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French and Indian War
The cause of the war was England and France were fighting over land in the Americas. The French and British are fighting for global power and both countries and land hungry. George W. attacked a group of French soldiers in the Ohio river valley and sparked the war. This is known as the Seven Year war. The war was ended with the Treaty of Paris in which France agreed to leave to leave America. Britain overall was the winner but the colonists and Indians also benefit from this win. -
Proclamation of 1763
This was a document that gave Indians land west of the Appalachians. This satisfied both the colonist and the Indians. The Indians could have their own land without being bothered. The colonist no longer had to fight over land with the Indians and they kept their access to the ocean. -
The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was put into place to lower the tax from the Molasses Act. England wanted to lower the tax to make colonist buy from them.The colonist did not agree with this tax and boycotted the English goods. -
Stamp Act
George Grenville was the prime minister of Britain at the time and headed up the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act was placed on the colonist to help pay off English War debt from the seven year war. Anything manufactured using paper product was taxed through this act. The colonist believed the shouldn't be taxed without representation in parliament. -
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Stamp Act Congress
Representatives from nine colonies came together in New York City. In this meeting they came up with a Declaration of Rights and Grievances. They wanted to let England know how hey felt and held this meeting to formally write up this Declaration. In return the ENglish passed the Declaratory Act which cut taxes but said that Britain was still in charge. -
Declaratory Act
This act repealed the Stamp Act. This Act also said that Britain has the same powers in the colonies as is does in Great Britain. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts are created by Charles Townshend. The Townshend acts were made to regulate revenue from the colonies and put a tax on goods such as glass, paper, paint, lead and tea. The writs of assistance are also renewed through this act. This gave Britain the right to search your home freely. The colonist were very angry about all the rules and taxes from England. -
Boston Massacre
- On March 5 in the evening a group of colonist surround a group of British soldiers.
- One soldier panics and fires into the crowd followed by several more shots.
- This resulted in 5 deaths. The Boston Massacre is where the first casualties of the war took place.
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Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was led by Samuel adams and his Sons of Liberty. The Sons of Liberty were mad because of the recent English acts, such as the Sugar Act.
-On the night of Dec. 16 the Sons of Liberty dressed as Natives and boarded a English ship in the Boston Harbor.
-Once on board they dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor.
In reaction to this event the British shut down the Boston Harbor through the intolerable act. -
Intolerable Act
Massachusetts was affected the most by the intolerable acts. Their government was revoked and the Boston Harbor was shut down. Another part of these acts protected British officials. These acts tried to recompose the strict British control over the colonies. The colonist hated these laws -
Quebec Act
This act set procedure for the governing of Quebec. The British wanted to meet the needs of he people in Quebec. Gave French complete religious freedom. This Act created more resentment for the British in the colonies. -
The First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a meeting where 12 representatives of the 13 colonies met together. Georgia was the only colony not represented in this meeting. This congress took place in Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In this congress they decided how to handle the problem with the British. -
Lexington and Concord
The British are going after Samuel Adams and other rebels. The also heard of hidden colonial stockpile of guns that they were going after. When the redcoats reach Lexington 70 minute men are waiting for them along with other colonist. The result was for the colonists was 49 killed and 39 were wounded. For the British, 73 were killed, 174 were wounded, and 26 were missing. The first shot of this battle was "the shot heard round the world." The beginning of the Revolutionary war. -
Second Continental Congress
Delegates from all thirteen colonies attended this meeting including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, and Benjamin Franklin. The Second Continental Congress, which met in Philadelphia, moved more toward gaining independence from England. They also discussed the issue of Lexington and Concord. George Washington is made the leader of the Continental Army. The Declaration of the causes and necessity of taking up arms and the Olive Branch petition. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
This battle was fought in Charlestown, Boston, MA on Bunker Hill. The British run the colonist out of their fort on Breed's Hill and on top Bunker Hill. The colonist ran out of gunpowder and had to give in. The British won this battle but mentally he colonist had won. This battle showed that the colonies had what it took to fight the British. -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine wrote the pamphlet common sense to try and convince the colonist to gain independence from England. Instead of peacefully settling their differences Thomas Paine said they need to fight the British for their Independence. This Pamphlet was a huge piece of propaganda that contributed to the Independence of America. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson. It was officially approved and signed on July 4, 1776. This Document officially broke ties with England. It also talking about inalienable rights,unfair laws, and England's violation of the social contract. The colonist were glad to finally be independent.
