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Stamp Act
Britain was in debt from the seven year war. They taxed the colonies for money. It was parliaments first attempt at asseting government authority over the colonies. -
The protest of the stamp act
The colonists were revolting against the stamp act saying it was ridiculous and they did not want to pay it. Most colonists thought it was a violation of their rights to tax them without their "consent". -
Gaspee Affair
The colonists looted and bured the Gaspee Ship. This attack was led by John Brown. THe captain of the ship was rude to the colonists. He would board their ship without charge and steal their food. The colonists were fed up and revolted. -
Boston Tea Party
No ships were allowed to land tea. Had many meetings where they decided what to do with the tea. The final decision was brought up saying "boston harbor a teapot tonight!" Hurrah for grffin's wharf!" Many men went aboard the ship, within 3 hours around 342 chests of tea were dumped. British were very upset with the colonists. -
Quebec Act
It was the act for making "effectual provision for the government of the of the province of quebec" To give more rights to the french people in quebec. -
First Contiental Congress
Represtantives from each colony mry in Carpenters Hall, Philadelphia. All the colonies but Georgia were there. They were determined to show authority to Britian. -
Coercive Acts
AKA the "restraining acts". Act created in order to control Massachusetts more strongly after the Boston tea party. -
Paul Revere's Ride
Paul was sent by Dr. Joseph Warren and was instructed to ride to Lexington to warn Sam Adams and John Hancock the British were coming. He was stopped by 2 redcoats on the Charles River but he borrowed a horse from Deacon John Larkin and made it to Lexington. He warned the citizens "the British are coming!" -
Battles of Lexington and Concrod
In lexington 77 men organized under Captain Parker. They lined up against the strongest military in the world, the british. No one knows who fired the first shot but the out come was 8 Americans dead and 10 wounded. From Lesington the British marched towards Concord where they thought to be a stash of weapons. But when they arrived they found nothing. They decided to march back to Boston and were fired at by Colonists along the way. -
Second Continental congress
Met at state house in Philidelphia. Told the militia to be the continental army and represent the thirteen colonies (states). George Washington was elected to be commander in chief of the army. -
George Washington is appointed general
The next day he made an acceptance speech in congress. He did not want a salary but asked congress to pay for his expenses at the end of war. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
There were many more British troops than American troops. British vs. Americans. The British won (more advanced weapons &more people). -
Olive branch petition
To "assert" the rights of teh colonists but at the same time keep loyalty with the British. King refused to read the petition and said that the colonists kept trying to avoid the war and rebellions. -
Proclamartion for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition
This document stated the colonies were in an open rebellion to his authority and that they were subject to punishment. -
Commitees of Correspondence Established
This commitees of Correspondence were established to created communication with colonial agents in Britian. Benjamin Franklin, John Jay. John Dickinson, Benjamin Harrison, and Thomas Johnson were all on the commitee. It is also know asthe Commitee of secret Correspondence. -
British evacuate Boston
The British were forced to evacuate by general George Washington becuase of his placement of cannons on Dorchester heights. -
Common Sense Published
Written by Thomas Paine, this book made an agrument for American Independance. It explains why it is time to break free of Britain and convinced colonists it was time as well. -
Writing of the Declaration of Independence
COngress selected a commitee to draft the Declaration. This comitee consisted of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. It was released on the 4th of July. -
Declaration of Independence
This decaratino states the reasons the british colnies sough independence, it stated the principle under hich the new nation would be governed and it declared Americas Idenpendence.