1607

Jamestown, Virginia

founded as first permanent 

English settlement

1776

Declaration of Independence 

adopted on July 4, 1776

1787

US Constitution is written. 

Many do not like it and fear it gives too

much power to the government.

1789

US Constitution is adopted...

after a BILL OF RIGHTS

is added

Becomes "Law of the Land"

ACTS

The British passed a series of ACTS, or laws, to raise

money through taxes. 

The Acts were often known by what they taxed, 

and were hated by the colonists.

Included the Stamp Act, the Quartering Act,

and the Townshend Acts.

Important Battles of the American Revolution

Important Battles of the American Revolution

1775-1783

1. Lexington & Concord
2. Saratoga
3. Yorktown
4. Treaty of Paris 1783

Lexington & Concord

Battle of Lexington & Concord

The first battle of the American Revolution.

Surprise victory for the colonists!

Battle of Saratoga

Battle of Saratoga: 1777

Turning point in the war.

This victory brought the French into war - on our side.

Battle of Yorktown

Battle of Yorktown: 1781

Last battle.

English surrendered to Washington, thus ending the war.

Treaty of Paris

Treaty of Paris: 1783

Signed at the end of the war

Gave the USA new lands between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River

Stamp Act

Stamp Act

Part of the British Acts, it required a stamp showing a tax had been paid on newspapers, legal documents, playing cards, dice, etc.

Quartering Act

Quartering Act

Part of the British Acts,it forced colonists

to give quarter or housing to British soldiers

Townshend Acts

Townshend Acts

Part of the British Acts,

it placed a tax on tea, glass, oil, paint, and paper.

American Revolution:

Main Idea/Summary

American Revolution: Main Idea

• The 13 Original Colonies fought a war with England for our independence
• Led by George Washington, it was fought from 1775-1783
• America's first form of a government was created during the American Revolution and it was called the Articles of Confederation
• The war ended in victory for the colonies and led to the creation of the United States of America!

Events of the American Revolution

Events of the American Revolution

Difference over taxes was a major cause - colonists felt that if they were to pay the taxes King George III wanted them to, they should be represented in England's lawmaking body called Parliament, but he refused to allow the colonists to participate.

To show their displeasure with taxation policies colonists began to:

-Protest, leading to killing of colonists at the Boston Massacre

-Boycott - colonists began smuggling in goods to avoid taxes

-Destroy British property, leading to the Boston Tea Party

The colonial battle cry became: NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!

Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence: July 4, 1776

Written by Thomas Jefferson

Three Parts:

1. Listed grievances (complaints) colonies had with England
2. Stated we have "unalienable rights" like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
3. Stated we are a free & independent nation

George Washington

George Washington

• Commander in Chief, Continental Army
• Leadership gave colonies a fighting chance to win
• FIRST President, elected in 1789

Common Sense

Common Sense

Thomas Paine wrote the pamphlet "Common Sense"

explaining why colonists should be 

free and independent of England.

Important People in the American Revolution

Important People in the American Revolution

• Thomas Jefferson
• John Adams
• Benjamin Franklin
• Thomas Paine
• King George III

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson

Author of the Declaration of Independence

Later became President and made the Louisiana Purchase

John Adams

John Adams

Colonial leader of the Sons of Liberty, a protest group

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin

Inventor

Scientist

Diplomat

Colonial leader

Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine

Englishman who wrote "Common Sense", telling colonists reasons why they should be free and independent from England.

King George III

King George III

England's King

Felt he always had the right to tax the colonists

The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation: written 1777, adopted 1781

America's first form of government - proved to have too many weaknesses because it did not give the federal government enough powers to be run successfully

Government lacked the power to tax, settle state disputes, regulate trade, raise a military, or coin money

Shay's Rebellion proved the Articles weren't working and needed to be changed

A Constitutional Convention would be held in 1787 to write a new document

for a stronger government