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Navigation Acts
Parliament passed the Navigation Acts to manage trade with colonists and manufacturing, but they were not enforced well. As a result, smuggling and similar activities were normal for colonists. -
French and Indian War Ends
The French and Indian War was very expensive for Britain. George III and his advisors began to make colonists pay taxes, such as the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, or Tea Act. The colonists didn’t like these taxes, leading to events such as the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act put a tax on all commercial or legal documents, such as newspapers. The colonists were threatened by this tax, and other taxes, because they saw it as a violation of their rights. Although the Stamp Act was repented, colonists began to think about who should represent the colonies and make the laws. -
Boston Massacre
Colonists were throwing stones ad snowballs at British soldiers, so the soldiers fired on them. 5 colonists died, and they named it the Boston Massacre. More tension is created between Britain and the colonists as they are getting closer to the American Revolution. -
Tea Act
The British East India company had a monopoly on tea, and many Parliament members held shares in it. Colonists, of course, were not fond of the tax on tea, causing the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists responded to the Tea Act by throwing tea into the Boston Harbor. This resulted into the colonists discussing further action at the First Continental Congress. Later on, the Coercive Acts were made to punish the colonists for their actions. -
Coercive Acts
The Coercive Acts included the Boston Port Act, Quartering Act, and Administration of Justice Act; they were made to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. These acts forced the colonists to meet at the First Continental Congress in 1774. -
First Continental Congress
12 representatives from each colony, minus Georgia, met to discuss how to respond to Britain and their Coercive Acts. -
Second Continental Congress
After the events at Lexington and Concord, the Continental Army, led by George Washington, was formed here. -
Lexington and Concord
Colonists fought against the British soldiers in Massachusetts. They realized after this they needed an organized army, which was set up in the Second Continental Congress. The Shot Heard Round the World happened here. -
Declaration of Independence Adoopted
With Thomas Jefferson as the main author, the Declaration of Independence resembled many of John Locke’s ideas. It addressed many of the ideas that outraged the colonists. -
Battle of Saratoga
This battle is known to be the turning point in the war. It caused France joined the struggling Continental Army and gave them supplies, trained soldiers, and warships. -
Winter at Valley Forge
The winter created many problems for the Continental Army. Despite facing cold, hunger, and disease, George Washington kept the army intact. -
Battle of Yorktown
At this battle, the Continental Army forced the British army to surrender. -
US Constitution Written
In summer of 1787, the leaders of the nation gathered to create the Constitution. James Madison was a big part of it. The Constitution was influenced by Enlightenment ideas like the Declaration of Independence. -
US Constitution Signed
AFter being written in the previous year, The US Constitution was officially signed in 1788.