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The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was an act of the Parliament of Great Britain that imposed a direct tax on the colonies of British America. The purpose of the tax was to help pay for troops stationed in North America after the British victory in the Sevens Years' War. -
The Boston Port Act
The Boston Port act was one of the Intolerable Acts. The act closed down the port of Boston and demanded that the city's residents pay for the nearly $1 million worth (in today's money) of tea dumped into the Boston harbor during the Boston Tea Party of December 16th, 1773. -
Quartering Act
The new Quartering Act similarly allowed a governor to house soldiers in other buildings,such as: barns, inns, among other unoccupied structures, if suitable quarters were not provided. -
The Declaration of Independence
Ratified on July 4th, 1776. The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, and it established the United States as an independent nation. The rights of women and slaves were not covered under this document. The philosophy of John Locke was very clear in the declaration, the government exists to protect individual rights, people can overthrow government when it does not do so, and "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" are rights given to the people by their creator. -
The Battle of Saratoga
The first battle was on September 19th, and the second battle was on October 7th. The British won the first battle, and the Americans won the second battle. American loses came to about 500 killed and wounded. Burgoyne lost 1,000 men in the two battles, leaving him outnumbered 3 to 1. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown took place in Yorktown, Virginia. The Americans had an army of 8,800, the French had an army of 7,800 and the British had an army of 6,000. The casualties during the battle had been 500 British, 80 Americans and 200 French. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was signed on Septermber 3rd, 1783 by representatives of King George III of Great Britain and representatives of the United States of America. Benjamin Franklin was almost successful in getting Britain to give up control of Canada, at first the British agreed to do so but then they rejected the proposal. The Treaty of Paris gives Great Britain rights to all land east of the Mississippi. Congress ratified May 12th 1784. The Treaty of Paris recognized American independence. -
The United States Constitution
The United States Consitution was ratified on June 21st, 1787. Originally, the constitution had seven articles describing the frame of the government. Since the creation of the consitution, it has been amended 27 times. The first 10 amendments were adopted and ratified, known collectively as the Bill of Rights.
