-
French/Indian war
The French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Year War was fought between France and Britain due to France’s expansion into the Ohio River valley. This conflicted with the claims of the British colonies, especially Virginia. At the peace conference in 1763, the British received Canada and Florida, but allowed France to keep its West Indian sugar islands and gave Louisiana to Spain. History.com Staff. "French and Indian War." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 12 Sept. 2016. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act passed by the British Parliament was a new tax that made all American colonists pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used, in order to protect the American frontier. Things taxed included ship's papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, other publications, and even playing cards. A Summary of the 1765 Stamp Act." : The Colonial Williamsburg Official History & Citizenship Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2016. https://www.history.org/history/teaching/tchcrsta.cfm. -
Townshend act
Townshend Acts put tax on glass, lead, paints, paper and tea imported into the colonies. The hope was the acts would provide money to pay imperial expenses in the colonies, but it was viewed as an abuse of power, resulting in limited imports from Britain. In 1770, all the Townshend taxes were repealed except the tax on tea, leading to a temporary truce. History.com Staff. "Townshend Acts." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 12 Sept. 2016. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was the killings of five colonists by British troops. This was the start of the physical tensions between the two sides after the Stamp Act and Townshend. "What Was the Boston Massacre?" Boston Massacre Historical Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2016. http://www.bostonmassacre.net/. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act’s main purpose to bail out the floundering East India Company which took a great part in the British economy. The British government granted the company a large amount of control on the importation and sale of tea in the colonies. This Act only caused greater conflict between the two sides. History.com Staff. "Tea Act." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 12 Sept. 2016. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/tea-act. -
Boston Tea Party
In 1771, a group of colonists attacked merchant ships in Boston Harbor. This was in response to the tax on tea. The group was called the Sons of Liberty and were lead by Samuel Adams. They boarded three ships in the Boston harbor and threw 342 chests of tea overboard. The British closed the port, and inflicted harsh penalties. History.com Staff. "Boston Tea Party." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 12 Sept. 2016. -
Intolerable Acts
The response to the "Boston Tea Party" consisted of five Coercive Acts of 1774. The colonists called them the "Intolerable Acts." They consisted of the Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act, the Quartering Act and the Quebec Act. These acts made Colonists feel that the legislation violated their rights and built up towards war. "The Intolerable Acts - The American Revolution." The Intolerable Acts - The American Revolution. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2016. -
1st and 2nd Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was the government of the 13 American colonies. The First Continental Congress consisted of group of delegates from the colonies. They met in 1774 in reaction to the Intolerable Acts. In 1775, the Second Continental Congress convened after the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) had already begun. History.com Staff. "The Continental Congress." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2010. Web. 12 Sept. 2016. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord started the American Revolutionary War. Tension was growing in the colonies, especially in Massachusetts. British troops were sent to confiscate colonial weapons but were stopped to fight untrained colonists. Paul Revere warned the people that the red coats, but the British retreated from intense fire. This was the first of many battles History.com Staff. "Battles of Lexington and Concord." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 12 Sept. 2016. -
Publishing of Common Sense
Thomas Paine publishes his pamphlet “Common Sense,” giving his arguments in favor of American independence. Pamphlets were an popular source of information for the spread of ideas in the 16th through 19th centuries. This pamphlet united average citizens and political leaders to have a similar idea of independence, “Common Sense” played a large role in transforming the American Revolution. "Thomas Paine Publishes Common Sense." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2016.
