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Proclamation of 1763
Proclamation from King George III saying colonists were not allowed to colonize area west of the Appalachian mountains due to the recent war with the Indians and high tensions as a result. Colonists were angered and ultimately shared their discontent to the order of the crown due to the proclamation. -
Sugar Act
Put tax on sugar and molasses in the colonies in an effort to reduce smuggling and made the colonies ultimately buy sugar from the British. This angered the colonists who saw the tax as a blatant way to undermine their businesses and trade. -
Currency Act
Act which prohibits colonists to print their own money so the British could control colonial economy and make sure they were legally printing money. Angered colonists who saw this as a way to weaken colonial economy and ultimately make them less independent economically. -
Stamp Act
Put tax on paper and required a stamp on all printed material in the colonies. Angered colonists who had to pay for stamps and thought they were being undermined by the British. -
Quartering Act
Requires colonists to create a living space for British soldiers in the colonies and ultimately supply them with food, water and supplies for life. British saw this as a means of protection for the colonists while the colonists saw it as an invasion of space and government control over their lives. -
Repeal of Stamp Act and passage of Declaratory Act
This repeals the stamp act as a means of pleasing the colonists but then the British go and attempt to assert dominance by passing the declaratory acts stating they had complete power over colonial government and laws. The colonists became extremely angered by this and were at a point of deciding upon rebellion. -
Townshend Acts
Passed into effect with the goal of taxing almost every item brought into port from Britain to the colonies. This angered colonists to a point in which they agreed to limit purchase of supplies and trade from Britain. -
Tea Act
Allows the East India company to sell tea in the americas without any taxes. This ultimately hurt the colonial business for tea and resulted in the Boston tea party where a group of patriots threw over 1,000,000 dollars worth of tea into the Boston port. -
Coercive or “Intolerable” Acts
Acts passed to punish colonists for the Boston tea party. This shut down Boston port and severely hurt trade in the colonies and as a result colonial commerce and economy. This angered the colonists and was ultimately the final straw before Lexington and concord. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
First battle of the revolutionary war. British troops receive a tip off about colonists forming a militia and stashing weapons and supplies in concord. The militia forms to defend both Lexington and concord from the British and a battle ensues. As the first mark of war the colonists acted due to their belief of denial of rights and ultimately dissatisfaction with British rule. -
Second Continental Congress
Group of delegates from the 13 colonies meet and form the government basis for the revolutionary war of America. Many bills are passed by these delegates and ultimately they serve a great purpose after the war too. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The colonists lose the battle to the british. However, bunker hill proves that tactically the Colonists stand a chance against the British due to the large casualties on the british side. This battle ultimately raises the colonists confidence and proves that they can hold their own against the british -
Declaration of Independence
Document signed by delegates of the colonies stating the colonies intentions to become independent and reasons for such. This document propels the colonists to have confidence in a formal document and common goal in assuring the future after the revolution. This document is the first official document of America versus the colonies. -
Battle of Saratoga
Americans first lose a small battle to the british. but later come back to beat them in the second part of the battle. This battle represents the turning point of the war during the revolution and the American style of fighting which will beat the british later on to win the war of independence. -
Battle of Yorktown
Final battle of the revolution in which the Americans and French defeat the british by capturing their defenses and forcing a surrender. This battle caused the British to retreat and ended their reign in America. The british then started negotiating a peace treaty with Americans which would later be called the treaty of Paris. -
Treaty of Paris
Document signed by the British and Americans giving the Americans right to land doubling the size of America, Canadas fisheries and access to national grand banks off the coast of Newfoundland as well as full independence from the crown. Ultimately ends the entire war and allows the Americans their first true self governance.
