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French-Indian War (1763)
The French-Indian War (1756-1763), also known as the Seven Years' War, was a conflict between France and Great Britain over control of North American territories. It began in the Ohio River Valley, where both nations had competing claims, and saw significant battles such as the Battle of Fort Necessity and the Fall of Quebec. -
Navigation Acts (1763)
The Navigation Acts of 1763 were a continuation of earlier British laws aimed at controlling colonial trade to benefit England. These acts required that certain goods produced in the colonies, such as tobacco and sugar, be shipped only to England or other English colonies, and that all goods imported into the colonies be transported on English ships. These regulations were intended to ensure that the economic benefits of colonial trade flowed back to Britain. -
Stamp Act (1765)
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a British law that taxed all printed materials in the American colonies, including newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. It was intended to raise revenue for British troops in North America. The act was highly unpopular among colonists, who protested with the slogan "no taxation without representation." Their strong opposition led to the act's repeal in 1766, but it also fueled growing resentment toward British rule. -
Quartering Act (1765)
The Quartering Act of 1765 required American colonists to provide housing and supplies for British soldiers. Colonists had to accommodate soldiers in their homes and other buildings, supplying them with essentials. This act was highly resented and added to the growing tension leading up to the American Revolution. -
The Townshend Acts (1765)
The Townshend Acts of 1767 were British laws that taxed imports like paper, glass, paint, and tea in the American colonies. The revenue was used to pay British officials, which upset colonists. This led to protests and boycotts, increasing tensions that contributed to the American Revolution. -
Boston Massacre (1770)
The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770, when British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists in Boston, killing five people. The incident began as a confrontation between colonists and a British guard, but it quickly escalated. The event fueled anti-British sentiment and was used as propaganda by colonial leaders to galvanize support against British rule. It was a significant event leading up to the American Revolution. -
Boston tea Party (1773)
The Boston Tea Party took place on December 16, 1773, when American colonists, frustrated by the British Tea Act, boarded British ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This act of defiance was a protest against taxation without representation and British control over tea trade. It significantly escalated tensions between Britain and the American colonies, leading to the American Revolution. -
Intolerable Acts (1774)
The Intolerable Acts were a set of laws passed by Britain in 1774 to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. They included closing Boston's port, limiting self-governance, allowing royal officials to be tried elsewhere, and requiring colonists to house British troops. These acts really united the colonies against British rule and helped spark the American Revolution. -
Olive Branch Petition (1775)
The Olive Branch Petition was a 1775 appeal by the American colonists to King George III, seeking to avoid war and resolve conflicts peacefully. The king rejected it, leading to further escalation and eventually the American Revolution. -
Battle of Lexington & Concord (aka “The Shot Heard Around the World”)
The Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, marked the start of the American Revolution. Known as "The Shot Heard Around the World," it began when British troops clashed with American militia, igniting the war. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress met in 1775, managed the colonial war effort, adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and established the Continental Army with George Washington as its leader. -
Common Sense
"Common Sense" is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776. It argued for American independence from Britain, presenting compelling reasons for breaking free from British rule. The pamphlet was widely read and significantly influenced public opinion in favor of independence. -
Declaration Of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, announced the colonies' break from Britain and outlined their rights, mainly written by Thomas Jefferson. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, were the first constitution of the United States. They established a weak central government with limited powers, giving most authority to the individual states. This structure led to various issues, prompting the creation of the U.S. Constitution in 1787 to replace the Articles. -
Daniel Shays’ Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising in 1786-1787 led by Daniel Shays and farmers protesting high taxes and economic issues in Massachusetts. It showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and pushed for a stronger national government. -
Constitutional Convention (aka Philadelphia Convention)
The Constitutional Convention, or Philadelphia Convention, was in 1787 where delegates created the U.S. Constitution to fix the weak Articles of Confederation and set up a stronger federal government.