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Franklin proposes to the Albany Congress that the colonies should unite to form a type of colonial government
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British colonies pitted against French colonies as part of European 7 Years' War.
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Britton enacts the Sugar Act, levying duty on sugar, wine, and textiles in American Colonies.
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Britain passes the Stamp act, taxing legal documents and press documents in the American Colonies. Colonies campaign against act and form groups like the Sons of Liberty.
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After facing the unified boycott of both the Stamp Act and Sugar Act, Britain decides to repeal Stamp Act, but at the same time enacts a bill to give ultimate power over taxation of all British colonies
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British troops fire at riled up colonists in Boston, killing 5. Reports around the colonies cry for unity and anti-British enforcement of taxes. In response Parliament removes Townshend duties with the exception of tea.
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Nearly fifty colonists, dressed as Indians, empty all tea cargo into the Boston Harbor as a protest against British tax.
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Delegates from twelve colonies met in Philadelphia to organize boycott of British goods
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First shot of the American Revolution is fired in a skirmish between redcoats and militiamen at Lexington.
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American militiamen prove their worth against British soldiers in an effort to protect a stockpile of weapons.
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Jefferson's text for the Declaration of Independence is accepted by the Second Continental Congress.
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France joins the American colonies in their fight against Britain, turning the tide the the war.
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British general, Charles Cornwallis, is forced to surrender after being isolated in Yorktown. Signals the end of the Revolutionary War
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John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay negotiate with British government and result is signed treaty that recognizes US independence.
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Constitution was ratified by the states, with the immediate recognition that amendments will be necessary.
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Washington unanimously elected first President of United States. He was inaugurated on Wall Street in New York
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Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin, revolutionizing the cotton industry. Cotton became America's biggest export.
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Washington resists pressure to accept third term of Presidency, setting the example of peaceful transition of power. John Adams elected second President, with Thomas Jefferson as Vice President