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French and Indian War
known as the Seven Years War in the American colonies, ends with the Treaty of Paris, leaving Britain victorious over France but saddled with a huge war debt. -
The British Parliament enacts the Sugar Act
the first of several unpopular attempts to raise revenues from the colonies through taxes on imported goods. -
Parliament enacts the Townshend Acts
which impose taxes on paper, paints, glass, and tea. Colonists angry at “taxation without representation” boycott these British goods and harass the customs officials charged with enforcement of the duties. -
troop of British soldiers arrive in Boston
to maintain public peace and order, as well as enforce British tax laws. Many colonists in Boston treat the solders as though they are an invading army, and regularly harass them. -
Colonist VS Ebenezer Richardson
When a group of colonists protests at the home of Loyalist Ebenezer Richardson, a small riot breaks out and Richardson fires into the crowd, wounding an eleven year-old boy named Christopher Seider. Seider dies later that evening. -
Christopher Seider's Funeral
Seider is proclaimed a martyr for liberty and a victim of tyranny. Seider’s long funeral procession increased tensions with the British soldiers stationed in Boston. -
Brawl at the Rope
Colonists and British soldiers get into a brawl at John Gray's ropewalk (a ropemaking facility) in Boston. -
The Boston Massacre
A wigmaker’s apprentice insults a British officer, and in retaliation, a soldier named Hugh White smacks the apprentice on the side of the head with his musket butt. Several hours later, a crowd of colonists gather around white near the Boston Customs House, throwing snowballs, ice, and oyster shells. More soldiers are sent to help White, the crowd continues to throw snowball and wave sticks, someone yells “Fire!” and the soldiers shoot into the crowd. Five colonists are killed. Although the -
Gathering in Faneuil Hall
Captain Thomas Preston arrested and sent to jail. Citizens of Boston gather in Faneuil Hall, to call for the immediate removal of all British troops from the city. John Adams and Josiah Quincy agree to defend Captain Preston and the soldiers.