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Seven Years' War
This war was a global conflict from 1756 until 1763 against Great Britain and its allies and France and its allies. It originated with the French and Indian War between Great Britain and France in North America. After nine years Great Britain came out victorious. -
Sons & Daughters of Liberty
This was group of American Patriots made up of women, men, young, old, northern, and southern people. They boycotted British acts like the Stamp Act, and urged Americans to wear homemade fabrics to become economically independent. this movement began locally, but soon grew until there was a chapter in every colony. -
Tea Act
The Parliament of Great Britain issued the Tea Act to reduce the massive amount of tea held by the British East India Company and impose taxes on the American colonies. Colonists objected the act with the Boston tea Party because they believed their rights had been violated. -
Intolerable Acts
The British parliament passed these punitive laws after the Boston Tea Party to punish colonists in Massachusetts for their defiance. This did not stop the American colonists, instead it unified them more and the first Continental congress was formed to discuss a unified approach to the British. -
Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson, this declaration was the first formal statement by any nation's people asserting their right to choose their own government. It announced America's official separation from Great Britain and established their freedom. -
Prohibitory Act
British legislation cut off all trade between England and the American colonies through the Prohibitory Act. The colonies were also removed from the King's protection. American ships were no longer allowed to participate and trade, and would be forfeited to the King if found. -
Olive Branch petition
The Second Continental Congress adopted and signed this petition as a final attempt to avoid war between the American colonies and Great Britain. It got rejected by King George III and Parliament, which strengthened the idea of independence and influenced the position of radicals favoring independence. -
Common Sense
Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine during the events leading to the American Revolutionary War. It helped sway people into supporting independence from Great Britain. -
Battle of Yorktown
Cornwallis and the British surrendered to George Washington and French and American forces at Yorktown. The British surrender at the Siege of Yorktown ended the American revolutionary War. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
This treaty was made after America won the revolutionary war. The British acknowledged the United State's independence, and North America was no longer controlled by Great Britain's colonial empire. France also gave up all of its territories in North America. -
Shays' Rebellion
Shays' rebellion was a violent uprising against debt crisis and increased tax collection among citizens in Western Massachusetts. This was a 6 month rebellion of farmers led by Daniel Shays to take over the Court of Common Pleas in Northampton and prevent the foreclosures of farms. -
NW Ordinance 1787
It was one of three acts that set up the basis for the government in the North West territory. This ordinance established policies for admitting states into the confederation, and made sure all states would be equal, regardless of when they were established. -
Federalists
This was a political party that believed in a centralized national government and supported economic growth. They felt the Constitution was open to interpretation, supported its ratification, and wanted a stronger national republic. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay were all federalists. -
Anti-Federalists
This political party opposed the ratification of the Constitution.They feared the Constitution gave the federal courts too much power, and negatively effected state and local courts. Federal courts were too far away to provide accurate justice to the average citizen, according to anti-federalists. Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and George Mason were all anti-federalists. -
Judiciary Act
The Judiciary Act established a federal court system by the new congress in the United States. The judicial branch was formed and composed of one Supreme Court and other inferior courts left for Congress to create. -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights includes the 10 amendments in the Constitution, written by James Madison. It is a list of the most important rights to the citizens of America, specifically prohibitions on governmental power in order to protect individual liberties. -
Proclamation of Neutrality
President Washington issued this Proclamation to declare that the US would remain neutral during a conflict between France and Great Britain. It also stated that the government would prosecute American citizens who offered help to any nations at war. -
Whiskey Rebellion
In Pennsylvania there was a revolt against the Us government for taxing whisky. This was the first serious challenge to federal authority which led to violent resistance to tax collectors, but soon collapsed when President Washington called the militia. -
Jay Treaty 1794
This was an agreement between the United States and Great Britain negotiated by John Jay. It gained many of America's goals including the withdrawal of the British army units from forts in the NW territory. It also established a bases for a sound national economy and commercial prosperity. -
Pinckney Treaty 1795
The treaty resolved territorial disputes between Spain and the United States and was an important diplomatic success. It granted American ships access to free navigation of the Mississippi River and duty-free transport through the New Orleans port.
