6. Key moments in american history

The American Revolution – The War of Independence (1775 – 1783):

• Till 1763: American support → defeat of the French

  • After that: prohibiton of moving further West and extanding territory – no money for fighting with Indians – GB has to pay its own war debts → increasing taxes for Americans and preventing them from free international trade (to keep them for GB → source of money)

• A movement to end Britih rule in American colonies became active in the 1770‘s

• 1765: Stamp act – all printed material including newspapers → resistance and boycott of English goods

  • It was later revoked, but the autonomy of colonies was bannes and new taxes (duties) introduced → again the boycott → raising the number of soldiers in US, duties are revoked apart from tea – British monopol

• 1773: The Boston Tea Party – the act of throwing a cargo of tea into the sea in protest against the duty on it.

  • local settlers dressed as Native Americans

  • from this point on the struggle for independence got stronger

• 1775: war between GB and the colonies

• 1776: The Continental Congress (representatives of 13 colonies) met in Philadelphia as a rebellious body, which organized first American troops commanded by George Washington. -

  • On 4th July 1776 – The Declaration of Independence was adopted and proclaimed. The author of this document was Thomas Jefferson. Thus, in fact the War of Independence started.

  • From the Declaration of Independence: “All the men are created equal; all men have the right to life, libertyand the pursuit of happiness.“

  • Consent of the govored – idk !!!!!!!!!!!

  • They formed the United States of America – independent from British, own laws

  • Powerful countries In Europe – wanted to get their support – needed regognizing from

  • Founding fathers: G. Washington, T. Jefferson, B. Franklin = formation of the country's new government

• The war of Independence

  • At first, Washington´s army suffered several defeats but later on the superiority of the British began to weaken, mainly because they didn´t know the area.

  • Americans got the support from the volunteers from Europe and later from the French and Spanish army

• 1783: Britain recognized USA

  • Treaty of Paris

  • the original 13 colonies who were proclaimed independent are symbolized in the 13 stipes of the American flag

  • GB also gave the nation rights to almost all the territory between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River.

• 1788: The Constitution adopted USA a federation: Congress (House of Representatives + Senate)

• 1789 – George Washington – the first president

• 1791 – Bill of Rights (freedom of speech, religion etc.) – konečná forma Constitution – long process of ratifing THE AMENDMENTS – first 10 freedom of speech, religion egual opportunities (FOR WHITE RICH MEN), right to keep bear arms (weapons)

- stars and stripes – 50 + district of Colombia

• During the period of 1790 – 1860 the area of the USA almost trebled (buying Lousiana from France, getting Florida from Spain, Texas from Mexico…)

• beginning of the 19th cent. – expansion; pushing away the Indians, building of roads, railways, also first steamboats appeared at that time

• 1860 – Abraham Lincoln (a member of the republican party) was elected president