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beginning of French and Indian War
Started by George Washington in the Ohio Valley, the French and Indian war was fought between Britain and France for two years, with native allies aiding each side. Britain initially lost while their army was commanded by Gen. Braddock, but defeated France with the capture of Quebec and Montreal. It led to the loss of virtually all French colonies in North America to Britain, or to Spain as repayment for support during the war. -
The Proclamation of 1763
Wikipedia Article on the Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was issued by King George III in 1763. It prohibited the settlement of any land beyond the Appalachian mountains by the American colonists. Though meant to prevent native uprisings like that of Pontiac's Rebellion, it instead angered many colonists. They felt it was their right to settle it after having won it in the war, so many ignored it altogether. -
Sugar Act passed
Wikipedia article on the Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was passed by Parliament at the urging of Prime Minister George Grenville. It was the first law passed to raise tax revenue in the colonies for the crown. It increased the duty paid on foreign sugar imported from the West Indies, but this was lowered after bitter colonial protests. -
The Stamp Act passed
Wikipedia article on the Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was passed with the urging of Prime Minister Grenville to help raise money to support the new military force. It mandated the use of stamped paper to show the payment of the tax, and was required for the purchase of about 50 trade items. The Stamp Act was also the main tax protested by the colonists with the Stamp Act Congress and nonimportation agreements. -
Quartering Act passed
Wikipedia article on the Quartering Act
The Quartering Act required certain colonies to provide food and shelter for British troops. It was refused by some colonial assemblies, and in 1767, the New York legislature was suspended by the London government for failure to comply with the act. -
Stamp Act Congress
Wikipedia article on the Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress was formed in response to the Stamp Act. It included 27 delegates from 9 of the 13 colonies. It was held in New York City. The delegates wrote to both Parliament and King George III asking for the act to be repealled. They also wrote a document called the Declaration of Rights and Grievances, listing their complaints. The congress was ignored in America and Britain. -
Stamp Act repealled
After much debate over colonial reaction and the consequences for backing down, the Stamp Act was repealled less than a year after it was passed. -
Declaratory At is passed
Wikiipedia article on the Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act was passed by Parliament after the Stamp Act was repealled, to reaffirm Parliament's right to rule over the colonies "in all cases whatsoever." in other words, the act declared the absolute sovereignty of Britain over all North American colonies. -
Townshend Acts passed
Wikipedia article on the Townshend Act
The Townshend Acts were passed by Parliament at the suggestion of Charles Townshend. they imposed a light import duty on glass, white lead, paper, paint, and tea. unlike the Stamp Act, however, these taxes were indirect, payable at American ports. They were used to pay the salaries of royal officials in the colonies. Though hated by the colonists, these taxes faced less opposition than the Stamp Act -
British troops occupy Boston
Background section of a Wikipedia article on the Boston Massacre
In response to tension caused by the enforcing of the Townshend Act, four regiments were sent to Boston. the first regiment left Britain on October 1, 1768. Two regiments were removed in 1769, but clashes between civilians and soldiers eventually led to the Boston Massacre. -
the Boston Massacre
Wikipedia article on the Boston Massacre
On March 5, 1770, a group of 60 Boston townspeople provoked a suad of 10 redcoats to fire on the crowd, apparently without orders. Eleven colonists were killed or wounded. One of the first to die was a runaway slave named Crispus Attucks, who was one of the leaders of the mob. -
all Townshend Acts repealled except the tax on tea
Despite being less hated than the Stamp Act, colonists still protested the Townshend Act, mainly with nonimportation agreements and boycotts. In addition, the revenues raised were less than expected. All taxes excep the tea tax were repealled on April 12, 1770 -
Boston Tea Party
Wikipedia article on the Boston Tea Party
In response to the Tonshend tax on tea, a group of 300 to 130 men boarded several ships in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor. One result of this protest was the passing of the Intolerable Acts. -
First Continental Congress meets
The First Continental Congress met in Philidelphia to consider ways to reconcile with Britain over colonial grievances. Twelve of thirteen colonies sent a total of 55 delegates, with the only colony not to Georgia. The congress met for seven weeks, wrote the Declaration of Rights, and solemn appeals to other British colonies, the King, and the British people. They also created The Association, which was a complete boycott of all British goods. they also made a plan to meet in May, 1775 if needed -
The Quebec Act
Wikipedia article on the Quebec Act
The Quebec Act was passed by Parliament as a way to administer the 60,000 new French subjects in Canada gained with the victory of the French and Indian War. It granted the French the freedom to practice Catholicsm, the right to reatain their own customs and institutions, including no representative assemblies or trial by jury, and an extension of the Quebec's border to the Ohio Valley, angering colonists. -
First Continental Congress ends
The First Continental Congress ended on this day with the plan to meet in May 1775 if necessary. -
Battle of Concord
Wikipedia Article on the Battles of Lexington and Concord
After the Battle of Lexington, the British moved on to Concord. There, they faced greater opposition and were forced to retreat back to Boston. In the process, there were 300 casualties, including 70 dead, for the British. -
Battle of Lexington
Wikipedia Article on the Battles of Lexington and Concord
In April 1775, a British commander sent troops to a town called Lexington, near Boston, to seize stores of gunpowder and the rebel leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock. They were faced by "minutemen," who didn't disperse. Shots were fired killing 8 colonists and wounding several others. -
First meeting of the Second Continental Congress
As agreed, the congress met again in May 1775, this time with delegates from all 13 colonies. While initially still hopeful for reconciliation, the congress also started measures to raise money for an army and elected George Washington as the commander. in July 1775, they created the Olive Branch Petition to prove loyalty to the crown, but it failed. on June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee proposed a clean break from Britain. it was passed, and on July 4, The Declaration of Independence was signed. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
In June 1775, colonial militia seized a hill, formerly Breed's Hill but now known as Bunker Hill. the Britsh were sent to face them in a frontal attack of 3,000 men, leading to a slughter as they charged up the hill in lines for the Americans to pick off, despite there only being 1,500 of them. The battle was only stopped when the Americans ran out of gunpowder and were forced to flee. -
Publishing of Common Sense by Thomas Paine
A highly influential pamphlet published in the colonies, Common Sense was a best-seller that went on to sell 120,000 copies. The author, Thomas Paine, wrote that small countries such as Britain should not control such large territories like the colonies, and that the King was "the Royal Brute of Great Britain." Paine also wrote about the idea of Republicanism, that those who rule should get their power from the people. Common Sense, and the ideas in it, led to much debate among the colonists.
