Change Over Time: Changes to American Society and Culture from 1700-1812 - The Road to a new American Republic (CM)
By cshelow
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The First Great Awakening
The First Great Awakening was a religious revival that started in the 1730's. During this Great Awakening, protestant evangelists rejected traditional forms of worship and promoted vigorous emotional worship. While this revival in religious worship happened both in Britain and the British colonies, it was much more impactful in the colonies, specifically in New England colonies. This awakening is the beginning of a separation from the colonies to the British empire. 1 -
The French and Indian War
The French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years War, was the decisive match between the British and the French in America. This war lasted nine years, ending in 1763 and resulted in the French surrendering to the British. The result of this war provides the British with the entire coast of the Americas (from present day Canada to Georgia), and ultimately has huge financial implications on the British Empire.2 -
The Treaty of Paris (1763)
The Treaty of Paris of 1763 signifies the end of the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years War. This treaty ultimately outlines that the French will surrender their land of New France to the British. This treaty is the final stage of the British gaining their control of the American colonies, and ties the British empire and the colonists closely together. While this was a huge victory for the British, the financial toll that it takes has later implications on historical events. 3 -
Currency Act of 1764
The Currency Act of 1764 is the first imperial reform after the French and Indian War. This act prohibits the colonies from printing additional paper money and requires colonists to pay the British merchants in gold and silver instead of paper money. The purpose of this act is to stabilize the currency used in Atlantic trade, but ultimately begins a series of imperial reforms that create a rift between the British empire and the colonies. 4 -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre is truly the beginning of what becomes the American Revolution. On a day in early March 1770, a crowd of colonists in Boston, Massachusetts begin to throw snowballs, rocks and sticks at British soldiers that are guarding the customs house. As a result of this, British soldiers fire on the crowd and kill five people. The location of this incident is important, as it is the center of what is and will become the resistance to the British rule. 5 -
The Boston Tea Party
Starting with the Currency Act of 1764, the British Empire begin imperial reforms to gain some control over the American colonies after the French and Indian War. Over the nine years leading up to the Boston Tea Party, the British government enforce a number of acts, including the Tea Act of of 1773. As a result, on a mid-December night colonists, some disguised as Mohawks, dump all of the tea into the Boston harbor. This action sparks further acts of resistance up and down the east coast. 6 -
The Declaration of Independence
Following the Boston Tea Party, as punishment the British government enforced the Intolerable Acts, which led to the First Continental Congress and the beginning of separation from British government. In the next two and a half years, several confrontations occur which lead to the creation and signing of the Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776, fifty-six delegates of the Continental Congress sign to sever ties with the British government. The American Revolution officially begins. 7 -
Treaty of Paris (1783)
After the British defeat at Yorktown, the outcome of the war became a certainty that the British will lose. Throughout the next two years, informal peace negotiations began between Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay and the British government in Paris. On September 9, 1783, the Treaty of Paris is signed. This treaty officially recognizes the independence of the United States. 8 -
Constitutional Convention
In February 1787, after the uprising in western Massachusetts, the creation of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia is approved. The original purpose of the convention was to amend the Articles of Confederation. Starting in May 1787, fifty-five men met in secret in Philadelphia to draft a constitution. In September 1787, the draft is completed and while it is highly confrontation, it ultimately is voted on to pass as the Constitution of the United States. 9 -
Bill of Rights
After many American's challenged the 1787 Constitution, Anti-Federalists demanded the protection of individual rights. In a condition for acceptance of the Constitution, several states drafted the Bill of Rights and in 1789 they were accepted by Congress. In 1791, these Bill of Rights were adopted as the first ten amendments in the Constitution. This is the final step in the true beginning of the United States of America government. 10
