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Commitee of Correspondence Established
Formed in order to spread the written word from town to town and colony to colony. It was used as a form of communication.
In November, 1764, the first committe in Massachusetts was formed.
On December 17th, 1774, the last New York committee was formed. -
Stamp Act Protests
Most colonists greatly opposed the Stamp Act. They started the saying "No taxation without representation". American colonists threatened the tax collectors and boycotted all British goods unless the Stamp Act was cancelled; which it was, 1 year later on March 18th, 1765. -
Stamp Act
A tax formed by the British government, stating that all American colonists had to pay a tax on every piece of paper that they used. It angered the colonists because it was a direct attempt by England to benefit financially from the colonies without having to get the approval of the colonial legislatures. -
Gaspee Affair
The Gaspee was a ship which belonged to Lieutenant Duddington. The night before the 10th, a local vessel was traveling to Providence when the captain baited The Gaspee. The Gaspee was forced to ground. News of the grounding reached Providence quickly, and a group of people boarded the Gaspee. The group burned and looted the Gaspee, wounded Duddington and kidnapped the whole crew. -
Boston Tea Party
The Tea Act (May 10, 1773) changed import duties so that the East India Company could undersell even smugglers in the colonies. Tea was sent to the colonies, and, angered by this, the colonists discussed whether or not to send the tea back to England, and how. Instead, Samuel Adams and a group of his followers dressed as Indians and dumped the tea overboard; more than 40 tons of it! -
Coersive Acts
Boston Port Act (June 1) - Closed ports in Bostron until East India Company was reimbursed for tea destroyed in Boston Tea Party, and pay for damages due to unrest. (see image)
Quartering Act (June 2) - Colonists had to provide temporary living places for soldiers.
Administration of Justice Act (May 20) - British officials accused of crimes in their duties had the oppourtunity to avoid courts.
Mass. Gov. Act (May 20) - Put restraints on the power of town meetings, therefore self government. -
First Continental Congress
All of the colonies except Georgia sent representitives to partake in the congress. The people were elected by the people of the colony, the colonial legislatures, or the commities of correspondence of the colony. They wanted to show that they were united in a common alliance against Great Britian. Although they stated that they had this common goal, in reality all of their goals were slightly different.
See painting of congress in image. -
The Quebec Act
Granted French-Catholics living in Quebec the right to choose their own religion and civil government freedom. It also allowed Catholic Canadians to hold positions in the government. It kept the English criminal laws and French civil law was put into power again. -
Second Continental Congress Meets
Although Congress lacked the ability to govern, they still made important changes including those in legislation, opening of diplomatic channels, independence, financing the war, statements of position, and military matters. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The British General sent soldiers to destory guns and supplies that colonists were hiding in Concord, and to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock in Lexington. Paul Revere rode into Lexington and alerted Adams and Hancock, who were able to escape. A group of Minutemen and colonists had formed to meet the incoming soldiers. However, the Minutemen were outnumbered. At Concord, the colonists moved their guns and ammunition to other hiding places. The soldiers could only destroy some materials. -
Paul Revere's Ride
Paul Revere rode into Lexington to alert the colonists of the British plan before the battle of Lexington. He was not able to make it to Concord, and was captured.
See map of ride in image. -
Olive Branch Petition
It was written by John Dickinson, directly to King George III of Great Britain. The petition was written in hopes that the colonies could form an agreement with Great Britain, releasing them from the British rule, and avoiding a war. -
George Washing Appointed General
When George Washington became General of the United States military, the military became much stronger. He was the one person who was absolutely necessary for the United States victory in the American Revolution. He kept the Revolution moving and stopped it from falling apart. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
A group of rebels from Connecticutt and Massachusetts, led by William Prescott (I'm related to him), snuck into Boston, which was taken over by British troops. When the British saw the camp out that the rebels had made, they responded with a massive attack on the rebels in Charleston. Although the rebels were driven back, it was not done without an incredible loss of British lives. This battle proved that the colonies could fight back against British troops and were strong enough to do damage. -
Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition
Tensions were rising in England after the battles of Lexington and Concord among other rebellions among colonists. The King of England decided to make this statement to show his lack of tolerance for violence and rebellion.
See offcial document in image. -
Common Sense Published
Common Sense challenged the authority of British Government and the royal monarchy. It openly asked for independence from Great Britain, and was very influential to the American Revolution. -
British Evacuate Boston
British troops were forced to evacuate from Boston, thanks to the skillfully placed cannons and forces set up on Dorchester Heights by General George Washington. -
Writing of the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson (see picture) wrote the first copy of the Declaration of Independence. It stated that the colonists' had the right to rebel against British government, and that all men were created equal and had the rights to life, liberty, and happiness. These rights are called the inaliable rights.
inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. -
Declaration of Independance Accepted
The Declaration of Independance was accepted as a means of dissolving ties between British rule, allowing the Thirteen Colonies to become independent. The reason for the split off Britain was because King George had caused a lot of pain to the Colonies, and they felt he was ruling with absolute tyranny. -
British Pulled Out of Virginia
The British are forced out of Virginia after the battle of Yorktown.
