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Writs of Assistance
In order to increase revenue, new taxes were placed on colonists. The colonists then resorted smuggling; this dropped English revenue. Because of this George Grenville authorized the Writs of Assistance, to look smuggled. -
Proclamation of 1763
British King George the Third created a proclamation that set a line down the Appalachian mountains, that colonists couldn't cross. He set this rule in order to maintain peace with the Native Americans. He also controlled colonists, fur trade, and westward expansion. -
The Sugar Act
In 1764 Parliament passed the Sugar Act which lowered taxes on molasses. Grenville hoped that the colonists would pay this tax and it also allowed smuggled goods to be taken. Instead colonists felt violated by these laws and taxes -
Townshend Acts
in 1767 parliament passed the Townshend Acts. The Townshend Acts allowed imported goods to be taxed. The tax was payed before goods entered the colonies. Colonists were angered by all British taxes and protested the Acts immediately. Women protested the Acts by supporting another boycott of British goods and taxes. Some of theses groups called themselves the Daughters of Liberty, and they urged colonists to wear homemade fabrics rather than buying British fabrics. -
The Boston Massacre
In 1770 a fight broke out between Bostonians and British soldiers. Angry townspeople threw sticks and stones at the soldiers and urged them to fire. A nervous soldier confused the call of a colonist with an order to fire, so he shot his gun. This lead to the Boston Massacre; 3 were killed and two injured, and among these three was Crispus Attucks. -
The Tea Act
Parliament passed the Tea Act in order to remove some taxes and make tea less expensive for colonists. This also gave the British East India Company nearly total control over the market for tea in the colonies. This til angered the colonists, and colonial merchants called for a new boycott to stop the East India Company ships from unloading. -
Boston Tea Party
East India company continued shipping tea to the colonies, and in 1773 three ships loaded with tea arrived in Boston Harbor. The royal governor ordered that they be unloaded but the Boston Sons of Liberty acted swiftly. Midnight of December 16, colonist dressed as native Americans, boarded the ships, and threw 342 chests of tea overboard. This was called the Boston Tea Party -
Coercive Acts
King George realized that Britain was losing control of colonies, and in 1774 parliament passed a series of laws called the Coercive Acts. They were used to punish colonists for resisting British control. The coercive acts banned town meetings and closed Boston harbors until colonists paid for ruined tea. They also stopped shipment of food and supplies in the process of trying to drive Massachusetts off from the other colonies. Instead the acts brought colonies together. -
Quebec Acts
After the Coercive Acts, parliament passed the Quebec Acts. This law created a law for Canada; extended it's territory south to the Ohio River. This action ignored colonists claims to the area. -
Lexington and Concord
As British troops marched on to Lexington the ran into 70 minutemen, lead by John Parker. Since they were badly outnumbered, the minutemen were ready to give way to the redcoats, but then a shot was fired. When the shooting stopped 8 minutemen lay dead. As the redcoats continued onto Concord, and while some burned weapons others, were yet again by minutemen at the bridge. The British faced a heavy loss and began their journey back to Boston. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
Militias in Boston began to grow, but Britain remained in control of the city. Militias lead by Colonel William Prescott, set up posts on Bunker and Breed's Hill. The next day the redcoats charged. Since they were low on ammunition, Prescott ordered militia men not to fire until they could see the whites of the redcoats eyes. Although the British suffered heavy losses of more than 1,00 dead and injured, they won the battle of breed's hill which later became known as the battle of bunker hill. -
Opposition to the Stamp Act
The Stamp Act outraged colonists. Patrick Henry, a member of the House of Burgess's, got the Burgess's to pass a resolution. Samuel Adams helped start the Sons of Liberty, and they took to the streets to protest. In October, 9 colonies met in New York at Stamp Act Congress. They sent a statement to the King and Parliament that only colonial assemblies could tax colonists. In 1776 parliament did but came up with the Declaratory act, which meant that they could make decisions for the colonies. -
Jefferson Writes the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson was assigned the task of creating a formal statement that justified the separation of the 13 colonies from Britain. In 1776 he came up with, and drafted the Declaration of Independence. It was then signed by a delegate from all of the 13 states. -
Battles of Trent and New Jersey
The Battle of Trent took place in December of 1776. It was a small but important battle in which Washington's Army destroyed the Hessian soldiers. This victory also inspired the Americans to keep fighting. -
1776-1778 Manumission
Manumission was the freeing of individual enslaved persons. -
Howe Captures Philadelphia
In 1777, Howe came up with a great tactic in order to capture Philadelphia. He defeated Washington at Brandy wine and took over the continental capitol of Philadelphia. This battle was a great British victory. -
1777-1778 State Constitutions
