Key Events Leading to American Independence

Stamp Act Congress

Oct 19, 1765

In response to the recently-passed Stamp Act, colonial delegates decided that only the colonial assemblies themselves had the right to tax Americans.

Townshend Acts

Jun 29, 1767

taxed glass, lead, paint, paper, and paint entering the colonies, the profits from which were to be used to pay salaries of the royal colonial governers

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

When an unruly mob of colonists taunted a patrol of British troops with rocks and snowballs, redcoats fired back in an episode of chaos and confusion that supposedly commenced after the guards heard the order to fire.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

In response to the Tea Act passed earlier that year, angry Bostonian colonists masqueraded as Indians and tossed hundreds of chests of British tea overboard three vessels.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

Prepared for possible British retaliation for Colonial resistence to taxed imports, delegates called upon all colonies to raise and train local militias.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

Raised armies, directed strategy, appointed diplomats, and adopted the Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Proclaimed American independence from Britain and listed grievances as evidence of George III's tyranny

Articles of Confederation

Mar 1, 1781

Intended to severely limit the power of the central government, these articles only made the new country a confusing place. Congress had no power to tax, raise troops, regulate interstate commerce, &c, and Americans were unsure how to effectively divide power.

Treaty of Paris

Sep 3, 1783

The British recognized American independence and defined the borders of the United States as along Canada to the north, the Mississippi to the west, and Spanish Florida to the south.