-
Navigation Acts
Went until 1660
Cause: British parliament wanted to impose taxes on colonial trade.
Effect: Prevented colonists from shipping anything without first stopping in England. -
French and Indian war ends
Cause: American Indians and French forces both wanted the same land
Effect: The war gave Britain large land gains. Ended with the treaty of Paris in 1763 -
Stamp Act
Cause: British government wanted more money from the colonists
Effect:This act required colonists to pay a tax on paper items, documents, cards, etc. -
Boston Massacre
Cause: British soldiers were sent to collect taxes from Boston citizens
Effect:A mob throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks were attacked by British soldiers. It was described as an act of self defense by the soldiers. -
Tea Act
Cause: The colonists we’re boycotting British goods.
Effect: This act allowed companies to ship their tea directly to colonies without first having to stop at England. This also removed some taxes. -
Boston Tea Party
Cause: The British government were taxing American colonists unfairly.
Effect: A group of colonists dressed as Indians boarded a large British tea shipment and threw boxes of tea into the ocean. -
Coercive/Intolerable Acts
Cause: we’re meant to warn colonies of consequences of rebellious behavior after the Boston tea party
Effect: Closed the port of Boston, centralized British authority. -
First Continental Congress
Cause: In response to coercive/intolerable acts, colonists met to decide what to do about the British government
Effect: They adopted a declaration of rights. -
Second Continental congress
Cause: Assembled because Britain would not repeal the Intolerable acts
Effect: Delegates of the American colonies decided to declare independence from Great Britain. -
Lexington and Concord
Cause:A gunshot was fired in a peaceful colonist settlement. Effect:The British attacked, which killed many colonists. “The shot heard around the world”. Was the first shot of the American War of Independance. -
Declaration of Independence adopted
Cause: American colonists wanted to officially declare independence.
Effect:This document severed the American colonies political connections from Great Britain, also stating the colonists want for independance. -
Winter at Valley Forge
Went until 1778
Cause: Lack of food and money created a very harsh environment for soldiers.
Effect:Soldiers stayed in trenches and were very susceptible to disease and cold. Morale was kept up however, General Washington insisted on staying with his men. -
Battle of Saratoga
Cause: The British were trying to invade New England from Canada.
Effect:The Americans defeated what seemed like a superior British and greatly lifted army and nation morale. -
Battle of Yorktown
Cause: British troops were staying in place so they could receive fresh supplies.
Effect:The American army, led by General Washington, surrounded and bombarded British forces until they surrendered. Started the end of the war. -
U.S. Constitution written
Was done on September 17, 1787
Cause: Was written to protect citizens and the states.
Effect:Established America’s fundamental laws and government, also giving basic rights for its citizens. -
U.S. Constitution adopted
Cause: Founders set terms for ratifying the Constitution. Effect:Bypassed state legislatures and called for ratifying conventions in each state.