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Proclamation of 1763
On this day, the Proclamation of 1763 was passed, declaring that there was to be no Colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. The Colonist, either paying no heed to this declaration or rebelling against it, continued to settle west of the Appalachian mountains. Therefore violating the proclamation. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act cut the tax on foreign-made molasses; parliament passed this act in hopes that the Colonist would stop smuggling materials. Alas, this act did not do much for they continued to smuggle in items. -
Stamp Act
Forced Colonists to purchase special stamped paper for all legal documents, newspaper, license, pamphlet, and almanac; imposed taxs on packages of playing cards and dice.
Caused the rise of the Sons of Liberty; harassed customs workers, stamp agents, and even royal governors. In October, 9 delegates met in New York City, who then issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances, stating that Parliment lacked the power to impose taxes on the colonists because they were not represented in parliament. -
Repeal of Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was repealed by parliament; but to make their power clear, parliament then issued the Townshend Act. -
Boston Massacre
Mobs in front of Customs were taunting guards; led to attacks and 4 dead. Samuel Adams and other activists presented it as the British attacking defenseless citizens; propaganda. -
Boston Tea Party
The Tea Act was passed by parliament to help struggling English Tea Companies; more taxes on tea. Colonist dressed up as "Indians" and dumped 18,000 pounds of the East India Company's tea into the Boston Harbor. -
Intolerable Acts
Passed in 1774 as a response to the Boston Tea Party. Boston Harbor was shut down and the Quartering Act was passed, authorizing British soldiers to be housed in vacant private homes. General Thomas was appointed the governor of Massachusetts. To keep the peace, Boston was placed under martial law.
The first Continental Congress was assembled. 56 delegates met in Philadelphia, September 1774, and created a declaration of rights. They also supported the idea that the colonies should fight back -
Lexington and Concord
Troops were sent to Concord, by General Gage, to take illegal weapons and finish the revolution before it started. "The Redcoats are coming, the Redcoats are coming." Paul Revere passes word around the countryside about Redcoats approaching Concord. The Redcoats and Patriots meet face-to-face for the first time. the "Shot Heard Around the War": first shot fired; we don't know who fired first. British soldiers take a bloody retreat with 700 to 1000 men. -
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Valley Forge
This Winter was particularly hard, resulting in 2,000 dead; it was a low point in the war for the Americans -
Battle of Saratoge
The British stage a 3 pronged attack to cut off New England from the Colonies. It was the turning point of the war. It also results in help from the French, handled by Ben Franklin. -
Battle of Yorktown
This was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War where the American and French forces defeated the British, results in the defeat of the British in the war.
