Events leading to the Revolutionary War

The French and Indian War

Period: 1754 to 1763

A war fought between Britan and France in which many Namtive Americans sided with the french. The war was a great finacial burden to England and the colonies were late expected to pay part of this in the form of new taxes. source

The Proclamation of 1763

Oct 7, 1763

This proclamation forbid settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. Colonists didn't like that. Source

The Stamp Act is passed

Feb 17, 1765

A tax on the colonies to pay for the British military. Colonists didn't like paying taxes without a say in the rules. Source

The Quartering Act

Mar 24, 1765

The king of England said that colonists had to let the British soldiers stay with them and had to feed the soldiers. Source

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

Five colonists were killed by British soldiers. The other colonists REALLY didn't like that. source

The Boston Tea Party

Dec 6, 1774

There was a tax on tea. Tea was a very popular drink in 1774. To protest what was happening with the British taxes, some colonists threw the tea off of 3 ships into Boston Harbor. Source

Lexington and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

This is the start of the real fighting. It is sometimes known as "The shot heard round the world." No one knows who fired the shot though.