Events Leading to The American Revolution

Navigation Acts

1651

These acts were passed in 1651 to help Britain obtain all and any foreign good that they would need. It restricted trade to England and have them more power over the trade.

French and Indian War Ends

1763

England and her colonies defeated France and Native American allies. British treasury drained. Britain thought colonists should pay their share.

Stamp Act

1765

As a result of all the actions of the American towards the British, they put a tax on all papers, documents, and more.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

British soldiers in Boston we’re being harassed and mistreated by a large group of Colonists. The soldiers shot and killed five of them. Because of this, many of the other colonies started to dislike Britain, which eventually would play a big role in the American Revolution.

Tea Act

1773

This was passed on 1773, and it essentially gave the British control over all the tea.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

The British were taxing tea. The colonists were mad, and protested. They dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. This was one of the first steps into the American Revolution.

Coercive/Intolerable Acts

Mar 31, 1774

The acts were laws and restrictions put on some of the colonies by the British as a result of the Boston Tea Party. It closed the harbors, and as a result caused a lot of issues with the harbor and ships getting stuck and jammed. Ended June 2, 1774.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

The first Continental Congress took place to protest or boycott the British taxes and goods placed on the Americans and colonists.

Second Continental Congress

1775

The second Continental Congress took place about a month after the battles of Lexington and Concord, and they were preparing for a war.

Lexington and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

The British caused the battles as they attempted to steal weapons from the town of Concord, and capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock from the town of Lexington. This is significant as this was the first official military battle, starting the American Revolution.

Adoption of the Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in July of 1776, but delegates didn’t begin signing it until a month later, on August 2, 1776.

Battle of Saratoga

Sep 19, 1777

Britain wanted to invade New England from Canada. The Continental Army won against the British. This put their name out there and made them more well known as they had defeated one of the strongest world powers at the time. Ended October 7th, 1777.

Winter at Valley Forge

Dec 19, 1777

The British stole supplies and burned a few buildings, which lead to George Washington to step in with his army. The Continental Army won against the British, giving them independence for the remainder of the war.

Battle of Yorktown

Sep 28, 1781

British troops went to Yorktown to wait for reinforcements and more supplies from Britain. The Colonists and French attacked, and winning over Yorktown. Ended on October 19, 1781.

U.S. Constitution written

1787

The U.S. Constitution was written to give to people a better life and government.

Adoption of The U.S. Constitution

Mar 9, 1789

On June 22, 1788, Congress decided to adopt the Constitution. It wasn’t until in March of next year that it had actually taken affect. This gave the American people another piece of the government they wanted.