-
The Enlightenment
Image Citation - This was a time period in Europe in which philosophers advocated to remove the old traditional ways to welcome in logic and reason into the government. These philosophers published works about government and human nature for example. The Enlightenment began in the 1600's and the date given is when Thomas Hobbes published "Leviathan." 7/10
These philosophers inspired our founding fathers political ideals. -
French and Indian War
Image Citation - The French and Indian War or Seven Years War depending on where you live was fought between the British and colonists againts the French and American Indians. The battles were fought in North America. It lasted from 1755 (British defeat Ft. Duquesne), until 1763 (The Treaty of Paris). 4/10
This event rather then seperate the mother country from the colonies actually joined them with a common enemy. -
Proclomation Line of 1763
Image Citation - After the The French and Indian War the British passed this proclomation. It forbade settling West of the Appalachian. This was to avoid Indian conflict. It was'nt enforced so the colonists ignored it. 5/10
The colonists simply ignored it. While yes this shows the American Spirit to take life into your own hands, they didn't fight the British over this. Had little effect on the tension of the two. -
Stamp Act
Image Citation - This act forced all printed documents to have a stamp specifying that you had paid the tax. This quickly outraged the colonists and they responded by boycotting British goods. Britain was then forced to repeal the act. 7/10
This was very significant because not only did the colonists show they can fight back, but it also got the act repealed. A huge win for the colonists. -
Tea Act
Image Citation - This act placed a new tax on tea. Being that tea was a major import to the Americans, this did not sit well with them. 6/10
This definately inspired more hatred towards the tyrannical British and gave them another reason for independence and their anger towards the British. -
Boston Massacre
Image Citation - This, 'Massacre' occured when off duty British troops combated with colonial protesters. The protesters were advocating against the Stamp and Sugar Acts. Only 5 colonists died so it wasn't much of a massacre, but the Sons of Liberty used propaganda to portray it as one. Samuel Adams defended the soilders in trial. 6/10
This event certainly inspired colonial outrage, but some of it was based in fantasy. -
Boston Tea Party
Image Citation - The colonists were angry because of the Tea Act. As a form of protest a group called The Sons of Liberty dressed like Mohawk Indians boarded British trade vessels and threw 100's of boxes of tea into the Boston harbor. 7/10
This was a huge protest on the American side and showed their fighting spirit. Not only that but it led to the Intolerable Acts and the Continnental Congress. -
Intorerable Acts
Image Citation - The Intorerable Acts were passed to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party. The acts included were: no trial by jury, forced quartering of British troops and the blockade of the Boston harbor. 8/10
The colonists thought these acts to be ruthless and unfair. This also inspiried the First Continental Congress. -
First Continental Congress
Image Citation - Delegates from 12 colonies came together in Philadelphia to discuss the Intolerable Acts. Strongly against the acts, they sent a letter to King George III asking that he repeal it. However the letter was written in vain for he refused to. 7/10
This was one of the first examples of the colonies coming together to discuss politics. It clearly foreshadowed the union of the colonies. -
Lesington and Concord
Image Citation - British soilders heard that there was a weapon stockpile in Concord, Massachusetts. On their way there then engaged a group of farmers and militia. They won despite the colonists use of non contempory guerilla warfare. Many men volunteered to fight after. 8/10
The Americans had finally taken up arms against the British and defended what they thought was belonging of them. Surely revolution was to come. -
Declaration of Independence
Image Citation - This document finally declared independence from the crown of the British Empire. The primary author was Thomas Jefferson and it was signed by 56 delegates. The writing was inspired heavily by Enlightenment philosophers, Locke and Rousseau in particular. It also evinced 27 acts of British tyranny. 10/10
No longer would false diplomacy hold order. They were ready for war. -
Second Continental Congress
Image Citation - The delagates met again and this time the discussed the fighting that occured in Massachusetts. They also talked about independence and were split about 50/50. Until Thomas Paine wrote "Common Sense." This convinced them to go for it. They appointed a committee to write the declaration. 8/10
Short of actually writing the declaration this was the biggest move for independence. They had finally decided. -
End of The Enlightenment
Image Citation - See 'The Enlightenment' for imformation. While there isn't a definative end to the period, the date given is the start of the French Revolution, and is commonly used as an end marker. 7/10
These philosophers inspired our founding fathers political ideals.
