-
Taxed all printed items- such as marriage licenses, newspapers, diplomas and more than 50 other items. Colonists did not think this was fair since they did not have any representation in the British Parliament. The colonists started to organize protests and denounced the act as an attack on colonial liberties.
-
A new set of taxes and rules that taxed a number of items, such as: paint, glass, paper, and tea. The colonists once again protested and started to boycott British goods. This was a very effective strategy.
-
A group of colonists boarded three ships loaded with tea in the Boston harbor dressed as Native Americans. They tossed the tea overboard into the harbor as a protest against the Townshend Acts.
-
The first meeting of the delegates from the colonies to discuss the outrages against the British.
-
The British and colonial militia met up in the village green in Lexington. The British ordered the militia to return to their homes. When they turned to leave, a shot rang out. The first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired. "The Shot heard around the world."
-
Delegates gathered to discuss their next step against the British. They established the Continental Army and voted George Washington as the Commander of the Continental Army.
-
The Declaration of Independence was signed.
-
Turning point of the war. American troops forced the surrender of the British troops. This victory demonstrated to the French that the Americans could win the war, so the French began an open war against the British and supplied the new nation with military assistance.
-
Genral Washington and the Continental Army who were poorly clothed and fed spent the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge. Many troops died from lack of clothing and medicine. Over 2,000 soldiers deserted.
-
The first set of laws setting up the new government for the new nation.
-
Final battle of the War. With the help of the French the Americans were able to capture two British posts, leading to the final British surrender. The Treaty of Paris was not signed until September, 1783.
-
The constitution established the new government and the prinicipal ideas of the United States.
-
The first ten Amendments to the constitution were ratified.
