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The Mayflower Compact is signed
The Mayflower Compact was the first document written in the colonies on how a town should be governend. It was an agreement between all the Pilgrims on how the country should be run. -
The Pilgrims land on Plymouth Rock
The Pilgrims created the first European settlement on the North American continent. They namned the land Plymouth after the land that they left in England. -
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Puritan leaders get a charter to set up a colony in Massachusetts
The Puritans were not liked by the people in Engalnd because their ideas did not correspond with those of the Church of England. They were given land in North America so that they could set up their own towns and live in peace. -
The Treaty of Hartford ends the Pequot War
The Treaty was written in Harford, Connecticut and ended the Pequot War. The treaty divided the spoils of the war, and defined a border bewteen the Bristish and Dutch in North America. -
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Dominion of New England is dissolved
The Dominion of New England had encompased all the land in the northeast; however, the different groups did not like this and revolted. The Dominion was broken up during the Glorious Revolution. -
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The French and Indian War
Also known as the Seven Years' War, this war was a world war between many of the European nations. The war was fought in North America to decide who would have control of the land on the continent. -
The Sugar Act
This was the first tax placed on the colonies by British Parliament in hopes of increasing the revenue. This angered the colonists because it was the first time that an external power was taxing them. -
The Stamp Act
This act was Parliament's first attempt to show that they had governmental control in the colonies. It required that all printed materials have a stamp on them that was taxed. This upset the colonists because they did not like being told what to do. -
The Townshend Revenue Acts
This act placed a tax on many of the items that were needed in the colonies. These acts greatly angered the colonists because they were adding to the other taxes that the colonists had to pay and they felt as if Parliament should not be able to tax them. -
The Tea Act
This was the last straw for the colonists in Boston. As a result of the act the Boston Tea Party took place. -
The Boston Port Act
It was part of the Intolerable Acts and was made to insure Great Britain's power in the American colonies. It outlawed the using of the Boston Port which made many Bostonians angry. -
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The First Continental Congress
This event was held in Philadelphia where all the delegates of the 13 colonies met. The reason for this meeting was to try and solve the dispute with Great Britian in some way. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The first military encounter of the American Revolution. These two battles started the American Revolution with one fired shot. -
Capturing of Fort Ticonderoga
The fort was caputred by a small group of militiamen led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold. They captured the fort amd were able to take the British supplies that were stored there. -
The Second Continental Congress
During this meeting the Continetal Congress was formed with George Washington as general. This was also when the delegates realized that war was inevitable. -
"Common Sense" is published
Written by Thomas Paine, the pamphlet was an immediate success. It showed all the reasons why the colonists should want to gain their independence form Great Britain. -
Virginia Declaration of Rights written
This document was pretty much the bases for the United States Constitution. It was a plan for a government that would run Virginia. -
The Declaration of Independence is signed
This document was written by Thomas Jefferson and stated that the colonies were no longer colonies. This document states that America was free and did not have to listen to the king anymore. -
Washington crosses the Delaware
Washington's men crossed the Delaware River, and attcked the Hessians that were on the other side. This was a decisive victory because the Hessians were known for being bloodthristy and Washington's troops were able to beat them with little struggle. -
Benedict Arnold found to be a Traitor
Arnold was upset with how he was not recieving enough credit for his military victories. In retaliation he gave important American information to the British and switched sides. -
The Articles of Confederation are adopted
This document was the first document stating how the American government would be run. This is important because it was the first piece of legislature written by the new American government. -
Treaty of Paris signed
This treaty formally ended the American Revolution. The United States were officially their own country and free to rule themselves. -
The US Constitution is ratified
The Constitution fixed all the problems that the Article of Confederation had. This piece of legislature is what the entire government of the United States of America is based on.
