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The Great Awakening
Began in the 1730s, known as a revitalization of religion that swept through the American Colonies. It lowered the emphasis on the importance of church doctrine and put a greater importance on the individual and personal spiritual experience. Two important figures were Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield. Edwards was a preacher who called for unity among all Christians. Whitefield was a minister that traveled and converted many. This unified American Colonies and new denominations arose. -
The Seven Years War
AKA The American Indian war, this Initiated the American revolution, lasted 9 years, andwas a large Imperial war between Britain and France. In the early 1750s, France expanded into the Ohio River Valley, which created conflict between France and native american allies against Britain. At first, Britain repeatedly lost against France in skirmishes until in 1957 when British Prime Minister William Pitt recognized the potential of imperial expansion and borrwed funds which led to Brit Victory. -
Paris Treaty of 1763
The treaty that ended the Seven Years War. It was signed by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France, and Spain, with Portugal in agreement, after Britain's victory over France and Spain during the Seven Year's War. -
Pontiac's Rebellion
A war that was launched in 1763 by a loose confederation of Native American tribes that came mainly from the Great Lakes region, the Illinois Country, and Ohio Country, dissatisfied with British post-war policies. It was led by Ottawa chef: Pontiac. King George III ended it through a proclomation that gave all the land west of the Appalachians to the Indians. This brought temporary peace to the Ohio River Valley. This was called the Proclomation line of 1763. -
The Sugar Act
An modified version of the Sugar and Molasses act, passed by parliament. This actually lowered the tax from 6 to 3 pence per gallon on the importation of foreign molasses, however suddenly smuggling became much more enforced and people suddenly had to actually pay thier taxes. These taxes came to be through mercantilism/evening out the economy, and making up war debt from the seven years war. -
The Stamp Act
This new tax passed by British Parliament was imposed on all american colonists, and reuired the, to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. For example, Ship's papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, other oublications, and playing cards were taxed. This led to ethe Stamp Act Congress (First congress of American colonies) which led to boycotting of British goods. Stamp Act was Repealed. -
The Declaratory Act
An act that was accompanied by the repeal of the Stamp Act. The purpose of this act was to better secure the dependancy of the king and domionions in America upon the crown and parliament of Great Britain. The cat practically stated that Great Britain controlled everything in the colonies and that ultimately the power, resolutions, votes, orders, proceedings, and platations all eventually return to Great Britain. -
Townshend Acts
Created by Charles Townshend and passed by the English Parliament after the Stamp Act was repealed. Designed to collect revenue from the colonists in America by putting taxes on imports of glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea. The colonials who were inspired by the writings of Adams and Dickinson protested against the taxes. English goods were boycotted for the second time. British troops were sent to enforce the laws and keep peace, however the Boston Massacre broke out. British trade decreased. -
The Boston Massacre
Known as the incident on King Street by the British. Was an incident where British Army Soldiers killed five male civilians and injured six others. This was the most violent protest with the worst outcome while the coonies were boycotting various taxes. -
The Boston Tea Party
A protest directed by Smauel Adams and the Sons of Liberty. They dressed as indiants and boarded three ships in the Boston Harbor, and threw 342 chests of tea pverboard. This was a direct result of the Tea Act, however was more of a protest against taxation without representation and primarily was done out of their pride being hurt. This led to the Intolerable acts and pushed the two sides closer to war. -
The Coercive Acts
A direct result of the Boston Tea Party. This closed Boston Harbor, and prevented all imports except firewood and food. Town meetings were banned, and the authority of the Royal Governor was increased. These terms were to be in place until the owners of the tea from the boston tea party were compensated. These were nicknamed 'The Intolerable Acts' by colonists and pushed everyone even closer to a war/revolution. -
The First Continental Congress
A meeting of dekegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies that met at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania, early in the American Revolution. This was one of the first displays of a democratic government. The point was to show a combined authority to Great Britain. A core set of tasks was carriedout. They agreed that the King and Parliament must be made to undersyand the grievances of the colinies and that the body must do everything to communicate the same to the population. -
The Second Continental Congress
Directly instigated by Thomas Paine's Common Sense. Was a convention of delegates from all thriteen colonies that started meeting in the summer of 1775, in Philidelphia, Pennslyvania, soon after warfare in the American Revolutionary War had begun. The continental army was created, and George Washington was commissioned to be the supreme commander. The Olive Branch Petition was approved as well. -
The Amercian Revolution
Shooting first began when 700 British troops marched into Lexington to capture patriot leaders and seize a patriot arsemal. The found 77 armed minutemen, and suddenly the "shot heard round the world" was heard, and began the battle for independance, After this short battle, the etnsions were broken and the colonies and Britain were finally at war. Many things led up to this eventual outburst, such as taxation without representation and the intolerable acts. -
Common Sense Published
A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that challenged the authority ofthe British Government and the royal monarchy. The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of america and was the first work to openly ask for independance from Great Britain. Many rhetorical arguments were used that spoke to colonists and truly rallied them, giving them a nationalistic sense and an innate disregard for British authority. 150,000 copies were sold. -
Declaration of Independance Adopted
Was adopted by the Continental Congress. This was the fundamental document that established the United states as a nation. The declaration was ordered and approbed by the Contintal Congress and written laregly by Thomas Jefferson.
