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French-Indian War
The French-Russian War, fought between 1756 and 1763, was a conflict in North America between British colonial forces and French forces, along with their respective Native American allies. It was part of a global struggle. -
Navigation Acts
The Navigation Acts were a series of laws
aimed at regulating colonial trade, ensuring
that it benefited England economically. They
mandated that certain goods produced in the
colonies could only be shipped to England,
impacting colonial trade practices. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 mandated that many printed materials in the colonies carry a tax stamp, affecting newspapers, legal documents, and licenses. -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act required colonists to provide housing for British troops, further inflaming tensions. -
Townshend Acts
In 1767, the Townshend Acts imposed duties on various imported goods, including glass, tea, and paper. This aimed to raise revenue and assert British control but met with violent resistance. -
Boston Massacre
On March 5, 1770, tensions escalated in Boston, topping in British soldiers firing into a crowd of colonists who were taunting them. Five colonists were killed, an event that shocked public sentiment. -
Boston Tea Party
On December 16, 1773, colonists, dressed as Mohawk Indians, boarded British ships, and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This protest was a response to the Tea Act, which granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in America. -
Intolerable Acts (aka Coercive Acts)
Passed in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party the intolerable acts aimed to tighten British control key provisions included closing Boston Harbor and revoking the Massachusetts Charter effectively undermining colonial self-governance -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition, sent in July 1775,
was a final attempt by the Second Continental
Congress to avoid war. It expressed loyalty to
the crown while pleading for redress of
grievances. -
Battle of Lexington & Concord
On April 19, the "shot heard round the world" was
fired at Lexington, sparking skirmishes that escalated
into open conflict. The British were met with
unexpected resistance from colonial militias. -
Second Continental Congress
Convening in May 1775, the Second Continental Congress aimed to organize colonial resistance against Britain, manage the war effort, and ultimately negotiate for independence -
Common Sense
Written by Thomas Paine in early 1776, "Common
Sense" argued for independence from Britain in simple, direct language that resonated with the common citizen. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration laid the groundwork for a new political framework and inspired future democratic movements. It symbolized a radical shift toward independence and self-determination. -
Articles of Confederation
Ratified in 1781, the Articles of Confederation established a loose confederation of states with a weak central government, causing difficulties in governance due to a lack of authority. -
Daniel Shays’ Rebellion
Daniel Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising in western Massachusetts from 1786 to 1787, led by former soldier Daniel Shays. It arose from economic injustices and heavy state taxes that demanded hard currency, driving many struggling farmers to rebellion. The uprising highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and spurred calls for a stronger federal government. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was prompted by issues like Shays' Rebellion, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Delegates from twelve states gathered to address governance challenges, resulting in the United States Constitution. This document established a stronger central government with the power to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and maintain order, aiming to prevent future uprisings.