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Trial of John Peter Zenger
Established no new law with respect to seditious libel, but in unmistakable terms it signaled the public's opposition to such prosecutions. Concern about likely jury nullification discouraged prosecutions, and press freedom in America began to blossom. As members of the First Congress debated the proposed Bill of Rights, would write "The trial of Zenger in 1735 was the germ of American freedom, the morning star of that liberty which subsequently revolutioized America." -
Albany Congress
To secure the support and cooperation of the Iroquois in fighting the French, and to form a colonial alliance based on a design by Benjamin Franklin.
Significance: Articles of Confederation creation -
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Fort Ticonderoga
Built by the Canadians and French. The site controlled a river portage alongside the mouth of the rapids-infested La Chute River in the 3.5 miles (5.6 km) between Lake Champlain and Lake George and was strategically placed in conflicts over trade routes between the British-controlled Hudson River Valley and the French-controlled Saint Lawrence River Valley. -
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Seven Years War
War between major Eurepoen countries fighting for the land in the New World. Spain, French, and Britian were the major powers of the New World. It is significant because all the european powers were fighting for the land in colonies. One of the reaasons it was important because during a battle between the french and english Braddock was killed. The defeat of Braddock was followed by the outbreak between Britain and Franch. The war was recognized as the French and Indian war in the Colonies. -
Treaty of Paris 1763
France lost all its possessions on the North American mainland. All east of Mississppi was Great Britain's excpet New Orleans. Spain gave Britain Florida. -
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Pontiac's Rebellion
Native American uprising against the British just after the close of the French and Indian Wars. After conquering New France (Old Canada), the English aroused the resentment of the Western tribes by treating them arrogantly, refusing to supply them with free ammunition (as the French had done), building forts, and permitting white settlement on Native Americanowned lands. -
Sugar Act
A law passed to raise revenue in the colonies by lowering the molases price. It also increased the restrictions on colonial commerce. -
Stamp Act
Formed by Grenville, a tax requiring the colonist to pay a direct tax for paper materials such newspapers/publications , documents, or cards. The idea of "taxation without respresentation is tranny" was created. The sons of liberty also came into creation in protesting the stamp act. -
Repeal Of Stamp Act
Because of the nonimportation protest in the colonies the Stamp act was repealed by the British. The boycott had spread throughout the colonies which lead to the repeal and decrease of duties in the sugar act. With the repeal came another act, the Declaratory act. -
Declaratory Act
Law passed in 1776 which stated that Parliament had the authority to legislate for the colonies "in all cases whatsoever." It was the notion of absolute parliamentary supermacy over colonial matters was to the British theory of empire. -
Boston Massacre
After months of increasing friction between townspeople and the British troops stationed in the city, British troops fired on American civilians in Boston. Caused more tension in the colonies. -
Tea Act
Americans were buying smuggled tea from the Dutch instead of the British. So East India lowered their tea prices so the Americans can buy the tea but the Colonists still did not buy their tea. -
Boston Tea Party
Political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston disguised as Indians boarded the ships and threw the tea into the Boston Harbor. It was against the tax policy of the British government and the East India Company that controlled all the tea imported into the colonies -
First Continental Congress
Was a convention of delegates from twelve British North American colonies, it was called in response to the passage of the Coercive Acts. Every colony but Georgia went. The Congress met briefly to consider options, including an economic boycott of British trade; rights and grievances; and petitioning King George III for redress of those grievances. -
Intolerable Acts
AKA Coercive Acts. First the Boston Port Act close the port of Boston to all trade until local citizens would agree to pay for the lost tea. The Massachusetts Government Act increased the power of Massachusetts' royal govenor at the expense of the legislature. The Administration of Justice Act provided that roal officals accused of crimes in Massachusetts could be tried elsewhere. The Quartering Act allowed the new govenor to quarter his troops anywhere, including unoccupied private homes. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
It was the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. The first shots were fired at Lexington. The militia were outnumbered and fell back, and the regulars proceeded on to Concord, where they searched for the supplies. Only a relief force of additional British troops saved the first column from destruction. -
Second Continental Congress
Met in Philadelphia. Congress was divided into two main factions. One side was mostly New Englanders leaning towards declaring independance from Britain while the other drew strength primarily from the middle colonies and were not ready to go that far. They adopted the New England army around Boston. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
More British generals arrived in Boston urging Gage to further aggressive action. British determined to remove them by a frontal attack that would demonstrate the awesome power of British arms. Twice the British were thrown back and finally succeeded as the Americans ran out of ammunition. -
Olive Branch Petition
Attempt to avoid a full-blown war with Great Britain. The petition affirmed American loyalty to Great Britain and entreated the king to prevent further conflict, They wanted to restore peace with Britain. -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine published a pamphlet calling for immediate independance. Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of America and was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. -
Virginia Declaration of Rights
A document drafted in 1776 to proclaim the inherent rights of men, including the right to rebel against "inadequate" government. -
Declaration of Independence
The document by which the Second Continential Congress announced and justified its decision to renounce the colonies' allegiance to the British governments. -
Battle of Long Island
Washington narrowly avoided being trapped there (an escape partially due to Howe's slowness). It was the largest battle of the entire conflict, and the first battle in which an army of the United States engaged, having declared itself a nation only the month before. -
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
It promoted religious freedom for the state of Virginia. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison promoted the bill for years before it was finally passed by the Virginia legislature. At the time, the Anglican Church was officially recognized as the state religion. The law disestablished that denomination. An alternative proposal that many other denominations be recognized was rejected. -
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Battles of Saratoga
Burgoyone's two attempts to break through were turned back by the Americans under the brilliant battlefield leadership of Benedict Arnold. It was the turning point in the war. The American victory at Saratoga convinced the French to join openly in the war against England. -
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Valley Forge
Area of PN where George Washington's continental troops were quartered from December to Juen while British forces occupied Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War. -
Ratification of Articles of Confederation
The articles of confederation provided for a unicameral Congress in which the state would have one vote. It showed a weak government of federal structure which showed that it wasnt possible to run with that. All the colonies were not ready to let go of their power/control to come together. -
Battle of Yorktown
Last major battle of the Revolutionary War, it was supported ny French naval and military forces. With the aid of a French fleet which took control of Chesapeake Bay and a French army that joined him in sealing off the land approaches to Yorktown, Washington succeeded in trapping Cornwalllis. Which led to the surrender of Cornwallis. -
Treaty of Paris
The United States was recognized as an independent nation by th emajor European powers. Its Western boundart was set at the Mississppi River. Its souther bounfry was at 31 degrees noth latitude. Britain retained Canada but had to surrender Florida to Spain. Private British creditors would be freee to collect any debts owed by U.S. citizens. Congress was to recommend that the states restore confiscated loyalist porperty. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
Act passed by Congress under the Articles of Confederation that created the grid system of surveys by which all subsequent public land wasa made available for sale. Policy made my Congress that sets aside one section of land in each township for public education. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Legislation that prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territories and provided the model for the incorporation of future territories into the union as co-equal states.
Granted limited self-government to the developing territory and prohibited salvery in the region. -
George Washington Inauguration
Marked the first four year term of presidency. Start of new government in the Colonies.
