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Proclamation of 1763
British Rationale: The British wanted to avoid conflict with the Native Americans that had settled further west than the Appalachian Mountains, so they decided not to let any English settlements west of there.
Colonial Response: Some ignored the proclamation and settled west anyway. Others disliked the rule, especially since some settlers had already bought land further west than the border, and were then unable to settle it. -
Period: to
American Revolution
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Sugar Act
British rationale: To help mitigate the sugar and molasses smuggling from the French. Colonial Reaction: Colonists in Boston experimented with boycotts of British goods. -
Currency Act
British Rationale: To prevent British merchants from not being paid and to solve a hyperinflation with colonial notes. Colonial Reaction: Petitions and resentment against the British. -
Stamp Act
British rationale: Gain more funds from the colonists because the British protected the colonists during the French and Indian war. Colonial reaction: Petitions, Boycotts of British goods, and violence. -
Quartering Act
British Rationale: British general Thomas Gage was having issues getting the colonies to pay for housing and feeding his soldiers, so he asked Parliament to fix it.
Colonial Reaction: The colonists deeply opposed it, especially since quartering was unnecessary even during the French and Indian War. Soldiers got into skirmishes with colonists over the issue. New York refused to comply with the act, so Parliament threatened to remove their governor from office. -
Repeal of Stamp Act and passage of Declaratory Act
British Rationale: The British repealed the stamp act over protests of the act. The British enacted the declaratory act to have more control over the colonies and say that they have the right to enact any law over all the colonies. Colonial reaction: Rejoiced over the stamp act repeal, and ignored the declaratory act. -
Townshend Acts
British Rationale: Large expenses were incurred during the French and Indian War, and since they had been for the benefit of the American colonists, it seemed right to make the colonists pay for it through taxes.
Colonial Reaction: This measure was deeply unpopular. Boycotts were arranged, to mixed success. Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia sent petitions, which were ignored for the most part. It also indirectly led to the Boston Massacre. -
Tea Act
British rationale: The British East India Company had an excess of tea in their warehouses, so the Tea Act was enacted in order to allow the British East India Company to sell directly to the colonies, instead of having to go through Britain first. It also allowed them to enforce excessive taxes on their tea in the colonies. Colonial reaction: Protests, Boston tea party, boycotts of British tea. -
Coercive or “Intolerable” Acts
British Rationale: British East India tea was destroyed, therefore, the Boston port is closes until damages are paid. Colonists must help pay for the quartering of troops because they are protecting the colonies. Colonial Reaction: Boycotting, Convening the First Continental Congress. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
British rationale: Capture colonialist rebels in order to maintain order within the colonies. Colonial reaction: Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called “Common Sense”. -
Second Continental Congress
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Significance: At this convention, they officially declared independence from Britain with the Declaration of Independence. They also formed the Articles of Confederation, the precursor of the Constitution, and laid out other properties of the new country, including a court system, and started seeking aid from France.
Result: War is formalized, some of the American government is formed.
Effect on War: Officially started the war -
Declaration of Independence
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Significance: Officially declared independence from Britain
Result: Successfully passed through the Second Constitutional Convention
Effect on War: War is declared. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Location: Boston/Charleston Peninsula
Significance: Despite losing, it was a morale builder for Americans because the British had a higher death ratio than the colonists.
Result: American loss
Effect on war: Provided American confidence boost during the siege Boston. -
Battle of Saratoga
Significance: Decisive turning point for the Continental Army in the fight for American independence. Result: After some strife, it was a victory for the Continental Army against the British.
Effect on war: Convinced France to enter the war on the side of the Americans.
