Events Leading to the American Revolution

Treaty of Paris

Feb 10, 1763

Treaty between England and France ending the French-Indian War, British gained control over 13 colonies

The Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

Parliament's first serious attempt to assert governmental authority over the colonies- imposed direct tax on every piece of printed paper used in British ruled colonies

Stamp Act Repealed

Feb 18, 1766

Protest led by Patrick Henry- "No taxation without representation"

Townshend Act

Jun 29, 1767

Series of acts passed by British Parliament which placed taxes on most items imported into American colonies

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

While guarding the Boston Customs House, British soldiers fired into an unarmed crowd after being taunted by Bostonians on street. 5 people were killed

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Protest against new tax on tea. Boston colonists dressed as Indians boarded three British vessels- threw 342 crates of tea overboard into Boston harbor

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

Delegates from all colonies except Georgia met in Philadelphia after Parliament passed Coersive Acts. Delegates drafted declaration of rights and grievances

Battles of Concord and Lexington

Apr 18, 1775

First battles of Revolutionary War after Paul Revere's famous ride "The shot heard around the world."

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

Delegates met as a result of first battles and decided to create a Continental Army. Majority still against complete break from English rule, George Washington elected supreme commander of colonies

"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine Published

Jan 9, 1776

Advocated independence for American colonies, one of the biggest influences of American Revolution

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Formal statement approved by Congress which declared colonies as free and independent states