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The Sugar Act
Parliament passed a modified version of the Sugar and Molasses Act (1733), which was about to expire. Under the Molasses Act colonial merchants had been required to pay a tax of six pence per gallon on the importation of foreign molasses. But because of corruption, they mostly evaded the taxes and undercut the intention of the tax — that the English product would be cheaper than that from the French West Indies. -
The Stamp Act
AN ACT for granting and applying certain stamp duties, and other duties, in the British colonies and plantations in America, towards further defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same; and for amending such parts of the several acts of parliament relating to the trade and revenues of the said colonies and plantations, as direct the manner of determining and recovering the penalties and forfeitures therein mentioned. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre is also known as the Incident on King Street. It was when a fight broke out between several civilians and British soldiers leading to deaths and injuries to civilians. -
The Boston Tea Party
American colonists who called themselves the Sons of Liberty ,disguised themselves as Mohawk Native Americans, boarded three British ships called the Dartmouth, the Eleanor, and the Beaver. They then dumped 342 whole crates of British tea into Boston harbor because they were angry at the high taxes for tea. -
George Washington named Commander and Chief
George Washington fought (for the British) in the French and Indian War and was the commanding officer of the victorious American forces in the Revolutionary War. He was named president of the Constitutional Convention. Washington served two terms as president. -
Declaration of Independence Signed
It is a document declaring the 13 American Colonies independent from Great Britain. Written by Thomas Jefferson and declared in effect by the Continental Congress. Many Americans signed it, including John Hancock, John Adams, and Samuel Adams. -
The Articles of Confederation
A document detailing form of government taken after the Revolutionary War. The focus was on state governments, which had tremendous power. -
Battle of Yorktown
British general who won more battles than he lost but surrendered at Yorktown, ending the war. Cornwallis was surrounded on land and sea by Americans and French and surrenders at Yorktown, VA. -
Treaty of Paris
The treaty officially ended the Revolutionary War. It was signed in Paris by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay. Under the terms of the treaty, Britain recognized the independent nation of the United States of America and agreed to remove all of its troops from the new nation. The treaty also set new borders for the United States. -
The Constitution
A document detailing our form of government. Ratified by a majority of states and declared in effect in 1787. Form of government outlined largely resembles the Virginia Plan, an idea of James Madison's that focused on a strong central government. James Madison also insisted on a Bill of Rights, which became the First Ten Amendments.
