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Passing of the Stamp Act
This act put a tax on printed items such as newspapers and any other documents. It was the first tax that affected colonists directly because it was based on goods. -
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Star to end American Revolution
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Sons of Liberty are unofficialy formed
A group fomed to pretoect the rights of the American colonists from the British crown. Notable members include John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere and Benedict Arnold. -
Repeal of Stamp Act
Merchants in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia all agreed to boycott British goods until the Stamp Act was repealed. The British Parliament repealed law but passed the Delaratory act on the same day. -
Declaratory Act
This act stated that "Parliament's authority was the same in America as in Britain and asserted Parliament's authority to make binding laws on the American colonies." Many colonies refused to comply with the act. -
Passing of the Townshend Act
This act taxed amy good that were imported into the colony from Britain. The Sons of Liberty boycotted all British goods because of this act. Many colonists protested with the phrase " no taxation without representation" and boycotting British goods. -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers being taunted by an angry mob gathered in front of the Boston Customs House fired on the mob and killed 5. Colonial leader used the event as propaganda targeting the British government. -
Passing of Tea Act
This act granteed the British East India Company to sell tea to the colonies free of taxes that colonial tea sellers had to pay. It was protested agianst in the colonies. -
Boston Tea Party
In response to the Tea Act a group of colonists dressed up as Indians boarded British ships in the Boston Harbor and destroyed three shiploads of tea by throwing it into Bosotn Harbor. -
Intolerable Acts passed
The intolerables Acts was a series of harsh acts including shutting down Boston Harbor and housing soldiers in vacant private homes and other buildings -
First metting of the 1st Continental Congress
56 delegates from all of the colonies met in Philadelphia responding to the Intolerable Acts. They drew up a declaration of colinial rights and stated that, " if the British used force against the colonies, the colonies should fight back." -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The battle of Lexington, Massachusetts was the first battle of the war and only lasted15 minutes with the colonists retreating. The battle of Concord, Massachusetts was a slaughter with three to four thousand minutemen picking off British soldiers retreating to Boston after a short battle. -
Second Continental Congress is established
Many loyalties divided this convention of delegates from the thirteen colonies. Some wanted independence and some wanted to make peace witg Great Britain but they all recognized the colonial militia as the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as its commander -
Common Sense is published
Common sens is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that attacked King George and the British government. It made many colonists stop doubting separating with Britain. It also sold 500,000 copies in 1776. -
Battle of New York
The British sailed into New York with a force of about 32,000 soldiers and defeated the poorly equiped Continental Army. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence declared the colonies independence from Britain. It states that "all men are created equal" and declared that "all men have the right to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" to be rights than cannot be taken away. -
Battle of Trenton
Determined to earn a victory, Washington crossed the Delaware River in a fierce storm to ambush a garriosn of Hessians ( German mercenaries). The vicotry boosted morale and inspired soldiers to re-enlist. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Continental Army effectively picked apart British General John Burgoyne while he thought more soldiers were coming to help him and they would meet in New York.This American victory convinced France to openly join the war. -
Battle of Yorktown
The battl of Yorktown was the last major land battle of the war and was a clear victory by American and French forces over British General Cornwallis who was forced to surrender. -
Treaty of Paris
The signing of the Treaty of Paris by the U.S. delegates confirmed independence. The U.S. now went from the Mississippi River to the Atlantic Oceand and from Candada to the Florida border.
