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French and Indian War
Competition for land led to a war between rivals France and England. The Native Americans helped the French, while the colonists aided the British. The main sight of the conflict was the Ohio River valley. After many early defeats, the British went on to win the war. The Treaty of Paris ended the war in 1763. Picture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_and_Indian_War -
The Stamp Act
This act, passed by the British Parliament, imposed tax on documents and printed items (wills, newspapers, playing cards, etc.). It was the first tax that affected colonists directly. In May 1765, many colonists united to defy the law. In October of the same year, merchants boycotted the law. Parliament finally repealed the act in March 1766. Picture: http://jngu10.tripod.com/id4.html -
Townshend Acts
The British Parliament passed these acts to tax items such as glass, lead, paints, paper and tea. The British also stationed troopers at major colonial ports to protect the officers. Colonists protest the acts using the slogan "taxation without representation" and start to organize new boycotts of the taxed goods. All the acts were eventually repealed, except for the one on tea. Picture: http://741393394367278802.weebly.com/townshend-act.html -
Boston Massacre
A mob gathered in front of the Bostons Custom House to taunt the British soldiers standing guard, and the British fired into the crowd. Five colonists were killed or mortally wounded. The colonists were quick to name the event, and the massacre caused the colonists to be even angrier at the British. Picture: https://www.britannica.com/event/Boston-Massacre -
The Tea Act
The British Parliament passed this act to try and save the nearly bankrupt British East India Company. The act allowed the company to sell to the colonists without the taxes that colonists had to pay. The British were hoping the colonists would go for the cheaper tea, but they resisted because colonist merchants were cut out of the trade. Picture: http://americanrevolutionhh.weebly.com/tea-act.html -
Boston Tea Party
On this night, a large group of rebels from Boston (the Sons of Liberty) disguised themselves as Native Americans and boarded three British ships. They proceeded to dump 18,000 pounds of tea from the East India Company into the harbor, as a protest to the Tea Act. Picture: http://b-womeninamericanhistory18.blogspot.com/2013/08/1773-revolution-rising-boston-tea-party.html -
The Intolerable Acts
King George III, infuriated from the Boston Tea Party, pressed Parliament to pass acts. Parliament responded by passing acts that shut down the Boston Harbor, authorized British commanders to allow soldiers to live in vacant homes and buildings, and appointed British general Thomas Gage governor of Massachusetts. Picture: https://www.landofthebrave.info/intolerable-acts.htm -
The First Continental Congress
The colonists formed this congress in response to the Intolerable Acts. They defended the colonists' right to run their own affairs and stated that the colonies should fight back if the British used force against them. After the Congress, many New England towns increased their military preparations. Picture: http://althistory.wikia.com/wiki/Continental_Congress_(September_11,_1777) -
Lexington and Concord
On the night of April 18, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott told everyone that British troops were headed straight for Concord. The British reached Lexington (5 miles from Concord) early the next day, and were ambushed by minutemen. The British easily moved on, but when they got to Concord, hundreds of soldiers ambushed them. British soldiers fell by the dozen and retreated to Boston that night. Picture: http://americanmilitaryhistorypodcast.com/battle-of-lexington-and-concord/ -
The Second Continental Congress
Colonists called this meeting to try and figure out their next move after the fighting at Lexington and Concord. The colonists were divided, as some called for independence while others called for reconciliation with the British. The Congress did come together to recognize the militia as the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as its commander. Picture: https://sites.google.com/a/masdstudent.org/america-s-path-to-independence/1775---the-second-continental-congress -
The Publishing of Common Sense
Common Sense was a 50-page pamphlet, written by Thomas Paine, that attacked King George III and his monarchy. Paine also stated how freedom would greatly improve the colonists' way of living. Over 500,000 copies sold in 1776, with people such as George Washington complimenting the work. Picture: http://www.history2u.com/common_sense.htm
