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French and Indian War
This was the North American theatre of the Seven Years' War. It was fought between Britain and France and began because of Pierre Joseph Celoron's military expedition to assert French territorial claims in order to combat British expansion in Ohio. It ended in a British victory. Therefore, British efforts to stop colonist's settlement in the new territory became a major issue in the colonies. -
Stamp Act
This was a tax placed on the British colonies that required any printed goods to have a revenue stamp including newspapers and other documents. This tax was imposed to help pay for the very expensive Seven Years' War. -
Townshend Act
These acts were passed in the colonies to pay off governors and judges to stay loyal to Britain before the Revolution. These acts included the Revenue Act, the Indemnity Act, the Commissioners of Customs Act, the Vice Admiralty Court Act and the New York Restraining Act. There was protest from many of the colonists, so most of these taxes were eventually repealed. -
Boston Massacre
This was an event in Boston when British army soldiers shot and killed five civilians while being attacked by a mob. These killings were the cause for more rebellion against British soldiers during the Revolution and greatly increased tensions between Britain and the colonies. -
Tea Act
This was a tax placed on tea by Britain in the colonies to reduce the amount of tea that the British East India Company was in control of in London. -
Boston Tea Party
This was a protest in which the Sons of Liberty dumped an entire shipment of tea into the Boston Harbor. It was caused by the Tea Act, which was attacks placed on colonists for tea. -
Intolerable Acts
These acts were passed in response to the colonists' rebellion against Britain, and mainly the Boston Tea Party. For example, the Boston Port Act closed the port of Boston until all of the destroyed tea was paid for. Colonists' rights to self-governance were taken away, therefore, this was a major cause of the Revolution. -
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First Continental Congress
This was a meeting of representatives from 12 out of 13 colonies in Pennsylvania early during the Revolution. The meeting was a response to the Intolerable Acts passed by Britain after the colonies' rebellion. -
Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the cause of military conflict between Britain and the colonies. These were the first instances of fighting during the Revolutionary War. -
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Second Continental Congress
This was an annual convention of delegates from the thirteen colonies that began meeting in the spring of 1775. In contrast from the First Continental Congress, these meetings managed Colonial war efforts and were important in helping the colonies gain independence. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was written by the Second Continental Congress. -
Publishing of Common Sense
Common Sense was written by Thomas Paine and distributed within the colonies to argue for independence from Britain. It was published at the beginning of the American Revolution and influenced the thinking of many people.
