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Enlightenment
Ideals of rationalism and intellectual and religious freedom of the American colonial religious landscape. -
French and Indian War
Ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763. Great Britain had enormous territorial gains in North America. The disputes over subsequent frontier policy and paying the expenses for the war led to colonial discontent. -
Sons of Liberty
A grassroots group of instigators and provocateurs in colonial America used an extreme form of civil disobedience such as threats and even acted upon them to outrage the British government and intimidate loyalists. -
The Stamp Act of 1765
To help pay for British troops stationed in the colonies during the Seven Years' War. This required the colonists to pay tax for various forms of paper. -
Townshend Act of 1767
An act by the British Parliament that initiated taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. In response to the new taxes, the colonies decided to discourage the purchase of British imports. -
Boston Masssacre
The British sentries guarding the Boston Customs House shot into a crowd of civilians. Killing three men and injuring eight, two of them mortally. It is called a massacre by the use of propaganda so the British could enforce their laws. The British went in to enforce the Proclamation and to maintain order but they just made it worse. -
Boston Tea Party
It was a culmination of a series of events that led the thirteen colonies closer to independence. The Americans took the tea and proceeded to dump it into the ocean. It was a political protest. -
First Continental Congress Meets
They had a meeting with delegates from each of the 13 colonies but Georgia. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
"Shot heard 'round the world"
It was the first American War for Independence. It was to go against the British that it inspired the Americans to work together. -
Second Continental Congress meets
It was to plan further responses to the British government if they did not repeal or modify their acts. However, Battles of Lexington and Concord forced the Congress to take charge of the war effort. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
It happened in Massachusetts. The American patriots were defeated at the Battle of Bunker Hill but they proved they could hold their own against the superior British Army. -
Olive Branch Petition sent to England
The Congress sent a petition to the King as a last attempt to prevent another war being declared. It emphasized their loyalty to the British crown and emphasized their rights as British citizens--in hopes of reconciliation. -
Articles of Confederation created
Adopted by the Continental Congress. This document was to serve as the United States' first constitution. Establishing the functions of the national government after it declared independence from Great Britain. -
Great Compromise
It created the bicameral United States legislature along with the House of Representatives and the Senate. -
Bill of Rights adopted
The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual such as freedom of speech, press, and religion.