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The French and Indian War - Begins
Took place in North America between the British and the French. The French had been defeated, but sent the British Empire into heavy debt. They planned to tax the colonies to pay for the war. -
The French and Indian War - Ends
The war officially ends with the signing of the Treaty of Paris -
Proclamation of 1763
Officials in London used the Appalachian Mountains to create a guideline which the colonies could not expand beyond. The British wanted to avoid war with the Indians, but this only angered the colonists. -
The Sugar Act
Looking for ways to pay off the war bill, a tax was created against sugar. -
The Currecny Act
The colonies faced a constant shortage of currency. So, Parliament in Britain decided to assume control of the colonial currency system. They abolished the use of the old currency which the colonist favoured. -
The Stamp Act
If you did not have a specially stamped paper on an item, they would be seized. You would then be tried without a jury and could face being fined or jailed. -
The Declaratory Act
Stated that governments had the power to make laws for the colonists. Colonists did not want their lives run by others. -
The Townshend Revenue Act
Custom duties were placed on goods coming from Britain to the colonies. Colonists boycotted British goods, and this worked. British merchants lost customers and colonial merchants improved. -
The Boston Massacre
One night, a group of redcoats had been pelted with snowballs. In their confusion, the Britishers began firing and killed 5 colonists. This was advertised as a "massacre" by Sam Adams. -
The Tea Act
All tea that was going to the colonies would now be done by the East India Company. Colonists knew this would undercut the local merchants, as EIC planned to sell it at a bargain price. -
The Boston Tea Party
A group of towns people lead by Sam Adams dressed up as Indians and boarded tea ships in Boston Harbour. They then threw over 342 chests of tea. -
Boston Port Act
In response to the BTP, the port of Boston had been closed until EIC was repaid for the destroyed tea. -
Administration of Justice Act
Allowed the governor to move trials of royal officials to Britain or other colonies if he felt that the official could receive one in Massachusetts. Witnesses were paid for travel expenses but in reality not many could afford to leave work, to testify. -
Massachusetts Government Act
Put Massachusetts under the control of the British government. All colonial government positions would be appointed by the governor or the king. Also limited town meetings to one per year, until the governor called for one. Colonists outside of Massachusetts feared that the same would happen to them. -
Quartering Act
Allowed a governor to allow soldiers to live in other buildings if suitable locations were not provided, by the colonies. -
Quebec Act
Enlarged the boundaries of Quebec and had reforms that favoured French Catholics. Many colonists feared that the French-Canadians were being courted to help oppress against the British Americans. -
American Revolution - Begins
The war begins with the Battles of Lexington and Concord