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French and Indian War
In 1754, a French Diplomat dies in a conflict between French forces and British forces led by George Washington. After fighting with Native American allies in Canada, the British were able to defeat the French and the treaties of Paris and Hubertusburg gave much of Canada to the British. -
Quakers Ban Slave Trade
The Quaker group in Pennsylvania begin disowning members who engage in the slave trade and ultimately begin to expel slave-owners from meetings in 1772 showing the first movement that truly opposes slavery in North America. -
Currency and Sugar Acts
The Currency Act of 1764 was passed by Parliament and prohibited the production of paper money by the colonies, impeding their economic growth. The Sugar Act was an attempt to prevent smuggling which was accomplished by creating greater enforcement of the act and beginning to tax sugar while decreasing taxes on molasses. Both were received poorly by the colonies -
Stamp Act of 1765
The Stamp Act of 1765 is passed by Parliament which imposes a direct tax on printed goods in the colonies. The first direct tax on the colonies and one that effects a much larger group of colonists as more people use printed goods. -
Repeal of the Stamp Act/ the Declaratory Act Enacted
After receiving so much disapproval from the colonists, the Stamp Act is repealed by Parliament. However, the Declaratory Act now allows for Parliament to have "full power and authority to make laws . . . to bind the colonies and people of America . . . in all cases whatsoever." -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts are passed which further impose customs duties on more common goods being imported into colonies, and more positions are made to enforce these rules and try smugglers for not complying. A financial incentive to enforce this rule is also given to ruling British governors who were primarily paid by colonial assemblies. This new compensation diluted the monetary power of the assemblies over these governors. -
Boston Massacre
A mob of colonists stood outside the Custom House in Boston and were met by British troops who fired upon the violent protestors killing 5 of them generating sympathy for Boston and anger towards the British. -
The First Continental Congress Convenes
The Continental Congress included delegates from most of the colonies who produced documents like the "Declaration of Rights and Grievances" that argued that thee colonists, being recognized citizens of the crown, should have the same rights as citizens on the island. The Congress also produced the "Continental Association” a controversial document that sought to unite the colonial governments and give more political power to the common colonist. -
The Battle at Lexington and Concord
British attempted to seize gunpowder stores of local militia when they were stopped by the militia at Lexington. A volley of shots occurred and the British were chased back to Concord and into Boston. After the siege was broken at Boston, the British had suffered severe casualties and the American Revolution had begun. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Congress meets and agrees to produce the document declaring their independence from British rule in 1776. -
The Articles of Confederation are Ratified
The Articles of Confederation allow for each state one vote in the Congress and prevent the Congress from taking the power to levy or collect taxes. -
The Revolutionary War ends
America wins its independence with the defeat of General Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown. The colonies had the aid of the French army and navy and were able to siege Yorktown leading to Cornwallis's surrender. At this point the British no longer had the manpower and the public support to continue the war. -
George Washington is elected President
The first president of the United States is elected beginning the first trial at the new government set in place to lead the new country -
The Constitution is Ratified
The United States Constitution is ratified after the majority of the states vote to do so.