American Revolution

Sugar Act

Jan 25, 1764

Stamp Act

Jan 25, 1765

Boston Massacre

Jan 25, 1770

Boston Tea Party

Jan 25, 1770

The Battle of Lexington

Jan 25, 1775

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

The Declaration reflects several ideas of John Locke: Government's duty protect the people's natural right. People have the right "to alter or abolish" unjust governments. Popular Sovereignty which states that all government power comes from the people.

Battle of Saritoga

Sep 19, 1777

Surrender of York Town

Sep 28, 1781

Constitutional Convention

Sep 25, 1786

Ratification of the US Consitution

Sep 25, 1987

There was also a separation of powers among the judicial legislative and executive branches a concept borrowed from Montesquieu. They saw the government in terms of a social contract in which "We the people of the United States" entered