-
House of Burgessed
The Government system of the British colony of Jamestown, Virginia. The first representative government in the New World. -
Mayflower Compact
It was an agreement. The first governing document of the Plymouth Colony after they arrived in New England. -
Articles of Confederation created
This gave each state independence, Congress could pass laws but they could not enforce them. Basically, it gave the states more power. -
The Proclamation of 1763
This declared that the colonists could not settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. This was done by the British. -
Sugar Act
An act passed by British Parliament, added tax to molasses and sugar. The money was for the British. -
Stamp Act
The British put tax on paper products: books, paper, etc. This turned the colonists against the British. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act said that British Parliament had supreme control in the colonies. -
Repeal of Stamp Act
British Parliament votes to repeal the Stamp Act and King George III approves the repeal. -
Boston Massacre
When provoked, British troops fired into a crowd and killed 5 Boston colonists. -
Boston Tea Party
Boston colonists dressed up as Native Americans, climbed on a British ship and poured most of the tea into the Boston Harbor. -
First Continental Congress
The Colonies met to come up with a way to have the crown get rid of the intolerable acts and other taxes. -
Intolerable Acts
To punish Massachusetts after the Boston Tea Party. -
Second Continental Congress
The colonies met in order to see if they could reconnect with Britain and if not, prepare for war. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The British won with a big loss of people. The Colonists didn't lose nearly as many. This showed the British that the colonists would be harder to beat than they originally thought. -
Revolutionary War
The war between the Colonies and Britain begins. -
Declaration of Independence is written
13 colonies became 13 states, but aren't united under 1 central government. -
"Common Sense" published
Thomas Paine published "Common Sense" in Philadelphia. It was a pamphlet to gain support against the British. -
Battle at Saratoga
This was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. The British retreated and the victory bought France to help fight along side the colonists. -
British Soldiers occupy Philadelphia
British took many American prisoners who died in Philadelphia. -
Alliance between America and France
Benjamin Franklin formed this alliance which led to France and Great Britain going to war. -
Last battle of Revolutionary War
The 13 states set up federal government under laws called the Articles of Confederation. -
Treaty of Paris
Ended the Revolutionary War. -
Representatives from 5 states meet at Annapolis, Maryland to discuss interstate trade
Because so few representatives showed up, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison called for another convention to be held in Philadelphia. -
The Constitutional Convention begins on May 25 in Philadelphia
55 representatives attend and begin drafting the constitution. On September 17, 1787, the constitution comes to an end and the representatives sign. -
The Constitution becomes the law
New Hampshire is the last and final state to approve.