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Zenger Trial
The Zenger trial left an impact on the American thought of jurisprudence. "The Zenger trial established no new law with respect to seditious libel" (The Trial of John Peter Zenger: An Account), but it did lay the foundation for American press freedom. Key people in the trial were ofcourse, John Peter Zenger who was defended by Andrew Hamilton. -
Albany Congress
Benjamin Franklyn proposed his Albany plan at the meeting infront of representatives from 7 of the 13 colonies. The Albany plan was rejected, due to colonies not willing to give up some of their power. The Albany plan would later become the foundation for the Articles of Confederation -
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Seven Years War
War fought in Europe, North America, and India between 1756 and 1763, pitting France and its allies against Great Britain and its allies. Although the war began in 1756, hostilities took place two years earlier when George Washington ambushed a small group frencht near the Ohio River valley. At this point the Ohio River Valley was believed to play a major role in the ensuing battles. Another reason for hte war might be Britains lust for more land and destroying the French colonial empire. -
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Pontiac's rebellion
In May 1763, the Indian confederacy organized and attacked all the British forts near the West. Indians killed more than 2,000 settlers in raids near the backlands. General Amherst proposed to "send the smallpox among the disaffected tribes", leading to the first form of germ warfare. The rebellion was lead by multiple chiefs, including Pontiac, who were all influenced by Neolin. Neolin's teachings combined with the disatisfaction from the Seven Years war the Indians revolted. -
Treaty of Paris
The treaty of Paris ended the American Revolutionary War, between the United States of American and Great Britain. The treaty was very generous to the United States, as it expanded boundaries at the expence of Britain's indian allies' land. Also protections that the Americas received from Britain were withdrawn. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was a law passed in 1764 by parliament to raise revenue in the American colonies. "It lowered the duty from 6 pence to 3 pence per gallon on foreign molasses imported into the colonies and increased the restrictions on colonial commerce." (Out of Many, A History of the American People, page 175). The sugar act was passed in an attempt for Britain to collect on taxes that colonials were previously evading. The economic growth would later become a factor in the American revolution -
Stamp Act
The stamp act was a tax imposed by British Parliament on the colonies. It taxed paper that would be commonly used. The tax lead to a greatly disatisfied populus in the Americas which would later play a key role in stimulating the American Revolution. It also inspired a famous saying known today, "No taxation, without representation", a key stimulation of the American Revolution. -
Declaratory Act
The declaratory was an attempt of British parliament to repeal the Stamp act. The premise of creating the Declaratory act was due mainly to boycotts in the colonies which were hurting British trade. The declaratory act allowed for British parliament to pass laws that were binding in the Americas. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre landmark even of the American revolution. During the "massacre", British foot soldiers opened fire on civilians without any permission. Five were killed and injured six. Acting governer Thomas Hutchinson dispersed the crowed after the shooting by promising an inquiry. "Defended John Adams... six of the soldiers were acquitted and the other two convicted of manslaughter". -
Tea Act
"The tea act allowed for the East India Company to sell through agents in American without paying the duty customarily collected in Britain, thus reducing the retail price."(Out of Many, A History of the American People, pg 181). By lowering the price of tea, one can assume that quantity demanded would rise, howeverdue to the Townshebd Acts, the tax emposed on colonies would outrage the colonists which would later lead to the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was an effort by Boston colonists to destroy the tea that would be imported from the East India Company, in order to avoid paying a tax on it. The Boston Tea Party would later directly lead to the American Revolution. The colonists did not believe they should be forced to pay taxes for the tea, because they were not properly represented, hence the saying "No taxation, without representation". The Bostom Tea Party would later be a factor in the Intolerable Acts. -
Battle of Lexington
Lexington and Concord were the first battles between British forces and the colonial militia. General Gage had sent troops from Boston to seize teh stores of military equipment of the Massachusetts milita. -
First Continental Congress
The first continental congress was a convention consisting of delegates from twelve British North American colonies. During the convention the delegates had agreed to petition the enforcement of the Intolerable Acts, refusal by the British empire would later lead to the second continental congress which would decide on the need for a revolution. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were constructed by Parliament in order to punish Massachusettes for the recent uprising in colonial rebellion, most noteably the Boston Tea Party. The Intolerable Acts was made up of the Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act, Quartering Act , and the Quebec Act. -
Battle of Concord
700 men under General Gage's control marched towared capturing the American ammunition store at the town of Concord. Paul Revere and William Dawes were dispatched to warn the milita on the countryside of the raid. Battles had ensued in Lexington in which British soldiers fired at colonists without permission, this later lead to an ambush on the British which would force them to return to Boston. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress consisted of delegates from thte thirteen colonies. It took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The meeting consisted of managing the colonial war effort, and moving towards independence. Notable delegates of the convention include Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was written by John Dickinson of Pennsylvania. It was simply an attempt by the continental congress to avoid full out war with Britain. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
General Gage attemped to take on a frontal assault on Boston. Althought the British succeeded in routing the Americans, they suffered a humiliating loss. The loss ended any opportunity for the Olive Branch Petition to be accept by Britain. Instead it was rejected and Britain was ready for a war, declaring the colonists to be in "open and avowed rebellion". Althought the battle took place at Breed's Hiil, it is known as the Battle of Bunker Hill. -
Common Sense
In 1776 Thomas Pain wrote Common sense. It was meant to persuade citizens to use "simple fact, plain argument, and common sense", focusing mainly on logos appeal. Common Sense was an important writting during the Revolutionary era as it was able to inspire the colonists to seek a new and just America. -
Virginia Declaration of Rights
The declaration of rights proclaimed the inherent rights of man. It layed down the central foundation for later documents in the United States, such as the Bill of Rights. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the continental congress. It stated that the thirteen coloneis regard themselves as free states, separate from Britain. Thomas Jefferson created the original draft. The declaration clearly stated the reason that the continental congress found powerful enough to being the American Revolutionary War -
Battle of Long Island
The Battle of Long Island was the first major battle after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Continental Army was lead by George Washington during this confrontation. Also, this is the first battle where the United States initiated teh confrontation with Britain -
Valley Forge
No battle may have taken place in Valley Forge but it was an important location for the Revolutionary war. It provided an easily defendable stronghold for the American colonists although, they did face a harsh winter while staying there. The will to a free nation from Britain allowed teh colonists to endure this winter and allowed for them to unify as an individual army rather than a multiple militias. -
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Bill for establishing Religious Freedom
This bill was written by Thomas Jefferson. "The bill states that "no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious Worship place or Ministry … nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief …".' (Virginia Foundation for Humanities). At the time of its introduction in 1779 it was very contreversioal and was not established until 1786 -
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Battle of Yorktown
The combined armies of the french lead by Admiral De Grasse and the colonies lead by George Washington were able to overwhelm the British at Yorktown. The event was of "incalculable importance" as the British were forced to surrender. -
Treaty of Paris (1783)
The treaty marked the end of the Revolutionary War, as well as the defeat of the British empire. -
Land Ordinance
The Land Ordinance was the result of the United States not being able to tax. Through the Land Ordinance the United States was able to gain economic wealth by selling land west of the land obtained by the treaty of Paris. It was first proposed in 1784 by Thomas Jefferson -
Northwest Ordinance
The ordinance created a region in the region northwest of Ohio and east of the Mississippi river -
Inauguration of George Washington
George Washington would be the first president of the United States, serving a four-year term. John Adams had already taken office at the time, as vice president. The ceremony took place in Federal Hall in New York City, where the first United States Congress met.
