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Protest of Stamp Act
In March of 1765 the Colonists protested against the stamp act taxes before they went into effect. It began with protests and petitions, then led to refusals to pay the taxes, and eventually harassment of British soldiers and officials. This reaction by the colonists began a pattern of action against the British officers. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was the first direct British tax on American colonists. Instituted in November, 1765. Every newspaper, pamphlet, and other public and legal document had to have a Stamp, or British seal, on it. -
Gaspee Affair
To stop smugglers from bringing in good to the colonies, the British set up ships along the coast, including the Gaspee, which the colonists seized and burned. -
Committees of Correspondence Established
In March 1773 Thomas Jefferson suggested that each colony create s committee of correspondence to communicate with the other colonies about British activities. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists awere fed up with the many taxes British are imposing on them and decide to get together and dump about 3 ships worth of tea brought into Boston ports on British ships. This was done to send a message to the British that they (the colonists) weren’t going to let the British push them around any longer. -
Coercive Acts
The Coercive or Intolerable Acts were a retaliation by the British after the Boston Tea Party. These acts included the Quartering Act, Boston Port Bill, Administration of Justice Act, Massachusetts Government Act, and the Quebec Act. The goal of establishing these acts in the colonies was to reinforce British power over the colonies. -
Quebec Act
This act was included in the intolerable/coercive acts and it extended the Canadian borders to cut off the western colonies of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Virginia from Canadian territory. -
First Continental Congress
The first Continental Congress met in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia, from September 5, to October 26, 1774. -
George Washington Appointed General
Washington was elected General in 1775 and he commanded his group of colonist volunteers to become soldiers. Washington was a great leader of the colonists and led them to victory against the British in the end. Washington was very clever and cunning, this is what allowed him to sneak up and attack the British at the perfect times. -
Paul Revere’s Ride
On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere rode to Lexington to warn the colonists about the British. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
These were the first shots fired between American and British troops, on April 19, 1775. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The battle of bunker hill was one of the most important colonial victories in the fight for independence. This battle proved that there would be a long battle necessary. The colonists victory proved to themselves, Britain, and the rest of the world that they could stand up for themselves and they didn’t need British support. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Second Congregational Congress drafted the olive Branch petition as a final attempt of peacefully resolving the conflict between them and Britain. This petition outlined their problems and asked the British government to deal with them in a peaceful manner. King George of England however refused to accept it because he believed he could solve the colonists rebellion with his military force. -
Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition
King George refused to look at the declaration of independence so he issued the Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition stating that the colonies were now open and avowed enemies. -
British pulled out of Virginia
Patriot troops attacked and defeated Virginian governor Dunmore's troops near Norfolk, Virginia. British then pulled their soldiers out of Virginia leaving the Patriots in control. -
Common Sense Published
On January 15 1776Common Sense was published by Thomas Paine. It challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. It was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. -
British evacuate Boston
On March 17, 1776 the British evacuation of Boston happened because of a bloodless liberation of Boston by the Patriots causing British troops and Royalists to leave Boston by ship and sail to Nova Scotia. -
Second Continental Congress
After the battles of Lexington and Concord, a second congregational congress of the colonies met on May 10, 1776 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At this congress they decided to completely break away from Great Britain, and made other important decisions such as the Declaration of Independence. -
Writing of Declaration of independence
Written in June 1776, Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence, included eighty-six changes. -
Declaration of independence
The Declaration of Independence was isgned and issued by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. Many prominent Americans signed it, including John Hancock, John Adams, and Samuel Adams.
