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Sugar Act
A tax passed by the British to pay for the debt created by the Seven Years War also known as the French and Indian War. It taxed sugar and decreased taxes on molasses in British colonies in America and the West Indies. It was also a use of mercantilism and restricted smuggling. -
Stamp Act
The British put a tax on the British colonies in America and required that printed materials in the colonies have to be produced on stamped paper produced in London with an embossed revenue stamp. This was at the time the British were in debt from the Seven Year's War also known as the French and Indian War. -
Boston Tea Party
Massachusetts colonists boarded British ships and dumped chests of tea in the Boston Harbor. This was a protest against the British for tax on tea (Tea Act of 1773). -
Intolerable Acts
When the British Parliament punished Massachusetts for the acts of the Boston Tea Party and closed the Boston Harbor. -
Revolutionary War
The Revolutionary war is when the thirteen American colonies fought for their independence from the British. This first began with the Battle of Lexington and Concord. -
Declaration of Independence
This was a formal statement by the continental congress claiming American's right to choose their own government. This was also the first formal statement by a nation's people to make that decision. -
Alliance With France
Benjamin Franklin decided to make an alliance with France to help fight against Great Britain. -
Treaty of Paris
Great Britain and the United States signed this treated that officially ended the Revolutionary War. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay discussed the Treaty of Paris with representatives of King George III. -
Constitution was Signed
At Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 39 of the 55 delegates debated then signed the United States Constitution. -
Three Branches of Government - U.S. Constitution went into effect
The United States Constitution went into affect which then created the 3 branches of Government these being, Executive, Judicial, and Legislative. -
Bill of Rights
Also known as the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. These Amendments guarantee civil rights and liberties to an individual, an example being the 1st Amendment rights: freedom of speech, press, religion, petition, and assembly.