Events Leading to the Revolutionary War

French & Indian War Ended

Feb 10, 1763

The British government began to tax colonists to pay for the war and to protect the colonies.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

Colonists had to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used.

Townshend Acts

Jun 29, 1767

These acts taxed things brought to the colonies from Great Britain, such as glass, lead, paint, paper and tea.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

This started with a snowball fight and ended with British soldiers killing 5 colonists. After this the British government lifted taxes on everything except tea.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

A group of colonists disguised themselves as Native Americans and dumped all the tea from 3 ships into the Boston Harbor.

Intolerable Acts

Jan 1, 1774

Because of the Boston Tea Party, the British officials passed a series of laws call the Intolerable Acts. One of these laws said that the Boston Harbor would be closed until the colonists paid for the tea that was damaged. Another law said that the colonists had to provide food and shelter for British troops.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

Patriot leaders met to talk about how to fix the problems with the British government. They decided to form an army in case war broke out.