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Stamp Act
Was a tax put on official documents, licenses, newspapers, etc. by the British in an attempt to pay off debts from the French and Indian War. This was an example of diplomacy because it was done by the British, who were trying to repay debts to other countries and such. -
Sons of Liberty
(Specific start day unknown). Started in Boston, this was a group of men who stood up against the British Government, particularly the Stamp Act. This was a step towards freedom because it encouraged opposition and rebellion against the British government. -
Boston Massacre
A group of British soldiers shot a group of people who were throwing snowballs at the soldiers; five people were killed in the incident. This was a turning point because it helped rally the colonies together through their mutual anger and discontent with the British. -
Declaration of Rights and Grievances
Sent to King George III during the meeting of the First Continental Congress expressing their complaints and the rights they expected from the King. This was an act of diplomacy because it was attempt on the colonist's part to smooth over relations with Great Britain but still get what they needed. -
Lexington and Concord
British soldiers went to Concord to raid the town's supply of weapons. But the town, who had been warned beforehand, fought against the British soldiers, who ended up retreating. This was a turning point because it was the first battle that spurred on the American Revolution. -
Olive Branch Petition
Congress adopted the Petition which was written by John Dickinson. The document expressed the hope for reconciliation with King George and Great Britain as a whole. This was an act of diplomacy because it strove for a positive relationship with Great Britain and forgiveness on both parts. -
Patriots
(Specific date unknown). Also referred to as the rebels, these were the people who fought against Great Britain during the Revolutionary War. This was a step towards freedom because they helped win the war for America, which gained independence for America. -
declaration of Independence
Document that announced the freedom the country's independence. This pertained to freedom because it declared the country free from Great Britain. -
Articles of Confederation
Created the basis for America's independent government and laws. This was a turning point because it was the first written constitution for America. -
French Alliance
An alliance between the French and Americans. This was an act of diplomacy because it was a strengthening alliance between two recognized nations. -
Treaty of Paris
This was a negotiation between the U.S. and Great Britain. This was an act of diplomacy because it helped end the Revolutionary War and declared the U.S. as an independent nation. -
Shay's Rebellion
Farmers protested against taxes on them until 1787. This was a turning point because it caused reformations to be made in the government and the laws. -
Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan
The NJ Plan was supported by smaller states who were afraid of losing power and voted for equal representation in Congress and one house legislature. The Virginia Plan was supported by larger states and voted for having a two house legislature and Congress based on population size. Compromise was shown through the Great Compromise, which took aspects of both plans. -
Great Compromise
This had two house legislature, equal representation in Senate and representation based on population in the House of Representatives. Showed compromise by taking aspects of both the Virginia Plan and the NJ Plan in order to appease both smaller and larger states. -
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
(Specific date unknown). The need for the document arose when the North believed that Congress should abolish slavery and control trade and the South disagreed. This was compromise because the agreement protected slave holders by taking Congress' ability to tax the export of goods in states, but they could work to abolish slavery after twenty years. -
Federalist Papers
85 letters were sent to newspapers and are now known as the Federalist's Papers. The intent behind them was to get the Constitution ratified. This was a turning point because it caused revisions in the constitutions to be made. -
Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist
These groups emerged after the Constitution, and butted heads because the Federalists wanted strong central governments and weaker state governments and the Anti-Federalists who wanted weaker central governments and stronger state governments. This showed compromise through the Bill of Rights because it altered the Constitution but did not completely get rid of it either, appeasing both groups. -
Ratification of the Constitution
This was the day that New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, which gave the majority vote to those in favor, making the Constitution the law. This is an example of compromise because all the states had to vote, and the majority vote won. -
Bill of Rights
These were the 10 amendments to the Constitution. Pertained to freedom because it gave freedoms to the people (freedom of speech, press, etc.). -
Popular Soveriegnty
Becoming widespread in the 1850's (specific date unknown), Popular Sovereignty stated that people in a particular region had the freedom to determine what that section of government should be like. This pertained to freedom because it gave the people the freedom to decide how the government should be run.