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The enlightenment was a European intellectual movement that took place between 17th and 18th centuries. Themes of the enlightenment included ideas of God, humanity, nature, and reason which inspired a new worldview. This worldview spread popular the ideas of art, philosophy, and politics in the west. The enlightenment was an idea that was used to give reason of the power humans have to understand the universe.
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The conjointion of Scotland and England formed the United Kingdom, who would later invade America -
In 1774, the British Parliament passed a series of laws known as the Intolerable Acts. The intent was to suppress rebellion in Boston. It achieved this by closing the port and placing it under martial law. In response a group known as the Sons of Liberty issued a call for a boycott amongst the colonial protestors. -
The French and Indian War was a war that was resulted from ongoing frontier tension in North America between French and British imperial officials and colonists. During the conflict, each side enlisted the support of many Native American Tribes. The The seven year war ended and the treaty of Paris was signed. This lead to disputes over cost of the war.
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Britain heavily taxed sugar and molasses. This would start the flame for the Boston Tea Party -
This act imposed a direct tax, represented by a stamp on most paper goods including newspaper, documents, and playing cards. This outraged the colonies, as it taxed nearly every part of colonial life. This only brewed unrest in the colonies, giving growth to rebellion. It also led to protests and boycotts from groups like the Sons of Liberty. -
The sons of liberty were a secret underground society united by the political fallout during the Seven Years War. The group was outraged over the Stamp Act and Quartering Act, as they forced citizens to house soldiers and taxed every part of colonial life. In response, the group instigated riots and inspired rebellion throughout the colonies. There most famous act was in 1773, where they were the driving force behind the Boston Tea Party
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The Townshend Act was a series of British acts of Parliament introduced in 1766 and 1767. The law imposed tax on glass, lead, paper, paint, and tea. They were named after Charles Townshend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who proposed the idea for the act. As a result, there was an increase in colonial resistance which led to growing tensions. -
British officers were stationed in Boston to enforce the unpopular Townshend Acts. A young man named Edward Garrick struck a British soldier on the head with a musket. In response, 7 British soldiers and an officer came to his aid and fired into a crowd of protesting Bostonians, killing 5 and wounding 6. John Adams would later advocate for a fair trial for all, despite being on the side of the founding fathers. -
The sons of Liberty started create unrest in the colonies which led to rebellion. At the culmination of this unrest, a group of Americans, unhappy with the new acts dumped about 1.7 million dollars of tea into the Boston harbor. This was the main catalyst for the American Revolution. -
The Intolerable Acts were a series of laws passed by British Parliament to punish Massachusetts In response to the Boston Tea Party. The acts included the Boston Port Act, the Massachusetts Government Act, the Administration of Justice Act, and the Quartering Act. These acts were designed to oppress colonial spirits and discourage rebellion. However, they only served to increase resistance and spark more resistance within the colonies. -
These were the first battles of the revolutionary war. These battles forced Britain back to Boston. Paul Revere was sent to discretely warn citizens to prepare for what was to come. After a hard fought battle, roughly 250 Redcoats and 90 colonists perished in the battle, which sparked hope in the colonies that they might have a chance. -
The Second Continental Congress took place in Philadelphia, shortly after the wear begun. It was a large gathering of delegates from the colonies to discuss the war. Preceding it was the First Continental Congress in the fall of 1774. The Congress appointed George Washington to be commander of the Continental Army and authorized the use of conscription. -
British Commander Sir Thomas Gage was order to crush the colonial forces. In early June, he coordinated an attack against Americans on the North and South of Boston. However, details of the attack were leaked and over 1,000 Americans, more a mob than soldiers, were deployed to defend a hill in Charlestown. In the end, the British won. however the British had twice as many casualties and lost many officers. -
The Olive Branch Petition was the colonies' last attempt to prevent a war declaration. The petition emphasized loyalty to the crown and their rights as British citizens. The congress met and signed by several members, then adopted by congress. King George III however, refused to read the petition and instead declared his own proclamation of rebellion on August 23rd. -
Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776. At the time, the author was considered an "obscure immigrant," however his work shifted the political landscape of the patriot movement from reform with the British to independence. In only three months, over 120,000 copies were sold and was considered the best selling printed work by a single author at the time. It's main selling point was that it was considered accessible for the common folk in America. -
Congress voted to declare independence from Britain. This would truly start the war -
The declaration of independence was officially ratified and went into effect. This declared America as legally seceded from Britain -
Delegates signed the declaration, making it legal and creating independence hall. -
The Battle of Trenton was a surprise attack on Hessian, the German mercenaries hired by the British. The Continental Army was led by General George Washington, who led his troops to a crucial victory in Trenton, New Jersey. The attack took place on Christmas night, a surprise attack on the mercenaries that they were not ready for. The attack ended in success and set the stage for another success at Princeton a week later, leading to a boost in troop morale. -
Battle fought in two stages, commanded by general Washington, and turning point in the war.This event, also known as the battle of Freeman's Farm was a huge morale booster for patriot troops -
The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental congress on November 15, 1777, serving as the United State's first constitution. It was only in effect from 1781 to 1789, when the current constitution was adopted. The document established a "league of friendship" between the 13 states. Ultimately, they were replaced because the national the national government they created was too weak to use to govern the United States. -
The Battle of Camden was a major battle fought on August 16, 1780. It served as a devastating defeat to the Americans in the early stages of the British offensive in the South. After capturing Charleston just 3 months prior, British forces under General Charles Lord Cornwallis established a supply depot and garrison at Camden as a part of their campaign against South Carolina. The battle was ultimately won by the British forces, causing a significant blow to American causes in the south. -
At the end of the war, Washington forced the surrender of Britain who was now also dealing with France. This happened as Britain was effectively cut off from all supplies, and they had essentially no choice but to surrender. The British had no choice but to free the colonies from their control. This ultimately gave the colonies freedom and allowed them to become the United States of America. -
The British had no choice but to recognize American independence after the battle of Yorktown. This document was signed by the U.S. and Britain, ending the war. America was now officially recognized as it's own country. The colonies would later go on to become independent states and create the Articles of Confederation. -
The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia between May and September of 1787. It was held to address the problems of the weak central government that operated under the Articles of Confederation. The constitution helped create a stronger central government with more specific powers. After state ratification, the Constitution was adopted in 1789 and serves the United States to date.
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The 3/5 compromise was an agreement reached by the Constitutional Convention which ruled that enslaved people would count as 3/5 of a person when it came to taxation and representation. That meant they could not vote, only partially be included in the census, which dictated the amount of members in the House of Representatives. This was a battle of control between the North and South, as Northern states had fewer enslaved people and did not want to count them as people, while the south did. -
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It's purpose was to define the structure of Congress. IT was created in order to establish equal representation in the House of Representatives. This plan seemingly resolved the most controversial aspect of the Constitution's creation. -
New Hampshire cast the deciding vote in favor of ratifying the Constitution. Previously, the nation was governed under the Articles of Confederation, a much weaker document. This allowed the states to act more independent. Ever since, the constitution has become the governing body of the United States. -
The Bill of Rights act was passed in 1688 . This gave the first 10 amendments to the constitution. These gave guarantee of basic rights and freedom to individuals. It also limited the federal government's power. It also guaranteed civil liberties to all individuals, with rules such as free speech, religion, and press.