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The French and Indian War
The British declare war on the French to gain territory west of the Appalachian mountains. Ben Franklin creates the Albany Plan of Union to persuade the colonists to work together. The war lead to a massive English debt.//http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/frin.htm' >Us history.org</a> -
Proclamation of 1763
By the order of his majesty, King George III, the colonists are not allowed to settle west of the Appalachian mountains. The colonists are furious, saying that they won the war against the French, and the they should be able to settle where they want. -
Sugar Act
England is in massive debt, and the brilliant King George III decides to put a tax on sugar and other sweet things to pay off the debt. This makes the colonists mad. They start boycotting the tax, and James Otis comes up with the phrase "taxation without representation is tyranny!", which later becomes the battle cry of the revolution. -
Stamp Act
Still in debt, King George III decides to tax paper goods, such as wills, contracts, and newspapers. In response to this tax, the colonists decide to burn the pieces of stamped paper. King George III decides that this tax was not a good idea, as he repeals it later. -
Quatering Act
Aalst, the very generous King George III decides that his British troops need a place to stay in the colonies. Deciding that he does not want to spend any more of England’s money, he makes the colonists house his troops. In response, the colonists simply don’t allow the "lobster backs" in their homes. -
Townshend Act
Still in debt, the now very stressed out King George III decides to add another act to the already long list, the Townshend act. The Townshend act taxes imports including lead, glass, and other goods that the colonists need. The Townshend act also leads to the Writs of Assistance, a document allowing British authorities to search colonists homes and ships. The colonists start smuggling goods to avoid paying taxes. -
Boston Massacre
Tensions are high between the colonists and British soldiers, and on March 5th, 1770, they reach a boiling point. A rowdy mob of colonists are roaming the streets, and the quick thinking Captain Thomas Preston deploys his soldiers to bring order to the mob. The angry colonists start throwing snowballs and clubs at the soldiers, and they taunt them, telling them to "fire". Then, the soldiers open fire, killing 5, and wounding 6. -
Tea Act
King George III, loving his tea, and being loyal to his brand, the British East India Company, says that all tea shall be bought from the British East India Company, and that colonists must pay 3 pence a pound of tea. In response, the colonists start planning for the Boston tea party. -
The Boston Tea party
Now forced to only buy British East India company tea, 116 colonists dressed up like Indians decide to turn the Boston harbor into a tea pot by throwing 342 crates of British East India tea into Griffins wharf. Over 5,000 colonists showed up to watch €10,000 (an equivalent of $1,000,000 in today’s money) of tea destroyed. -
Intolerable or Coercive Acts
In response to the Boston Tea Party, the now very angry King George III creates the Coercive acts, the colonists call them the Intolerable acts. The Coercive act states that the Boston harbor is closed until the tea destroyed in the Boston tea party is paid for, all town meetings are now outlawed, and the quartering act is strengthened. -
The Midnight Ride
The Regulars are coming! After receiving a tip off from British loyalists, British troops begin their march towards Lexington to seize smuggled weapons being housed by patriots. During the later hours of April 18th, Billy Dawes sets out to warn colonists that the British are coming. Later, Paul Revere sees two lamps in the Old North Church indicating that the British are coming by sea. Paul Revere begins his ride, warning that the Regulars are coming. -
Midnight Ride Part 2
During the early hours of April 19th, Paul Revere and Billy Dawes are captured by a passing British Patrol. Sam Prescott continues the ride from Lexington to Concord M.A. -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
//http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-lexington-and-concord' >Battle of Lexington and Concord</a>
On April 19th, 1775, British troops are heading towards Concord to seize smuggled weapons, but are stopped by the Massachusetts militia. Over 100 well trained British soldiers face off against around 60 rag-tag militia men. Although 8 militia men were killed during the battle, the Revolutionary has begun. After 12 years of unfair taxation, the war for a place to call our own has finally begun.
