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New England Colonies
The New England colonies were Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. The New England colonies were settled by people who had experienced religious persecution in England (Ignitia.com Editors). The religious motivation for colonization in America began with Martin Luther and the Reformation many years before the New England colonies were established. -
French and Indian War
Both England and France were powerful, proud countries, and each country wanted to dominate the colonies. The extreme differences in the customs and lifestyles of these countries created friction between them (Ignitia.com Editors). The French colonies spread over a large area in North America from the Mississippi River valley, along the Great Lakes to eastern Canada, and through the land of Allegheny and Appalachian mountain ranges (Ignitia.com Editors). -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a restriction that angered a lot of people. It placed a tax on all newspapers, pamphlets, legal papers, and calenders (Ignitia.com Editors). In retaliation, the colonists set fires, rioted, and debated against the act. Patrick Henry was perhaps most vocal against the Stamp Act (Ignitia.com Editors). The Stamp Act caused such furor among the colonists that a secret organization called Sons of Liberty was formed (Ignitia.com Editors). -
First Continental Congress
To overcome the problems with England, the colonists called the First Continental Congress in September 1774 (Ignitia.com Editors). Fifty-six delegates from twelve colonies met in Philadelphia. The representatives eventually wrote the declaration of Rights and Grievances, which denounced the Intolerable Acts as unjust and unconstitutional (Ignitia.com Editors). The representatives also prepared a list of colonial rights that included life, liberty, and property (Ignitia.com Editors). -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence expressed a bold new idea about the rights of the people (Ignitia.com Editors). Before this time, people believed that the only rights they had were those granted them by their government, The Declaration of Independence also broke all ties with England. The colonies became self-determining. The Declaration of Independence is often described as the turning point in colonial relationships with England (Ignitia.com Editor). -
Marbury vs. Madison
Marbury vs. Madison was an important court case because it established the principle that the Supreme court could declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. The case involved William Marbury, one of the judges appointed by former President John Adams before he left office (Ignitia.com Editors). Marbury had not been granted his commission of office before Jefferson took office. Marbury asked the Supreme court to force secretary of state James Madison to give him his commission.