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Albany Plan of Union
Benjamin Franklin proposed the creation of annual congress of delegates from each of the 13 colonies. He wanted to discuss the problems and the dangerous attacks caused by the French and Native American allies. He also wanted the group to be able to raise military and naval forces, create war and peace with the Native Americans, control trade affairs, and tax and collect custom duties. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a law passed to put tax stamps on legal documents, business agreements, and newspapers. The new taxes were denounced and rates were severe. Parliament repealed the Stamp Act, and colonists showed their anger by not following the laws. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre befell when British soldiers led an attack on the city of Boston, killing 5 men. Before the attack, British put several new taxes in place on the American colonies such as taxes on tea, glass, paper, paint, and lead. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty. They disguised themselves as Native Americans and boarded the ships full of tea. They threw every chest of tea into the Boston Harbor. This lead up to the American Revolution. -
The Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were passed by the British parliament as punishment for the destruction done during the Boston Tea Party. There were 5 laws passed, including the Boston Port Act, the Massachusetts Government Act, the Administration of Justice Act, the Quartering Act, and the Quebec Act. -
The First Continental Congress
In September, representatives from each of the 13 colonies, besides Georgia, grouped together in Philadelphia to form the First Continental Congress. The meeting was called after the British parliament put the Intolerable Acts in place, which planned on punishing Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. The purpose was to discuss options and to finally petition King George III to the reprieve these acts. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord was the first battle beginning the Revolutionary War. British troops were sent to take away colonial weapons, but were soon ambushed by an angry militia of a small, untrained American army. The American army took the victory. -
American Revolution
The American Revolution began in in April 1775 because of the rise of tension between Britain and the 13 colonies. This war lead to Americas independence as the United States of America. -
The Second Continental Congress
After succeeding in the First Continental Congress, the Second Continental Congress was established. One of their biggest accomplishments was when they created the continental army and made George Washington the general. They controlled Colonial war efforts and moved slowly but steadily towards independence. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress made the Declaration of Independence to explain to foreign countries why they were choosing to separate themselves from Britain and all their affairs. It was a representation of why America deserved to have their own government. This document explained certain inalienable rights people have as well as rules and regulations everyone must follow. It ultimately made their independence official.
