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French and Indian War Ends
In the end of the French and Indian war, France was defeated by the British. This war was later ended by the Treaty of Paris. This treaty forced France to surrender all of their American Possessions to the British and Spanish. Britain’s territorial gains in North America led to the American Revolution. -
Navigation Acts
The Navigation acts forced the colonists to sell certain products like sugar and tobacco only to England or English colonies. Products that were going to be sold in colonies from foreign nations had to pass through England first. This way a tax could be collected on foreign goods. While England was benefiting, the colonists had to pay more for the products. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act is when Britain began putting taxes on all commercial and legal documents. The king needed to pay off his war debt since no one was buying sugar. The British used this tax to collect revenues from the colonists. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a bloody slaughter and riot between the American colonists and the British. The colonists became even more angry and determined to be free from British rule. This event sparked the desire for American independence. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act permitted the East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies without a middleman. This made their company’s tea cheaper than any other tea. This was put into place because Britain still needed to pay off their war debt. This act eventually lead to the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was when American colonists dumped chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. The colonists were frustrated at Britain for neglecting “taxation without representation.” This showed Great Britain that Americans wouldn’t take taxation. -
Coercive / Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were laws passed by the British Parliament. These laws were meant to punish the Massachusetts colonists for the Boston Tea Party. -
First Continental Congress
The leaders of the colonies met to discuss what to do about Britain in the First Continental Congress. The colonists were upset by how they were being treated by the British. They sent a letter to the king, but nothing was accomplished. -
Lexington and Concord
These were the first battles that the colonists fought against the British. These battles started the Revolutionary War by it persuading many Americans to support the cause of independence. -
Second Continental Congress
In the Second Continental Congress, delegates from the thirteen colonies met in Philadelphia to plot the course of war. Since multiple acts of violence broke out between Britain and its American colonies. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence explained why the colonies should break away from Britain. It was approved by the Continental Congress, and was the separation of thirteen North American British colonies from Great Britain. This declared independence from the British rule. -
Battle of Saratoga
Battle of Saratoga had two crucial battles that were fought eighteen days apart. Britain surrendered October 17th, making it a win for the Americans. This was a major turning point since it was a victory for the Americans. -
Winter at Valley Forge
The American forces were being stationed at Valley Forge for six months. Many of the soldiers suffered from diseases. When they left on June 19th, 1778, the soldiers were better disciplined and stronger in spirit. They even won a victory against the British, in the Battle of the Monmouth. -
Battle of Yorktown
In the Battle of Yorktown, Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington as the French and American forces trapped the British. The British surrender and this battle ended the American Revolutionary War, making this the last major battle of the revolution. -
US Constitution Written
James Madison wrote the US Constitution during the Constitutional Convention or Philadelphia Convention. It was needed because of the previous system of government that failed. This would bind down rulers from having unjust laws, mainly directed towards Britain. -
US Constitution Adopted
James Madison introduced nineteen amendments. Congress adopted twelve amendments and sent them to the states for ratification. For the Constitution to be adopted, it needed nine out of thirteen states to ratify it. New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the constitution making it adopted. The US Constitution established Americas national government, laws, and the basic rights.
