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French and Indian war
The seven year war was waged over the Ohio River Valley. This valley was controlled by Natives and the French but the British wanted it for farmland and the fur. Governor Dinwiddie told the French to leave but the French denied the demands and rallied the Natives against the British. George Washington took the first shot and in the end the British won getting the land and glory. -
The Proclamation Line of 1763
After the French and Indian war the British Made a border. This border was the Appalachian Mountains. On one side was the colonists, on the other side was angry Native Americans. The British was in so much debt from the French and Indian war that they couldn't afford to feud with the Native Americans, this move inflamed tension between England and the colonists because the colonists gave their lives for that land and they can't have it. -
Sugar Act
The British Parliament passed the sugar act. This act placed a tax on wine and rum. This was another one of the British attempt to pay off the French and Indian war debt. The phrase that arises from this was "No Taxation Without Representation" this comes from the people not having a say in the tax. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was created to pay off French and Indian war debt . This forced colonists to buy a stamp for paper goods. This stamp showed they payed tax on that item. The items the stamp was placed on newspapers, almanacs, and even playing cards. -
Townshend Acts
This act was created to eliminate debt and show Britain had power over the colonies. This put tax on imported goods like paper, paint, glass, and tea. In the colonies the people would hold public demonstrations to express their disapproval of the acts since they had no representation in government. Things became so drastic that the colonists started to smuggle items into the colonies. All the taxes were stopped except the tax on tea. -
Boston Massecre
In the streets a large group of colonists rallied around eight British soldiers. The colonists were insulting them and throwing sticks, snow balls, stones, and clam shells. The colonists were also yelling "fire!" at The troops. Then the troops fired leaving five colonists dead and others injured. The troops went to trial and the commander and his men were found not guilty. -
Committees of Correspondence
Samuel Adams was the leader of this group. The group was formed to share information throughout the colonies. They discussed the mounting issues from Britain. This group was important because it was the first attempt to maintain communications with all the colonies. -
The Tea Act/Boston Tea Party
This act made colonists buy only one type of taxed tea. England made the act to relieve the East India company's debt. On the 16th around 60 colonists boarded a ship dressed as Natives and dumped tea in to the the Boston harbor. Then right after they swept the ship and left the ship unharmed. -
Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)
These acts were punishment for the Boston tea party. The acts first closed the Boston Harbor to all ships and shipments, this closed stores and ended peoples jobs. Then the acts made it so British soldiers would go to England for trial and would get an unfair trial, another act was the Quartering act which forced colonist to feed and house British troops with no say in it. The last punishment was the closing of town meetings, this made it so the people had no say in government at all. -
The First Continental Congress
Representatives from all but one colony to discuss issues and work out solutions. The one colony that wasn't there was Georgia, they needed help from Britain to fend off the angry Natives but they would stand by the meetings decision whatever it may be. The group was threatening to stop exporting goods to England if their demands weren't met. The significance of this group was that it was the first time that the colonies came together to fight for a common cause. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
At the town of Green 70 Militia Men lined up against 700 Redcoats John Parker the commander of the Militia Men said "stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have war let it begin here." Then unexpectedly "the shot heard 'round the world rang out this caused British to fire and left 8 men dead. The troops moved to Lexington where 2000 Militia Men lined up against the Red Coat leaving 250 British dead and the rest were drove to Boston.
