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Seven Years’ War
France and Britain fought over North America in the French and Indian War (1754–1763), which was part of the larger Seven Years' War. American colonists joined the British to fight the French and their allies. Impact: +2
The British defeat of France eliminated French power from North America, closing off a vast threat to the British colonies. But the war had been expensive, and to pay itself back, the British government began introducing new taxes and regulations on the colonies. -
Stamp Act
Britain imposed a direct tax on printed materials in the American colonies through the Stamp Act of 1765. This law required taxes on everyday items such as newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, licenses, and even playing cards. Impact: -2
The Stamp Act became the first major incident of “taxation without representation,” causing a wave of anger across the colonies. Colonists argued that since they had no representatives in the British Parliament, it was unjust to tax them. -
Boston Massacre
Tensions between British soldiers and American colonists exploded in 1770, when British troops fired into a crowd of colonists in Boston. After a confrontation between the soldiers and a group of angry colonists, shots were fired, and five colonists were killed. Impact: -2
The Boston Massacre greatly increased colonial anger and resentment toward the British military presence. Many colonists saw the event as proof that Britain was willing to use violence to oppress them. -
Declaration of Independence
In 1776, the American colonies formally declared their independence from Britain by adopting the Declaration of Independence. the document announced that the thirteen colonies were breaking away from British rule and establishing themselves as free and independent states. Impact: +3
The formal declaration of independence marked the official beginning of American sovereignty and the colonies’ commitment to self-governance and freedom from British. -
U.S. Constitution Drafted
After years of struggling under a weak central government established by the Articles of Confederation, American leaders realized the need for a stronger and more effective national framework. Impact: +3
The creation of the Constitution provided a clear and lasting framework for governance, balancing state and federal powers while protecting individual rights that colonists had fought to secure during the Revolution.