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Sugar Act
British legislation aimed at ending the smuggling trade in sugar and molasses from the French and Dutch West Indies. -
Stamp Act
Stamp act requires stamped paper for documents, printed items
Tax reaches every colonist; lawbreakers tried in vice-admiralty court -
Townshend Acts
Townshend Acts levy duties on imported materials,
Colonists enraged causing riots. Customs agents seize John Hancock’s ship Liberty for unpaid taxes. -
The Boston Massacre
Mob gathers at Customs House; clashes erupts, five colonists killed. Colonists burn customs ships; suspects to be tried in Britain -
Boston Tea Party
Tea Act lets East India Company avoid tax, and disguised colonists dump 18,000 lbs, tea in harbor. -
The Intolerable Acts
1774, Parliament passes Intolerable Acts as response to Tea Party
Acts close Boston Harbor; quarter soldiers in empty homes, building -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The start of the American War of Independence causing many Americans to take up arms and fight for their independence. -
British attack on coastal towns
The British Navy bombarded and burned the towns of Falmouth, Massachusetts -
Battle at Bunker Hill
The colonial forces faced important causalities against the enemy which provided them with a confidence boost. -
The Olive Branch Petition
Congress sends Olive Branch Petition to restore, “harmony”, George III rejects petition, orders naval blockade. -
The Second Continental Congress
Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia and debate independence, recognize militiamen as Continental Army, appoint George Washington commander, and prints paper money to pay troops -
The Battle of Trenton
Washington crosses Delaware River into New Jersey and surprises Hessian garrison making him win the Battle of Trenton -
The Fight for Philadelphia
Gen. William Howe beats Washington at Brandywine, PA. Howe takes U.S. capital, Philadelphia; Continental Congress flees -
Victory at Saratoga
Gen, John Burgoyne leads British, allies south from Canada and
surrounded at Saratoga, Burgoyne surrenders to Gen, Horatio Gates -
Winter at Valley Forge
Valley Forge was the site of Continental Army’s winter camp.
Makeshift huts, tents provide little protect against cold. Out of 10,000 soldier, more than 2,000 die of cold and hunger.