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Navigation Acts
Only English ships would be allowed to bring goods into England, and that the North American colonies could only export its commodities, such as tobacco and sugar, to England. -
French and Indian War Ends
Treaty of Paris ends French and Indian war, France cedes all of their North American territories East of the Mississippi River to Britain. -
Stamp Act
Imposed to provide increased revenues to support the British Empire, including taxes on legal writs, newspaper advertisements, and ships’ bills of trading. Colonists effectively outlawed this by refusal to use the stamps, starting riots and much else. -
Boston Massacre
A small British army detachment threatened by a mob opened fire, killing five people. These men were put on trial successfully defended by John Adams. -
Tea Act
Granted the East India Company the right to ship its tea directly to the colonies without landing it in England, and to commission agents who would have the sole right to sell tea in the colonies. -
Boston Tea Party
Political protest in Boston harbor, showed the boycott of British trade and goods. -
Intolerable Acts
Push back from Britain to limit rights of people and heavy taxation, started the beginning of the revolution. -
First Continental Congress
Called by Committees of correspondence in response to intolerable acts, fifty six delegates represent colonies (except Georgia). -
Lexington and Concord
Battle of British and Colonies, American victory, Paul revere and riders raising the alarm. -
Declaration of Independence Adopted
Written by Thomas Jefferson under congresses’ recommendation to form their own government, voted for on July second and adopted on the 4th. -
Battle of Saratoga
Battles that resulted in the defeat of the British, gaining America’s independence. -
Winter at Valley Forge
Following failures at battles of Brandywine and Germantwon, Washington and 11,000 troops took up winter quarters at Valley Forge, emerging in June as an efficient fighting force. -
Battle of Yorktown
Cornwallis enters Yorktown, Virginia and groups with other British troops. Washington’s army and the French defeat Cornwallis forcing him to surrender. -
U.S. Constitution Written
Written to formally establish government in the US, showed people that the government was fighting for them and their independence. -
U.S. Constitution Adopted
Established March 9, 1789, after New Hampshire ratified.