-
Period: to
The American Revolution
-
Navigation Acts
This act only allowed English ships to import good to England. American ships could only import commodities. -
French and Indian War ends
England and the colonists reigned victory over France and their Native American allies when the war officially ending with the Treaty of Paris. The English gained land but the war was very expensive. They began taxing the colonies. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act levied taxes on all commercial and legal documents, including diplomas, pamphlets, and newspapers. It was repealed about a year later but raised several questions of representation and authority for colonists. -
Boston Massacre
Seven colonists were killed in a street fight that broke out between colonists and British guards. The colonists threw snowballs, stone and sticks, and the British eventually fired their guns into the crowd. -
Tea Act
This act allowed the British East India Tea Company to monopolize British tea imports, and sell tea directly to the colonies (without the colonial middlemen). Many members of Parliament had shares in the company. Lord North expected the colonists to be enthusiastic about the cheaper prices but they were upset about the middlemen being cut out. -
Boston Tea Party
The American Colonists were tired of "taxation without representation", and dumped 342 chests of British East India Company imported tea into the harbor, in Boston, Massachusetts. The British closed the harbor until the lost tea was paid for, and issued the "Intolerable Acts", fueling the tension that led to the war. -
The Coercive/Intolerable Acts
These acts were issued in response to the Boston Tea Party. Tey were known as 'intolerable" in the colonies and "coercive" in England. First, the "Port Bill Act" closed Boston Harbor until the lost tea was compensated. Secondly, the "Quartering Act" allowed British soldiers to stay in private homes. Thirdly, the "Administration for Justice Act" allowed British officials to be tried in England. -
First Continental Congress
The meeting consisted of 55 delegates from all colonies except GA. The meeting was to figure out how to respond to the "Intolerable Acts.' Every colony represented got one vote. -
Lexington and Concord
These battles started the Revolutionary War. Late April 18, 1775, British troops marched from Boston to Concord in order to seize weapons. Paul Revere and colonial militiamen mobilized to intercept the British. A confrontation at Lexington started off the fighting, and soon the British were hastily retreating under intense fire. This became known as "The Shot Heard Around the World." -
Second Continental Congress
The delegates met at a second meeting, establishing the Continental Army and George Washington as the General. -
Declaration of Independence adopted
The Declaration of Independence was signed at the second continental congress declaring America's independence from England. -
Battle of Saratoga
The first battle, the Battle of Freeman's Farm, occurred on Sept 7, when General John Burgoyne and his men were attacked by Virginian colonists and militia. The second battle, the Battle of Bemis Heights, took place on Oct 7. Burgoyne tried to escape the surrounding forces, but only devastated him and his German allies. He retreated to his northern camp and surrendered on October 17. The Victory persuaded the French to support and provide military aid for the Americans. -
Winter at Valley Forge
In December 1777, George Washington moved his discouraged army into one of the Continental Army encampments were they suffered cold, fatigue, disease and hunger. -
Battle of Yorktown
The British had control of the Yorktown peninsula. The Americans forced their surrender. This American victory ended the Revolutionary war -
U.S. Constitution Written
The Constitution established the national government and laws, guaranteeing certain basic rights for its citizens. -
U.S. Constitution Adopted
At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, the constitution was by the delegates.
