggling goods and ignoring the laws. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was an Act issued by Parliament to help pay off the debt they were in after the Seven Years’ War. This Act taxed playing cards, paper, and documents. The Colonists started to boycott British goods and arranged to repeal the Stamp Act. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a confrontation between the citizens of Boston and British Troops. British Troops were being harassed by the Colonists and returned fire by shooting at them with their weapons. This event sparked the Colonists’ desire for American independence and united all the colonies against Britain. -
The Tea Act
The Tea Act is a tax approved by Parliament that would have reduced the amount of tea that the British East India Co. contained. The Colonists did not appreciate the tax and should their disapproval by dumping tea into the Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party. -
The Boston Tea Party
Outraged by the Tea Act, a group of American Colonists, known as the Sons of Liberty, boarded to docked British ships in the Boston Harbor and dumped the 342 chests of British East India Company tea into the harbor. After the incident, Parliament issued the Coercive Acts, a series of laws that further suppressed the American Colonists. -
Coercive/Intolerable Acts
These Acts were a series of laws pass by Parliament as a punishment for Massachusetts after the Boston Tea Party. These Acts angered the Colonists, which influenced their leaders to meet at the First Continental Congress. -
The First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a meeting where 12 of the 13 delegates from the colonies (Georgia did not attend) met to discuss the Coercive/Intolerable Acts. The delegates came to agree that the colonies would boycott Britain and Parliament. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
While British troops marched from Boston to Concord to receive ammunition, Paul Revere alerted the colonial militiamen. The colonial militiamen confronted the British troops at Lexington, where the fighting began. This battle was the flame that started the Revolutionary War. -
The Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was a meeting with all delegates from all thirteen colonies to discuss the their independence. During the Second Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence was adopted. This cut connections with Britain. -
The Declaration of Independence was Adopted
The Declaration of Independence was the ground-work for American independence. The Declaration of Independence contains the ideals and goals for our nation, as well as complaints from the colonists to the King of Britain. -
The Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was the climax of the Revolutionary War. The Continental Army won both of the battles during this time period. After their victory, the Spanish, French, and Dutch joined the war to aid the Continental Army. -
Winter at Valley Forge
George Washington and his troops stayed at Valley Forge the entire winter. Winter was tough on his troops, for they were sick, hungry, and dehydrated. After surviving the winter at Valley Forge, Washington’s Army came out stronger and ready for battle. His Army would be a challenge for the British. -
Battle of Yorktown
George Washington’s Continental Army fought against the British Army. French Allies cut of naval support for the British. The British then surrendered to George Washington. This marked the end of the Revolutionary War, and a massive victory for the Americans. -
The United States Constitution was Written
During the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson proposed the United States Constitution. The 38 of the 41 delegates present signed the Constitution. This was the document that stated the liberties and rights United States Citizens’ are entitled to. -
The United States Constitution was Adopted
The Constitution had to be ratified by nine of the thirteen colonies to go into full effect. The Constitution granted the citizens of the United States their liberties and freedoms. It was at this point the United States if America put their mark on the map.