May of 1776 congress asked the states to organize their governments. By the end of the year 8 states had constitutions. In 1777 New York and Georgia had constitutions, with Massachusetts following in 1780. Connecticut and Rhode Island used their colonial charters as a form of a constitution. -
Articles of Confederation
In 1776 the Second Continental Congress appointed a committee to make a plan for a new central government. The outcome of this were the Articles of Confederation. The Articles established a weak central government that allowed all of the states their independence. But this also gave congress limited powers and votes were needed to make big decisions. This new government had no chief executive, and all states had to approve the Articles, although not all of them did at first. -
American and British Battle of Saratoga
The battle of Saratoga, and the surrender of General Burgoyne, was a great turning point for Americans in the revolutionary war. Early on in the battle, while searching for weapons, British troops were fired at through the trees and many soldiers were killed. On October 17, 1777 the British and hessian troops surrendered arms. -
Congress Prohibits Enslaved People Imported to US
Jefferson was one of the first people ever to take action towards ending slavery. In 1778, he introduced a Virginia law that prohibited importation of enslaved Africans. -
Winter at Valley Forge
The winter at valley forge was a very hard time for american soldiers. Many died from disease, hunger, and the cold. Some of the many even went mad and fought. The only thing that held the american troops together was their faith in Washington. -
Spain Declares War on Great Britain
In 1779 Spain declared war on Britain, which created an alliance with Americans. Spain's King wouldn't consent to a treaty with the US since the Revolutionary War had already started a war between Britain and France. -
John Paul Jones and Serapis
On September 23, 1779, in the North Sea. John Paul Jones and the Serapis battled for 3 hours, and although the Serapis was thought to be a more advanced ship, Jones' ship won. Richard Pearson surrender the ship to John Paul Jones. -
British Capture Charles Town
The capture of Charles Town was a major British victory, and during this time the american troops faced one of the greatest loses of the revolutionary war. The entire Continental Army of South Carolina surrendered, and Charles Town supplied British forces with provisions. -
1781-1783 Plans for First Fed. Tax
In 1781 a department of finance was created and led by Robert Morris. He proposed a 5 percent tax on imported goods, to help make money for government to pay back debt. This tax required a change in the Articles, and all of the states approved this except for Rhode Island. Congresses second attempt at this in 1783 also failed and the crisis grew worse. -
British Surrender at Yorktown
On October 19, 1781 Britain commander Cornwallis surrendered his army to Washington. This effectively ended the Revolutionary War since the British lacked fiances to keep their army going and raise a new one. -
Treaty of Paris
In the Treaty of Paris of 1783, Britain promised withdrawal from the states, however they began to occupy forts in the great lakes region. In 1785 John Adams was sent to discuss these problems, but Britain claimed that Americans should pay for land taken during the revolutionary war. This idea was proposed to the states but they refused so, Britain remained in their forts. -
Spain Closes Lower River
Spain wanted to stop the colonies expansion into Florida, so they closed the lower Mississippi, This also stopped american shipping, and because of this western settlers couldn't rely in it for shipping goods. In 1786, diplomats reached an agreement for trade with Spain. The southern states blocked this agreement since it lacked right to use of the Mississippi. -
The Ordinance of 1785
In 1785 confederation congress passed an ordinance which set up a process to sell land north of the Ohio River. This split the land into sections the would be sold at auction. Richard Henry Lee urged that, "the right of property be clearly defined". -
The North West Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was passed in 1787, and this created territory with land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi. The Northwest also had a Bill of Rights that guaranteed freedom of religion, trial by jury, and did not allow involuntary slavery or servitude. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shay Rebellion was an uprising that was caused by a debt crisis among citizens, and the states governments worked to collect taxes. The fight took place around Springfield during 1786 and 1787. -
Convention
The constitutional convention took place in Philadelphia. The main subject was to decide how America was going to be governed, although they were originally called to talk about the Articles of Confederation. -
Signing of the Constitution
The signing of the Constitution took place at Independence Hall, in 1787. 39 delegates, representing 12 of the states came to endorse the constitution. -
Delaware Approves Constitution
Delaware was the first state to ratify the constitution on December 7, 1787 -
New Hampshire Ratifies Constitution
New Hampshire was the 9th state to accept the constitution. This officially ended governing under the Articles of Confederation. -
Land Act of 1800
The Ordinance of 1785 along with the Northwest Ordinance, encouraged settlement in the Northwest. In 1800 congress passed the Land Act which made it easier to buy land at that are. Settlers could buy 320 acres for 2 dollars, but the payer could pay half at the time, and pay the rest over 4 years.
