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The Proclamation.
King George made a law that was called The Proclamation. This law stated that the colonists could not move over the Appalachian Mountains. -
Angry colonists.
In 1764, a law was passed which said the colonies could not print or use their own money. -
The Stamp Act.
In 1765, the Stamp Act was passed. The tax stamps had to be put on 54 kinds of papers, including playing cards, newspapers, wills and licenses. -
"No taxation without representation!"
In October 1765, nine colonies sent people to a meeting in New York City to talk about the Stamp Act. They made the decision that the Parliament could not tax the American colonies since they had no representation in Parliament. -
The Townshend Act.
In 1767, the British passed the Townsend Act. This act placed taxes on tea, glass, paper, and paint. Many colonists refused to pay the taxes or to buy any goods made in England. -
Beginning of what was "war."
Fighting finally started between colonists and the British army in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. They were fed up. -
Declaration of Independence.
Signing of the Declaration of Independence—The signing of this document declared the colonists free from King George and England and sparked the American Revolution. -
British defeat!
In February 1778, following a British defeat, the French granted diplomatic recognition to the new United States. -
End of war.
When General Cornwallis was forced to surrender to the American and French forces under Washington at Yorktown in 1781, the British decided to end the war. -
Constitution.
The proposed Constitution created a federal system in which the national government and the state governments shared power. -
Bill of Rights.
As promised during negotiations over ratification, the new Congress proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution. The states approved 10 of the amendments. Together, these amendments became known as the Bill of Rights.