The French and Indian War (1754-1763)
During this time, France and Britain both had colonies in the North America. The British then wanted to settle in the Ohio River Valley so that they could trade with the Native Americans. The French didn't like this, so they set up forts to defend their trade with the Natives. George Washington decided to lead a army against the French in 1754, but was sadly defeated. Britain decided to start a war against the French for control of the valley, which was called the French and Indian War. In 1757, the British defeated the French by sending more troops to North America and finishing them off in Canada.
Boston Massacre (1770)
When the thirteen colonies were still under British control, the British Parliment created the Stamp Act and the Sugar Act. This made a tax on newspapers, legal documents, and foreign refined imported sugar. When this news reached the colonies, colonists were not happy about it. They decided to rebel against the British soldiers, causing the soldiers to shoot into the angered crowd. Five colonists were killed and six were injured. This incident was later called the Boston Massacre and was the start of the American Revolution.
Boston Teaparty (1773)
In 1773, Britain still had control over the colonies and created the Tea Act. This put a tax on tea for the colonists. The colonists were angered by this and wanted to rebel against it. The Sons of Liberty decided to do something about it so on the same day the Tea Act was created, they dressed up in mohawks, impersonating Natives. They then boarded a ship full of tea, and dumped 342 crates of tea in the Boston Harbor. Over 92,000 pounds of tea were destroyed in the process and it was later called the Boston Tea Party.
The First Continental Congress (1774)
The First Continental Congress was a meeting where delegates from 12 out of the 13 colonies met. This meeting took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It occurred September 5, 1774. Its purpose was to respond to the Intolerable Acts. The Intolerable Acts were punishment from Britain for the Boston Tea Party in Massachusetts.
The Second Continental Congress (1775)
In the summer of 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the delegates from the thirteen colonies met. This meeting was called the Second Continental Congress. The Second Continental Congress was held to manage to war efforts, and moving towards independence. In this meeting the United States Declaration of Independence, which was written by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted as well. During this meeting a lot of treaties were also made.
The Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775)
On April 18, 1775, British troops marched to from Boston to Concord. British troops were on their way to confiscate colonial weapons. Angry militiamen came in order to intercept. During battle, the British began to retreat. In 1783 the colonists won their independence. This was called the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
The Battles of Trenton and Princeton (1776-1777)
The night of January, 2, 1777 the Continential Army repulsed a British attack at Trenton. After wards the retreated to go attack the British in Princeton. General Washington wanted to have one last attack before setting up for winter. They had a victory at both Trenton and Princeton. These victories lead to more recrutés in the spring. The battles were later named the Battles of Trenton and Princeton.
Battle of Saratoga (1777)
The Battle of Saratoga was the key to the Revolutionary War. The Battles of Saratoga consists of three major battles. The battle were called the First Battle of Saratoga, the Second Battle of Saratoga, and the Convention of Saratoga. The success of these three battle helped the other countries realize America's independence. This caused them to earn many allies, such as France.
Valley Forge (1777-1778)
Valley Forge was a military camp were the Continental Army were stationed for the winter. Valley Forge was eighteen miles northwest from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Continental Army were sheltered there over the winter. Over two thousand five hundred soilders died that winter. The soilders died to starvation, diseaes, malnutrition, and exposure.
Battle of Yorktown (1781)
Also known as the Siege of Yorktown, the Battle of Yorktown was a victory by the American Army and French Army. It ended in October of 1781. It was the last large land battle taking place during the American Revolutionary War. It essentially ended the American Revolution. The Revolutionary War was officially ended by the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
Shay's Rebellion (1786-1787)
Shays' Rebellion was a series of armed protests in 1786 and 1787, started in Massachusetts. Shays' Rebellion was lead by Daneil Shays, a Revolutionary War veteran. Daniel Shay lead a group of famers ,and rebels against state,& local enforcement of tax collections. The protests were also against judgement of debt. This rebellion was stoped by one of Washington's private militia. This rebellion was very improtant because this event swayed the Continental Congress to change the Articles of Confederation to a proper constitution.
The Great Compromise and The Three-fifths Compromise (1787)
The Great Compromise was an agreement in which all states would have equal representation. This was proposed by Robert Sherman along with the ideas of a bicameral legislature. It was established in 1787. The Three-fifths Compromise was when every five slaves would be counted as three people during apportionment.
The U.S. Constitution (1787-1789)
The US Constitution is the updated version of the Articles of Confederation. They are the principles of which the US is based upon. It was ratified in 1788 and drafted in 1787. It supported a strong federal government and gave less power to the states. James Madison is considered the father of the Constituiton because he contributed more than any other delegate and his ideas shaped the Constitution.
Washington's Election(1788-1789)
George Washington was elected president with a unanimous vote of 69 electoral votes. No other President has ever won with a unanimous vote since 1789. The election is now called Washington's Election.
Federalists vs. Anti-federalists(1787-1789)
Federalists were the supporters of the Constitution. Anti- Federalists were those who opposed the ideas of that of the proposed Constitution. The constant disagreement they had became Federalists vs. Anti-federalists.
The Branches of the Government(est. 1787)
The United States has three branches of government. The legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The legislative branch's job is to create laws. The executive branch's job is to enforce the laws. The judicial branch's job is to evaluate the laws. Checks and Balances were made so that no branch has too much power. Checks and Balances allow each of the branches to limit one anothers power and authority. Each branch has a major role and are a large part of the United States' government.
The Bill of Rights(1789-1791)
The United States Bill of Rights were the first ten amendments of the Constitution. These amendments have the ability to decide what the government can and cannot do to individuals. These amendments also include the rights and freedoms of the people.