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French and Indian War
The French built Fort Duquesne in the Ohio River even though the Virginia Government had given them land else where. William Pitt was selected as a leader to run the government and the British started to win battles and gain alliances with the Native Americans. In September of 1759, the British won Quebec, initiating victory. In 1763, the Treaty of Paris was signed.
Danzer, Gerald A. The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2005. Print. -
The Sugar Act
King George III appointed George Grenville as prime minister in 1763. Grenville noticed that the customs service in the colonies was losing money, which he thought there was smuggling.The Sugar Act lowered the tax on molasses, placed taxes on imported goods that have not been taxed before, and it provided that colonists be tried in a vice admiralty court than a colonial one.
Danzer, Gerald A. The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2005. Print. -
The Stamp Act
In March 1765, Parliament passed the Stamp Act, which imposed taxes on documents and printed items. It affected colonists directly because it was levied on goods and services. In May 1765 shopkeepers, artisans, and laborers organized a secret group called Sons of Liberty. The products were boycotted. Parliament also passed the Declaratory Act and the Townshed Acts on the same day.
Danzer, Gerald A. The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2005. Print. -
Townshed Acts
In 1767, Parliament passed the Townshed Acts. The Townshed Acts imposed taxes on goods that were imported to the colonies from Britain, such as glass, lead, paint, and paper. It also taxed tea. Samuel Adams, who was one of the founders of the Sons of Liberty, started another boycott against British goods.
Danzer, Gerald A. The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2005. Print. -
Boston Massacre
On March 5, 1770, a mob of colonists gathered in front of the Boston Customs House and started to taunt the British Soldiers that were outside. Shots were fired and five colonists were killed, including Crispus Attucks. Lord Fredrick North realized that the Townshed Acts were not bringing in money. North persuaded Parliament to get rid of the Townshed Acts, except for the tea tax
Danzer, Gerald A. The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2005. Print. -
Boston Tea Party
Lord North made the Tea Act in order to save the British East India Company from bankruptcy. It enabled the company to sell tea to the colonies without tax. North hoped the colonists would buy this cheaper tea. Boston rebels dressed themselves as Natives and dumped 18,000 pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor.
Danzer, Gerald A. The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2005. Print. -
Intolerable Acts
Parliament made the Intolerable Acts after King George III forced Parliament. The laws shut down the Boston Harbor, the Quartering Act allowed British commanders to keep soldiers in empty places or any buildings they wanted. General Thomas Gage was appointed as the new governor of Massachusetts. He placed Boston under martial law to keep the peace.
Danzer, Gerald A. The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2005. Print. -
1st Continental Congress
In response to Britain, 56 delegates met in Philadelphia and came up with a declaration of colonial rights. They stated they had the right to their own affairs and if the British would start fights, the colonies would fight back. Minutemen were a result of the 1st Continental Congress.
Danzer, Gerald A. The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2005. Print. -
Lexington and Concord
On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere announced that the British were headed to Concord. The British cam across minutemen, the minutemen refused to put down their weapons, then shots were fired. The British marched to Concord where they found an empty arsenal, so they marched back to Lexington, where they were slaughtered.
Danzer, Gerald A. The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2005. Print. -
2nd Continental Congress
Colonial leaders called for a Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Many delegates wanted to declare independence, but those who were loyal to Great Britain wanted to reconcile. However, they both agreed that the colonial militia will be recognized as the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as their commander.
Danzer, Gerald A. The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2005. Print. -
Publishing Common Sense
Thomas Paine attacked King George through his pamphlet Common Sense. He explained that Lexington and Concord started his his revolt towards the king. He declared that independence would help America trade freely and it would help American colonists create a better society. In 1776 common Sense was applauded and sold nearly 500,000 copies.
Danzer, Gerald A. The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2005. Print.
