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French-Indian War
The French and Indian War 1756-1763 was a conflict between Britain and France over North American territory. Both sides had Native American allies. The British won, gaining control of Canada and land east of the Mississippi River. This war set the stage for increased tensions between Britain and its American colonies, leading to the American Revolution. -
Navigation Acts
The Navigation Acts of 1763 were laws that controlled colonial trade, requiring it to be done on British ships. They aimed to benefit Britain economically but led to tension and smuggling in the colonies, contributing to the American Revolution. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a British law that required American colonists to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used, including newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. This act was highly unpopular and led to widespread protests and contributed to the growing unrest that eventually led to the American Revolution. -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act of 1765 required American colonists to provide housing and supplies for British soldiers stationed in the colonies. This law was resented by the colonists as it imposed a burden on them and contributed to the growing tension between Britain and the American colonies. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts of 1767 were a series of laws passed by the British Parliament that imposed duties on common items imported into the American colonies, such as paper, glass, and tea. The acts were intended to raise revenue for Britain but led to widespread protest and increased tensions, contributing to the American Revolution. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770, when British soldiers opened fire on a crowd of colonists in Boston, killing five people. This event escalated tensions between Britain and the American colonies and became a significant rallying point for those advocating for independence. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party took place on December 16, 1773. During this event, American colonists, protesting the Tea Act and British taxation without representation, disguised themselves as Native Americans and dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor. This act of defiance was a pivotal moment leading up to the American Revolution. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts, passed in 1774, were punitive laws aimed at punishing the American colonists for the Boston Tea Party. They included closing Boston Harbor and revoking Massachusetts' charter, intensifying colonial resistance. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was sent to King George III in July 1775 by the Second Continental Congress, seeking to avoid war by asserting colonial loyalty and requesting the repeal of oppressive legislation. The petition was ultimately rejected, leading to further conflict. -
Battle of Lexington & Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord occurred on April 19, 1775. It marked the start of the American Revolutionary War, with colonial militias clashing with British troops, leading to the first armed conflict between the colonies and Britain. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress (1775-1781) acted as the provisional government during the American Revolution, managing the war effort and ultimately declaring independence. -
Common Sense
"Common Sense," written by Thomas Paine in 1776, was a pivotal pamphlet advocating for American independence from Britain. It argued clearly and persuasively for the colonies to break free and establish a democratic government, significantly influencing public opinion and the course of the American Revolution. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, was a historic document in which the thirteen American colonies declared their independence from British rule. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it outlined the philosophical justification for independence, emphasizing natural rights and the belief that all men are created equal. The document also listed grievances against King George III, underscoring the colonies' reasons for seeking to establish a separate nation. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation were the first U.S. constitution, adopted in 1781. They created a weak central government with most powers held by the states, which led to issues in governance and eventually prompted the drafting of the Constitution in 1787. -
Daniel Shays’ Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion 1786-1787 was an armed uprising in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays, driven by economic hardships and high taxes. It exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and spurred the push for a stronger federal government. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia created the U.S. Constitution, establishing a stronger federal government to replace the Articles of Confederation.