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Navigation Acts
The British government was attempting to cut America off from their trade routes and therefore make it very difficult for them to get necessary goods and continue to prosper. This was one of the first negative things that Britain did against the colonists and was just the start of this reoccurring theme. Ended in 1660 -
French and Indian War Ends
The war that lasted for seven years ends after the Treaty of Paris is signed by France, Britain, and Spain. This was caused from France advancing south to get more land for trading. This effected the views on war in America and disagreements. -
Stamp Act
Act of the Parliament which was a direct tax and required that many printed materials in the colonies be produced on paper from London. It was the first tax directed only to the colonists and was due to the great debt that Britain was in. The effect was declining morale of colonists as they realized they were being targeted for their mistake. -
Boston Massacre
Nine British soldiers shot five people in a large crowd.This was caused by a small argument that quickly escalated. This gave anti-loyalists a very easy reason to get more on their side and ultimately led to the war. -
Tea Act
It granted the company the right to ship its tea directly to the colonies without first landing it in England, and to pay agents who would sell tea in the colonies. This was due to an excess amount of tea in storage that would soon go bad. This greatly affected merchants in the colonies and began an uproar. -
Boston Tea Party
Political protest in Boston, Massachusetts. American colonists, frustrated and angry at Britain dumped 342 chests of tea, imported by the British East India Company into the harbor. The event was the first major act of defiance to British rule over the colonists. This was caused from the tea act and was one of the early acts of violence against something Britain did. -
Intolerable Acts
A series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 after the Boston Tea Party. The laws aimed to punish Massachusetts colonists for their defiance in the Tea Party. This led to a lot of dislike toward Britain and even more people joining the cause for independence. -
Continental Congress #1
The First Continental Congress, comprised of delegates from 12 of 13 colonies, met in reaction to the Intolerable Acts. Ended October 26, 1774. This was caused from the intolerable acts and everything Britain was doing, and began the push for independence from Britain. -
Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. This was decided to be the only option after what had been going on and was officially the start of the war. This would lead to many deaths and in the end independence. -
Continental Congress #2
The Second Continental Congress occurred after the Revolutionary War had already begun to discuss what they wanted the next move to be, which was later decided to be independence. The start of the war called for a more official government and they needed to reconvene to discuss options and next moves. This led to the surge of the war. -
Declaration of Independence Adopted
The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and on August 2, 1776, delegates began signing it. The war made an official declaration necessary and was the start of a new nation. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga occurred during the second year of the American Revolution. It included two battles, that were fought eighteen days apart, and was a major victory for the Continental Army and a turning point in the war. This was caused from previous battles and war positioning and led to a turning point in the war for the colonists. -
Winter at Valley Forge
Valley Forge was a winter camp for the Continental Army, commanded by General George Washington. Ended June 19, 1778. A long stretch of fighting and a harsh winter ahead led to troops setting up camp in the battlefields and preparing for a long winter. This caused a massive battle and a push for the colonists win. -
Battle of Yorktown
After the surrender in Yorktown, it marked the conclusion of the last major battle of the American Revolution and the start of a new nation's independence. The entire war and everything before has all led up to this moment, the last fight and one that meant the official start of a new nation. -
Constitution Written
The United States Constitution is the world's longest surviving piece of its government. Being a new nation calls for new laws and a basis for government, and the constitution did just that and has now been the basis of our country for hundreds of years. -
Constitution Adopted
39 of the 55 delegates signed the new document, with many of those who did not sign having the reason of there not being a bill of rights. This officially made it the Constitution of the United States. Everything that has happened in our country since this day has been entirely built upon this constitution, and will continue to do so for many years.