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John Locke (1632-1704)
John Locke was an English Philosopher who wrote Second Treatise of Government. His ideas influenced Thomas Jefferson during the writing of the Declaration of Independence. -
Charles Montesquieu (1686-1755)
A French Political analyst who lived during the Age of Enlightenment. He wrote the Spirit of the Law which was his most influential writing. His writing and philosophy had a big influence on the founding Fathers. -
Fench and Indian War
Began in 1754 ended with the treaty of Paris in 1763. -
French Indian War (1756-1763)
The final colonial war. The English and French battled for colonial domination in North America. The English won, but the war caused huge debt for England -
Proclamation of 1763
Enacted by the King of England, it closed off the frontier to colonial expansion. -
Sugar Act
It was the first tax on the American Colonies. -
Currency Act
British Parliament passed the act to prevent the colonist from printing paper currency. -
The Quartering
Required colonies to provide barracks to British Soldiers. -
The Stamp Act
The tax required the colonists to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. -
Declaratory Act
It stated that British Parliament's taxing authority was the same in America as in Great Britain. -
Townsend Revenue Act
The act placed a tax on glass, paint, oil, lead, paper, and tea. -
Boston Massacre
A street fight in Boston, Massachusetts between a mob of patriots and British Soldiers. -
Sam Adams (1722-1803)
Among those who created a new Committee of Correspondence. Its purpose was to aid communication between patriots in Massachusetts. He organized the Boston Tea Party, although he did not take part in it. -
Boston Tea Party
Some angry townspeople in Boston stormed three British ships filled with tea and dumped all the tea into Boston harbor. This prevented the British East India Company from collecting taxes on the tea. -
Minutemen
First know to be organized in September 1774 in Worcester, Massachusetts they were small elite forces that were ready on a moments notice to fight. -
Administration of Justice Act
Put in place to ensure a fair trial for British officials charge with capital offenses while upholding the law in Massachusetts Bay Colony. -
Quebec Act
Passed by Parliament to put in place a permanent British administration in Canada which replaced the temporary government. -
Boston Port Act
British Parliament passed the act, closing the port of Boston and demanding payment for the tea the Boston residents dumped into the harbor. -
Massachusetts Government Act
Passed by the Parliament it gave its appointed governor wide ranging powers. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies met at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. They met to discuss what should be done about the intolerable Acts imposed on the colonies by Great Britain. -
George Washington (1732-1799)
George Washington commanded the Continental army from 1775 till 1783. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The American colonists won both battles -
"Give me Liberty or Give me Death" Speech
Patrick Henry's famous speech strongly encourages his countrymen to declare war against the British. -
Paul Revere (1735-1818)
Paul Revere's midnight ride warned the people living in the Boston area that the British Troops were approaching. -
Second Continental Congress
Met in Philadelphia and made up of delegates from the 13 colonies. Served as the government during the American Revolution. -
Battle at Bunker Hill
The British won. -
Abigail Adams (1744-1818)
She wrote a famous letter to her husband, John Adams to remind him to remember the women when considering the rights and liberties of the nation. -
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
Thomas Jefferson was appointed to a committee to draft to Declaration of Independence. -
Declaration of Independence
Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence which declares independence from the British. -
John Hancock (1737-1793)
He was the first member of the Continental Congress to sign the Declaration of Independence. -
Hessians
The First Hessians landed at Staten Island, New York. Hessians were German troops hired by the British to fight in the American Revolution. -
Martha Washington (1731-1802)
Visited Valley Forge to be with her husband and the troops during the war. Organized a a very large donation known as "the offering of the ladies" that went towards clothing for colonial soldiers -
The Battle of Saratoga
The American Colonists won. -
Articles of Confederation
The first written constitution of the United States. The articles named the new nation the United States of America. -
French Alliance
Treaty between France and the United States provided mutual military aid if war broke out between France and England. -
US Constitution Signed
Signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -
Benedict Arnold (1741-1801)
The American General conspired with the British to surrender the fort at West Port, New York. He was a traitor. -
Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804)
Appointed a senior aide to George Washington in running the Continental Army, he was put in charge at the Battle of Yorktown on its last night which was the last major battle of the Revolutionary war. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The British Surrendered -
John Adams (1735-1826)
Served as diplomat in Europe and helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris -
Treaty of Paris
It formally ended the American Revolutionary War.