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George III Becomes King of England
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The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a law passed by the British government in 1765 that required American colonists to pay a tax on printed materials like newspapers, playing cards, and legal documents. Many colonists were angry because they had no say in the decision. Their protests helped lead to the American Revolution. -
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Stamp Act Congress meets in New York City
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Parliament Passes the Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were a series of laws passed by the British government in 1767 that taxed goods like glass, paper, paint, and tea imported into the American colonies. The British wanted to raise money and show they had control over the colonies, but many colonists saw the taxes as unfair because they had no representation in Parliament. This led to protests and boycotts, increasing tensions that eventually led to the American Revolution. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre happened when British soldiers fired into a crowd of angry colonists, killing five people. The colonists had been protesting British rule and throwing things at the soldiers, but the soldiers reacted with gunfire. This event increased anti-British feelings and helped push the colonies closer to the American Revolution. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a protest by American colonists against British taxes on tea. To show their anger, they dressed as Native Americans and dumped an entire shipment of British tea into the harbor. This act made Britain furious and led to strict new laws, pushing the colonies closer to revolution. -
The Coercive Acts
The Intolerable Acts were harsh laws passed by Britain to punish the American colonists for the Boston Tea Party. These laws closed Boston’s harbor, took away self-government, and forced colonists to let British soldiers stay in their homes. Instead of scaring the colonies into obeying, the acts made them even angrier and helped unite them against British rule. -
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First Continental Congress Meets in Philadelphia
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First Shots of the American Revolution
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Second Continental Congress Meets in Philadelphia
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The Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was a final attempt by American colonists to avoid war with Britain. They sent a letter to the king, asking for peace and for him to end unfair laws, but he ignored it and declared them rebels. This made many colonists realize that fighting for independence was their only option. -
The Adoption of the Deceleration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a document that officially said the American colonies were breaking away from Britain to become their own country. It explained that all people have rights, and because Britain was treating the colonies unfairly, they had the right to govern themselves. This declaration led to the American Revolution and the birth of the United States. -
The Adoption of the Articles of Confederation
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Britian surrenders at Yorktown, VA
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Treaty of Paris Signed
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Mount Vernon Conference
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Shays Rebellion
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Annapolis Convention
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Constitutional Convention