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The French and Indian War
PBS: The French and Indian WarThe American Portion of the larger Seven Years’, the French and Indian war pitted the European Superpowers, England, France, and Spain, against each other as each sough to emerge victorious and crush the other two. Though not a hostility related to the revolution, many actions, such as the Proclamation of 1763, the Stamp Act, etc., were put in place as a result of the war in an attempt by the British to recuperate losses and protect new territory. -
The Albany Congress
Delegates from several of the colonies convened in Albany, New York to discuss and negotiate the possibility of forming an alliance with 150 Iroquois chiefs. At the Albany Congress, Benjanin Franklin also presented his plan for a unified defense of the colonies during the French and Indian War. Although neither of these plans came to fruition, the Albany Congress remains an important milestone as it marks the first plan for a unified American colonies, rather than 13 autonomous states. -
The Proclamation of 1763
Following the French and Indian War, the victorious British felt the need to recuperate their monetary lossed, protect their new territory, and end the policy of Benigh Neglect by expaned more government regulation to the American Colonies. The Proclamation of 1763, which was specifically meant to appesae the native americans, was the first in a series of several acts regulating the colonies and declared that no colonial people could settle past the Appalachian Mountains. -
The Sugar Act
An attempt to crackdown on the smuggling of Sugar into the colonies, the Sugar Act lowered taxes on Sugar in an attempt to make the benefits of smuggling lower. Additionally, the Sugar Act instructed British Navy personnell in the colonies to take on a more active role in cracking down on smuggling. Despite the fact that the Sugar Act actually lowered taxes, many colonists were angered by the increased British intervention in their affairs. -
The Currency Act
During the years of benign neglect, each colony had been forced by necessity to print their own money for local commerce and economic activities. Following the French and Indian War, the British found this completely unacceptable and the Currency Act, which banned colonies from printing their own money and gave the British government centralized control of the colonial economy. -
The Stamp Act
The largest and most angering act implemented by Prime Minister George Grenville, the Stamp Act required the purchase of a "stamp" showing that a tax ("duty") to the British government had been paid for nearly all business that occurred in the Colonies. -
The Quartering Act
The British government sent soldiers to the colonies to enforce the new laws, but were faced with a serious shortage of housing for them. As a result, the parliament passed the quartering act, which forced colonists to provide room and board to soldiers for no compensation. This act so angered American colonists that a provision against it can be found in the American Constitution. -
No Taxation without Represntation
Following the Stamp Act, the Colonist were angered greatly and on the verge of dissent. Indeed, the Stamp Act Congress in October could even be viewed as such. The Virginians went so far as the pass the Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions, in which they refused to enforce the Stamp Act. -
The Townshend Revenue Act
Another attempt to help pay for Britain's massive debt, the Towshend Revenue Act raised taxes on glass, paint, lead, tea, and paper. Far from the desired effect, the result was merely to rebirth of the same hostilities that had followed the Stamp Act. -
The Non-Importation Agreements
The Boston Non-Importation Agreement, and its New York counterpart, was an agreement between local merchants and traders to buy and produce locally rather that import from Great Britain. Its purpose was similar to that of the movement of the Daughters of Liberty -
The Boston Massacre
More of fight than a massacre, the Boston Massacre ocurred between hostile colonists and British military members. Responding to taunting by locals, members of the military opened fire, killing three on the spot and wounding eight, two later died of injuries. Though not a massive event, rebel supporters quickly latched onto this as more reason for dissent. -
The Tea Act
Not even a tax, the Tea Act was an attempt to prop up the floundering East India Tea Company by allowing them to bypass british customs duties and sell their tea at bargain prices in the colonies. The colonists, however, felt that this an attempt to buy popular support for their previous unpopular acts. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a direct colonial response to the the Tea Act. Rebels, led by the Sons of Liberty, dressed as Native Americans and met in the middle of the night to throw tea off of three East India Company ships that Gov. Hutchinson had allowed to enter into Boston Harbor. -
The Intolerable Acts (Coersive Acts)
Passed in response to the Boston Tea Party, the intolerable acts included the Boston Port Act, which closed Boston Harbor, the Massachusets Government Act, which banned public meeting and assemblies, The Administration of Justice Act, which allowed royal officials to be tried for crimed in England, a new version of the Quartering Act, and the Quebec Act. -
The First Continental Congress
The First Continntal Congress convened in Carpenter's Hall in Philadephia with delegates present from 12 of the 13 colonies (Georgia was absent). Though all colonies were united in their desire to show power against Great Britain, opinions on what should be done varied wildly and little was actually accomplished substansively. However, they did issue the Declaraion of Resolves, which included a Colonial Bill of Rights and a list of grievances. -
"Give me liberty of give me death"
Give Me Liberty of Give Me Death Speech (Reenactment) Stated that there was "no room for peace and reconciliation." -
The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere (and William Dawes)
Reading of Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Paul Revere rides to warn colonists and alert militia "minutemen" that the British are coming to attempt to sieze Militia-held arms and ammunition in Concord and to take John Hancock and Samuel Admas into custody. -
The Shot Heard Around the World (Lexington and Concord)
"Shot Heard 'Round the World" (Schoolhouse Rock)The British march in attempt to seize rebel arms and ammunition stored in Concord and to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock, but are met with rebel opposition in Lexington. Though it is not even known which side first fired, and the Americans were quickly defeated, this was the event that started the revolution.
