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The Albany Congress
The colonies tried to organize themselves into an orderly militia, but most of he colonies were fueding or too "proud" to work together, however, in June of 1754, congress met in New York to try and mold the colonies together as one and to also work together with the Iroqouis to defeat the French. This is significant because this was the first step to organiziation within the seperate colonies. This helped the colonies to consider themselves as a whole instead of 13 divided pieces. -
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Events Leading to The Declaration of Independence
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The French and Indian War (The Seven Years War)
The Seven Years war was vital in the shaping the formation of the Declaration of Independence because it ended the salutory neglect of England to the colonies. This caused an awareness and yearning for freedom and responsibility, without the help of England, throughout the colonies. -
The Proclamation of 1763
This proclamation was made for the colonies by Britain in order to deter colonial expansion to the West. This proclamation also stated the exsistance of 4 new colonies: Quebec, East and West Florida, and Grenada. The British claimed that the threat of indan attack was the reason for this law, yet some colonists were wary to accept this as the truth. This event is significant because it was the precoursor to other outlandish laws made by the British in order to tame and deter the colonists. -
The Stamp Act
This tax was placed on all paper products and special items with the British seal on them. This tax was significant to the formation of the Declaration of Independence because Americans were beginning to question their British decendants and urge them for greater lead way so that they could properly expand. This event in particular started the popular saying of "no taxation without representation." -
The Quartering Act
This act infringed upon Americans personally due to the demand that all soldiers were to be accepted willingly into the barricades, which often ended up being homes, of Americans during times of war. This act was significant in the creation of free thought by the colonists which enabled them to realize that Britain was taking advantage of them without giving them a second tought. This situation only worsened American views towards the British and caused greater span of uprising. -
The Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress was a group of representatives from each of the colonies who wanted to convince England to abort recent taxes that were put into place, and to also request representation by votes so that they could have a more fair government system. These requests were promptly ignored by England. This is significant because this event shows how badly the colonists worked to try to compromise with England, only to be denied of their rights and opressed. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre is one of the most infamous events in history. It began in Boston when a group of patriots were throwing snowballs and insulting a group of British soldiers. This rebelliousness startled the guards so badly that they opened fire into the crowd that was gathered around them, which killed 5 people and wounded 6. This act of unecessary violence shows how inept and incapable of fighting the current British soldiers were. This event also stirred fear and anger amoung the colonies. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was another infamous act during the beginning of the American Revolution. This is where a group of colonists from Boston dressed as indians and snuck unto three shipping vessels in order to throw all of the tea over board in protst of the Tea Act. The Tea Act actually allowed the purchase of cheaper tea, however, the colonists still weren't getting properly represented in government. This was a major event because this violent protest was the the thing that started revolt.
