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The French and Indian War Ends
The French and Indian War was a war fought from 1753 to 1763 in which Britain and its colonies defeated France and its Indian allies, gaining control of eastern North Amercia. -
The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act lowered the duty on foreign molasses. It also assigned customs officers and created courts to collect the duties and prosecute smugglers. They would hope that these measures would encourage colonists to pay the tax. -
The Stamp Act
This required colonists to pay a tax on almost all printed materials, including newspapers, books, documents, contracts, and land deeds. This was the first time Parliament put a direct tax on the colonies. -
Quartering Act
The Quarting Act required the colonies to provide housing and supplies for the British troops stationed there after the French and Indian war. Colonists complained, but went along with it because they accepted Parliament's right to regulate trade and provide for defense. -
Patrick Henry's "If This Be Treason" speech
Patrick Henry's famous quote, “give me liberty, or give me death!” concluded his “If This Be Treason” speech and help stir up the passions of the colonists. -
Declaratory Act
This act repealed the Stamp Act but British still had full power and authority of the Parliament. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were the series of laws named after Charles Townshend. These laws placed new taxes on glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea. The Colonist reacted to these taxes was the same as to the Sugar Act and Stamp Act. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was the murder of five colonists by British soldiers. They were there to enforce the heavy taxes. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act was created to save the East India Tea Company, it lowered the price of tea but gave the company a monopoly and threatened the business of colonial importers. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a direct action by colonists in Boston, Massachusetts, against the British government that controlled all the tea imported into the colonies. The colonists were against tthe British trying to use them for profit. After officials in Boston refused to return three shiploads of taxed tea to Britain, a group of colonists boarded the ships and destroyed the tea by throwing it in the harbor -
1st Continental Congress
The 1st Continental Congress was a convention of delagates from 12 colonies. There were 55 members that met in response to the passage of the Coercive acts by Parliament. It was held in Carpenters Hall in Philadelphia. -
Coercive Act
The delegates announced a boy-cott of all british imports. Throughout the colonies, the Patriots established local committees and provincial congresses to enforce the boybotts. -
Quebec Act
Quebec act was passed by the British Parliament to mantain permanent power in Canada replacing the temporary government created at the time of the Proclamation of 1763. It gave the French Canadians complete religious freedom and restored the French form of civil law. -
Battle of Lexington/Concord
British General Thomas Gage sent 700 soldiers to destroy guns and ammunition the colonists had stored in the town of Concord, just outside of Boston. They also planned to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock, two of the key leaders of the patriot movement. When the British got there they were astonished to see millita standing, waiting for them. When they went back to concord they were surprised to find 4000 patroits armed, they prevailed and won. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
During the Battle of Bunker Hill the British won but sustained heavy deaths It was a big boost for the Americans, it convinced us that we actually had a chance against the British
