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The Stamp Act
This is important because it was the first thing that the British king did that threatened the independence of Americans. It was the first tax that he passed on the colonies. The colonists didn't think it was fair to have to pay for something that they had for free for so long, -
The Boston Massacre
In the Boston Massacre, five American colonists were killed by British Soldiers. The colonists threw rocks and snow at the soldiers, and the Boston Massacre made the Americans trust the British soldiers even less than they did before. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was when the colonists disguised themselves as Mohawk Native Americans and they dumped tea into the Boston Harbor. This event was important because it was the first show of the colonists fighting against British taxes. -
The First Continental Congress
This event was important because it was the first time that all of the colonies united to fight against Britain. They were fighting against the Intolerable Acts. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
This battle is important to American Independence because it was the first time that American and British troops both fired on each other. This is where the "Shot heard round the world" happened. -
Second Continental Congress
During the Second Continental Congress many important things happened. George Washington was named commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Also, they discussed documents of their freedom such as the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation -
Declaration of Independence signed
This document written by Thomas Jefferson is very important because it is a written statement saying that the thirteen colonies are independent of Britain. It was signed by important people such as John Hancock, John Adams, and Samuel Adams. -
Articles of Confederation Adopted
This is very important because it showed that Americans were determined to make a government so that they could be completely an independent nation. -
Treaty of Paris
This is important because it ended the Revolutionary War. In this treaty, Britain recognized America as an independent nation not under British rule. -
US Constitution Ratified
The ratification of the US Constitution is very important because it is a final document showing that we have an official government and are completely independent of any others. It lays out our democracy so that all know that we are ready to be on our own.
