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The Proclamation of 1763
Because of Pontiac's rebellion and other Indians' uprising, British authorities decided that it was not possible for them to protect their settlers in the colonies. Therefore, Great Britain created The Proclamation of 1763. This did not allow colonist to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. The hope was by separating the British settlers and Native Americans, fights would stop breaking out between them. -
Sugar Act of 1764
British officials decided they needed to find a way to increase their income. So, the Sugar Act of 1764 was created. The Sugar Act imported tax on foreign sugars, molasses and other items entering the colonies at this time. For the first, the Britain was really enforcing their laws. The Sugar Acts created much controversy. -
Stamp Act 1765
The Stamp Act was another attempt to increase revenue. This act added tax to tons of things such as: advertisements, diplomas, legal documents, newspaper, and playing cards. To prove that tax had been paid, the British officials required that these purchases were stamped as evidence. -
Quartering Act 1765
This particular act required colonists to house and feed the British troops. The troops that they were required to take care of were living in the colonies after fighting in the French and Indian war. There were additional troops that settlers were required to house and feed as well. -
Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress was held in New York City. The purpose of this congress was for people from nine of colonies to be able to voice their displeasure and rejection of the Stamp acts. -
Declaratory Act 1766
The Declaratory Act was a law passed by the Parliament that confidently stated its right to make laws in governing for the American colonies. Colonist did not pay much attention to this act, however there was still controversy over whether the Parliament could tax settlers. -
Townshend Acts 1767
These laws enforced tax on everyday items such as; tea, lead, glass, and dyes for paint. To make sure colonist were doing their duty in paying tax, writs of assistance or revised use of special warrants were enforced. The Parliament thought colonist would not reject these laws because taxes were collected in their own colonial parts. However, they were wrong. -
Boston Massacre
Outside of a customs house, a crowd of 50 or 60 colonist gathered angrily in front of several British soldiers. They began to yell and throw things at them. This clash was shocking to the rest of the colonist. Soon after, Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty decided to name this event the Boston Massacre. -
Tea Act 1773
Tea selling businesses were in crisis so the Parliament passed this act. Basically this law gave the British East India Company a free pass in paying certain duties and permitted them to selling directly to the American Agents. Many colonists still refused to buy tea. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was done to show the government the colonist feelings about the Tea Acts. Many colonists disguised as Native Americans boarded 3 large ships full of tea. While sailing, these colonists emptied 342 chest of tea into the water. -
Coercive Acts 1774
The Coercive Acts, in 1774, were a series of four acts that were established by the British Government. The goal of this act was to restore Massachusetts, and punish those in Boston because of the Boston Tea Party. These laws included, closing the port of Boston, restricted Massachusetts government, made British officials living in Massachusetts immune to persecution and required colonist to house and feed troops. -
First Continental Congress
Representatives from each colony besides Geogria would travel to Philadelaphia to attend the First Continental Congress. At the meetings, the representatives would discuss their grievances and consider their options. There was some controversy. Some delegates wanted to remain a part of the British Empire, meanwhile others wanted independence. -
Quebec Act 1774
The Quebec Acts were passed because colonists were supporting the settlers in Massachusetts during the Intolerable Acts. These acts stated that Quebec’s boundaries would now be south to the Ohio River, overriding the claims of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Virginia colony in the western lands. Also these laws made Protestant colonists upset because it granted religious freedom to French, Romans, and Catholics. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Patriots waited for the British troops at Lexington, and when they arrived someone shot the first gun and many shots followed. When finished, the patriots were losing the battle. Then, the British went to burn their supplies. After doing so, they left to go back to Boston, but what they did not know is that the patriots were hiding behind stonewalls following and waiting for them to shoot. -
Second Continental Congress
Because of the fighting in Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress was created for representatives to decide how to deal and react to this. Some of the delegates wanted to immediately create the declaration of independence, while others did not. However, by middle June the representatives decided to create a Continental Army for their liberty. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was created to show the colonists were loyal to the king and it also asked for the king’s help. The King rejected this petition and demanded the Royal Navy to block all shipping to the colonies. In addition, Hessians were hired to help with victory. -
Declaration of Independence
The Second Continental Congress created this document to declare independence from Britain. Colonist and the delegates wanted to control their own taxes, laws, etc.
