1st successful British Colony was established in Jamestown.
1st successful British Colony was established in Jamestown.
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From Colonies to Revolution
Virginia House of Burgesses established & provided an example of a representative form of gov’t
-Mayflower Compact serves as an example of self-gov’t for the rest of the colonies to follow.
The French & Indian War Begins. Each individual colony begins to mobilize to help the British fight against the French and their Native American allies.
Albany Plan of Union: Delegates from all 13 colonies met to discuss the possibility of uniting together under British rule in order to fight against the French
The Sugar Act: The British tax sugar, employed customs officers, and created courts to collect tax/prosecute smugglers.
Proclamation of 1763: Britain limited colonial settlement and forbid colonists to move anywhere west of the Appalachian Mountains
The Quartering Act: The British required the colonies to provide housing & supplies for British troops stationed in the colonies.
The Townshend Acts: Parliament levied (issued) new duties (taxes) on imported glass, lead, paint, paper and tea.
The Boson Massacre! Colonists threw snowballs at British soldiers. In the confusion, the nervous soldiers opened fire. 5 colonists died.
The Boson Tea Party: colonists dressed as Native Americans boarded 3 British ships & destroyed all the tea on board.
First Continental Congress: 12 out of 13 colonies (GA no show) met in Philadelphia and decided that ALL colonies should boycott ALL British goods.
Battles of Lexington & Concord: Fighting erupted when British troops attempted to seize weapons stockpiled in Concord, Massachusetts.
Second Continental Congress: Representatives meet again in Philadelphia & quickly authorize General George Washington to for the Continental Army.
Olive Branch Petition: The Second Continental Congress sends the Olive Branch Petition to King George III to ease tensions & tell the king that the colonies are still loyal to him but not to Parliament.
Common Sense: Thomas Paine’s wrote a book called Common Sense which sold 150,000 copies. Its purpose was to persuade the colonists to declare independence & break away from Britain.
The Stamp Act: Parliament required colonists to pay taxes on all printed materials (newspapers, deeds, books, contracts).
Declaration of Independence: The colonies officially declared their independence. Thomas Jefferson was the author and was inspired by the Enlightenment philosophers such as John Locke (natural rights, social contract theory)