Causes of the American Revolution

Treaty of Paris (1763)

Feb 10, 1763

This treaty ended the French and Indian war, and removed the French Empire from North America giving the Spanish and the British all North American land except Haiti. The British won victoriously, claiming Canada, the Great Lakes country, the Ohio River valley, and Florida.

Proclamation Line of 1763

Oct 7, 1763

England prohibits the colonists to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains due to the fact that it would be to expensive to protect colonists. this causes the colonists to become infuriated and defy the law.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1764

This act required colonists to pay taxes on almost all printed goods. This includes books, newspapers, documents, contracts and land deeds. This is the first direct tax without consent of the colonists.

Sugar Act

Apr 5, 1764

This act was strictly enforced. This forced colonists to pay a tax on sugar and all sugar products to help pay off the debts of the war.

Tea Act

Apr 27, 1773

This act was created to save the East India Tea Company. The act lowered the price of tea gave the business more power over tea and threatened the buisness of colonial tea distributors. Although the tea was cheaper, the tax amount on the tea made it much more expensive.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Boston patriots dressed as indians and boarded three British ships carrying tea and duped the tea into the harbor as an act of rebellion to the British government. They believed the British were trying to rick them into paying a tax on the East India Company's tea.

Intolerable Acts

Mar 24, 1774

Also known as the Coercive Acts, these acts forced colonists to take in British troops. One act in the intolerable acts was the Quebec Act. This act expanded Canada's southern boarder, tking away claims on land that the colonists claimed. This led to violent outbreaks by the colonists of Massachusetts and forced courts of law to close. Colonists beat citizens who obeyed Parliament.

First Continental Congress Meets

Sep 5, 1774

Delegates from each colony (except Georgia) met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the first time. They were against the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts). Patrick Henry said "Give me liberty, or give me death." He also told the other delegates that there are no more distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders, "I am not a Virginian, but an American."

Decloration of Independance signed

Jul 4, 1776

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Decloration of Independance stated that the colonists had a natural right to independance. These were goals for the Patriots wanted accomplished.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Jun 17, 1783

With the help of the French, the colonists finally made Britain surrender. Britain finally recognized the colonists independance and granted generous boundries. This seperates the colonists away Britain to create their own country- the United States of America.