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End of the French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was a series of wars fought in North America between England and France, who also recruited some Native Americans into their fight. The war resulted in the Crown of England wanting more control over what they fought to defend. An enormous debt was collected after fighting such an extensive war and this is when England started looking towards the colonies to relive them of their debt. -
Proclamation of 1763
After the French and Indian War, the fight between the Natives and the colonists did not stop and put more of a drain on the king's resources. In response, King George III issued the Proclamation of 1763 which limited the colonists ability to expand west past the Appalachian Mountains. -
Stamp Act of 1765
The end of salutary neglect did not stop at the Proclamation of 1763 as new taxes became imposed. The Stamp Act of 1765 required that every paper document have a revenue stamp. This restricted the colonists to only sell and buy from exclusively England. -
Quartering Act of 1765
The Quartering Act of 1765 required the colonies government to provide housing for the English troops. The people of the colonies had to open their homes to the royal army, enforcing the sense of oppression and constant regulation. -
Stamp Act Congress
In order to fight against the Stamp Act, 27 delegates from nine of the colonies met in New York. This meeting was called the Stamp Act Congress. They petitioned for the king to repeal the act and also encouraged other colonists to boycott English goods. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was an incidence in Boston, Massachusetts where British troops opened fire on a group of civilians. The civilians were there protesting the soldiers presence in Boston. The shooting resulted in five killed and six wounded. This was a major event inciting the American Revolution. -
Tea Act of 1773
The Tea Act of 1773 declared that the East India Company was able to sell tea to the colonies without having to first send it to England. The Act cut costs for England but also said that only certain shops in the colonies were allowed to sell tea. -
Boston Tea Party
Three troops of colonists with fifty men in each marched to Griffon's Wharf while their faces were painted to resemble Mohawk warriors. They gathered on boats that they would row out to three tea ships. The men of these troops threw 342 tea chests into the harbor into order to protest the Tea Act. -
Coercive Acts of 1774
The Coercive Acts of 1774 were Parliament's and King George III's reaction to the Boston Tea Party. These acts included the closing of the port in Boston, restriction of town meetings, an extension of the Quartering Act, and all capital cases having to be tried in England. -
First Continental Congress
Fifty-six delegates met in at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. These men assembled to denounce some of the actions taken by King George III and was a stepping stone toward liberation. This congress also drew up ten goals they had for their new nation and would become the basis for the Bill of Rights. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord are considered the first battles of the American Revolution. The battle at Lexington influenced the battle at Concord. The men at Concord heard about the battle had at Lexington and began assembling their own militia. "The shot heard round the world" is used when describing the first shot fired at Concord. -
Second Continental Congress
At the Second Continental Congress, it was established that the colonies were united and any ties with Britain were to be resolved. Seven colonies would vote for freedom from Britain while six voted against it. -
Battle of Long Island
The Battle of Long Island was an American defeat in the Revolutionary War. George Washington sent part of his army to Brooklyn Heights in Long Island to defend New York from British troops. American forces were defeated by Sir William Howe. -
Battle of Princeton
The Battle of Princeton was an American victory. George Washington divided his troops in hopes on capturing Princeton from General Hugh Mercer. In less than one hour, Alexander Hamilton's artillery convinced the British troops to surrender. -
Battle of Saratoga
An American Victory where John Burgoyne of the British surrendered to Horatio Gates on October 17. Burgoyne asked that his men not be made prisoners of war and later offered toast to General George Washington. -
Southern Campaign
The revolutionary movement wasn't as widely accepted in the deep south. The south was mostly populated with Loyalists and the British thrived in those parts and were set on gaining their support in the war. -
Battle of Yorktown
An American victory and the last battle in the American Revolution. George Washington and his french allies surrounded General Cornwallis in Yorktown, Virginia, forcing him and his 7,700 men to surrender. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States. It was a flawed plan for government as it didn't allow the government to impose taxes, the currency it issued was not backed by gold or silver, did not protect the liberties of the people as many of its critics stated, and overall made for a weak central government. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was called to replace the Articles of Confederation. George Washington was elected president of the convention. The Virginia Plan was proposed here that called for a central federal government that had bicameral legislature, and a executive and judicial branch. The New Jersey Plan retained most of the Articles of Confederation, but added a Supreme Court. -
Ratification of the Constitution
The ratification of the constitution did not come easy. There were some aspects many people disagreed with such as the abolishing of the importing of slaves. The first state to ratify the constitution was Delaware in 1787 and the last state to ratify the constitution was Rhode Island in 1790.
