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Proclamation of 1763
It was issued by king George to forbid the settlement in the west of Appalachian mountains. It was the first measure to affect all thirteen colonies. Hearing this the colonists became upset and some colonists already settled in the west anyway. -
Sugar Act
The sugar act was passed by the British government to get revenue from the colonists and set a direct tax on sugar and molasses which affected the production of rum. The colonists were disagreeing about the colonies should be taxed. They took action against the act and boycotted British products. -
Stamp act
It reached to the colonists in May, 1765. This act required the colonists to purchase special stamped paper for every legal document, license, news paper, pamphlet and almanac and imposed "special stamp" duties on packages of playing cards and dice. Colonists who disobeyed the law were to be tried in the vice-admiralty courts, where convictions were probable. The colonists gathered in their defiance. The colonists protested against this act by uniting a group named "sons of liberty". -
Quartering Act
These act was to provide the British soldiers with any needed accommodations and housing. It also required colonists to provide food or any British soldiers in the area. The colonists became angry and didn't find it valid as it seemed to violate the "Bill of rights" and they disputed the legality of this act. -
Repeal of the Stamp act
By the beginning of 1766, Most of the stamp distributors resigned because of the mob and crowd. Colonial resistance made it impossible for British government to bring the stamp act in to effect. After the long term protest by "Sons of liberty" and an appeal of Benjamin Franklin, the legislative assembly voted to repeal the stamp act in march, 1766. The colonists were pretty happy. -
Townshend Act/ Duties
This act was decided by Charles Townshend to gain revenue from the american colonies, indirectly. The indirect taxes, or duties levied on imported materials- glass, lead, paint, and paper as they came into colonies from Britain. The colonists reacted with rage and well organized resistance. Educated Americans spoke out protesting "Taxation without Representation" . Samuel Adams boycotted british goods. American women became involved in the protests. -
Boston massacre
Competition for jobs between colonists and poorly paid soldiers who looked for extra work in local shipyards during off-duty hours. Basically british attack on defenseless citizens. The colonists taunted the british soldiers and broke out a fist-fight which killed some colonists. The colonists attack the ships of British. -
Tea act
The act granted the company the right to sell tea to the colonies free of the taxes that colonial tea sellers had to pay. This action would cut colonial merchants out of the tea trade, because East India company could sell its tea directly for less. But colonists protested violently. Boston rebels disguised themselves as native Americans and took action against three British tea ships. -
Intolerable acts
A series of measure passed by the parliament. One law shut down the Boston harbor and another, the quartering act, unauthorized British commanders to house soldiers. -
Quebec Act
Act was passed by Britishers. The act stated that Canada is established as a permanent government operative under the French civil law. All land west of Appalachians and north of Ohio is under the territorial jurisdiction of Quebec. Americans were angry because the act stopped their westward expansion and allowed French Roman catholic institutions in Quebec. -
First Continental congress
Early in American revolution, there was meeting of delegates from 12 of 13 colonies (Georgia did not attend) on September 5th to October 26, 1774, in response of Intolerable Acts. Congress sends petition to England calling for repeal of oppressive legislation. Congress met to boycott british goods. They also told the colonies to prepare their militias. The colonies acted as a united government for the first time. -
Lexington and Concord
General Gage sends troops to Concord to seize illegal weapons and "nip the revolution." The troops also informed Gage the two prominent leaders (John Hancock and Samuel Adams) of resistance to British authority were staying in Lexington. The colonists became angry and went with muskets after the Britishers which led to a battle where people were killed. -
Second continental congress
The loyalties that divided colonists sparked endless debates at the second continental congress. John Adams suggested a swapping, radical pan of own government and independent colonies. The congress was readying the colonists for war still in hope of peace. Most delegates and colonists felt loyalty to King George and blamed the bloodshed on king's ministers. On July 8, 1775 the congress sent olive branch petition to King, Urging a return to "the Former Harmony" between Britain and colonies. -
Battle of Bunker hill
It cooped up in Boston, british general Thomas Gage decided to strike at militiamen who had dug in on Breed's hill, north of the city and near Bunker hill. The british sweating in their woolen uniforms and heavy packs, marched up Breed's hill in their customary broad lines. The colonists held their fire until the last minute, then began to shoot down redcoats. After redcoat's third attack the colonists had lost the battle and some were killed because of low ammo and they had became upset. -
Common sense/Thomas paine
Common sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. He declared that the time had come for the colonists to proclaim an independent republic. He argued that American "Destiny" (independence), would allow america trade guns and ammunition freely and win foreign aid from british enemies. Independence would give american chance to create a better society, free from tyranny and social and economic opportunities. Common sense moved more colonists toward declaring independence from England.
