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Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin helped the colonists. First Franklin helped stop the Stamp Act by telling the British that the Americans would never pay the taxes. Later he joined the Continental Congress to decide what to do about war with England. In 1776, he helped write the Declaration of Independence. -
Louis Montcalm February 28, 1712
He entered the army at the age of fifteen years. He had experience in the War of the Austrian Succession, and in 1756 was sent by the Government to take command in the New World. -
George Washington February 22, 1732
George Washington was chosen to be the leader of the American army against the French because he knew the woods so well. The Second Continental Congress formed the Continental Army and made George Washington a general. After the war, George Washington became President of the Constitutional Convention. -
Thomas Jefferson
wished to be remembered for three achievements in his public life. He had served as the Governor of Virginia, as US Minister to France, as Secretary of State under George Washington, Vice President of the United States under John Adams, and two terms as President of the United States (1801 - 1809). -
Chief Pontiac
Chief Pontiac was an Ottawa leader whose significant lies in his role in Pontiacs Rebellion. The rebellion was an American Indian struggle against the British military occupation of the Great Lakes region following the British victory in the French and Indian War. -
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American Revolution
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First Continental Congress
The first time the American colonies met up and refeleted on each others thoughts about Britain. Delegates included John Adams and Samuel Adams from Massachusetts and George Washington and Patrick Henry from Virginia. The colonies had first met at this meeting to discuss what they were going to do against the British and observe colonists' loyalties. -
Skirmishes at Lexington and Concord
Brtitish troops were sent to Concord to take milita weapons. Paul Revere had rode overnight from Boston to Lexington then to Concord warning the minutemen. when the British arrived the minutemen fought with them and eight Americans died. The Brits proceeded to destroy the supplies at Concord where they were greated by more minutemen inflicting 300 casualties on the British. The reason the British had wanted to capture these supplies was because they wanted to crush the colonists. -
Thomas Paine publishes Common sense
Thomas Paine wrote the book "Common Sense" which provided the American colinists with a powerful argument for independence from the British. This book allowed to American colinists feel that fighting for their cause was right and that it will be written down in history. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence declared that the 13 colonies are now independent states and no longer a part of the British Empire. This Declaration was mostly written by Thomas Jefferson. This document explains why congress had voted to seperate from the British Empire mostly due to unfair treatment of the colonies. The colonies felt that this document was necessary to officialy seperate from Britain. -
American victory at Saratoga
Duting this battle the Brtish had failed to cover troops coming south from Quebec. This battle was a necessary win for the Americans as it supported the patriot cause and ersuaded Frnace to side with the Americans leading to funds for the Americans to buy supplies. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was adopted by the Continental Congress to be the form of government of a state. Where each state has 1 vote and the president will be the chairman of the congress but has no executive powers. The congress made many responsibiliteies for congress like armies, foreign affairs, coinage and postal service. The articles of confederation were made by the Continental congress mainly to establish a form of leading government. -
British surrender at Yorktown
During the revolution in the spring of 1781 the French were nearing Yorktown at the Virginia coast. The Americans were encircling the British forces and finally the British surrendered on October 19, 1781. The British had surrendered because they realized that they had no way out and surrender was the only option. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris, signed in versailles, formally ended the American Revolutionary War between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United States of America, which had rebelled against British rule. -
The Constitutional Convention
12 of the 13 states sent delegates to Philidelphia to a meeting and they debated changes in the articles. The underlying purpose for the convention was to create a new governement rather than fix the existing one.The result of the Convention was the United States Constitution, placing the Convention among the most significant events in the history of the United States. -
Washington Inaugurated as President
George Washington was on his way to the nations capital from his home at Mount Vernon. Washington was reluctant to leave the serenity of his home and uncertain about his new position. His journey to New York City took seven days and was transformed into a triumphal procession by the crowds and local officials who greeted the new president along the way. -
The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rigths was a Federalist strategy to win over reluctant states. The First Amendent guaranteed the rights of free speech and a free press, freedom of assembly , and the right to petition the government. The Second Amendent protected the right "to keep and bear arms". This was in order to provide a militia for "the security of a free state".
