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The Navigation Laws
The Navigation Laws were multiple laws used to restrict foreign trade between England and the colonies. The laws were trying to stop the colonies from trading with other European countries. The colonists followed most of the laws, but neglected to follow the Molasses Act of 1773 and began smuggling exstensively. -
The Seven Years War
The Seven Years War took place between the years of 1754 through 1763. Most of the world's great powers (Europe, North America, Central America, the Western African coast, India, and the Philippines) were involved. The war resulted in the Treaty of Hamburg, Treaty of Paris, and Treaty of St. Petersburg. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a direct tax made by the British parliament. The Act required all printed materials to use a certain paper made in London called stamped paper. The material was legal documents, newspapers, magazines, and other papers used by the colonist. They had to be paid for in British currency rather than the colonial paper money. -
The Townshend Tea Tax
Proposed by Charles Townshend, the Townshend Tea taxed imported goods in order to pay governers and judges. The taxes were mainly on glass, paint, oil, lead, paper, and tea. The colonists did not obey the law, and Britain sent troops to occupy Boston, which resulted in the Boston Massacre. -
"American" Consumer Boycott
In June of 1767 Britain tried to over-tax the colonists in order to finance their troops. In order to do that, Parliament passed the Townshend Acts which taxed items like paper, lead, glass, paint, and tea shipped from England. In August of 1768 New York and Boston boycotted all British goods. Philadelphia then joined in March of 1769, and soon spread to New Jersey, Rhode Island, and North Carolina. British exports percentage declined about 38%. -
British Occupation
In response to Boston's reaction to the Townshends Acts, in October of 1768 Britain sent a fleet of warships to the disloyal colony of Boston. The soldiers marched up and intimidatedly surrounded Boston's main source of government's building, their townhouse, Throughout the next year and a half, as many as 2,000 British troops would occupy Boston. -
The Boston Massacre
Incident on Kings Street, often referred to as The Boston Massacre was on March 5, 1770. British soldiers shot and killed five colonial men and had also injured six others when they fired into the crowd of a mob, with out order. -
Committees of Correspondance
Committees of Correspondence were “shadow governments” organized by the patriot leaders. It was created in order to coordinate action against Britain. -
The Intolerable Acts
Nicknamed by the patriots, The Intolerable Acts were a series of "punitive laws" passed by parliament after the Boston Tea Party. The acts took away the historic rights and self government from Massachusettes, which angered the Thirteen Colonies. In response to the acts, the First Continental Congress was organized , and soon led to the Revolutionary War. -
The Boston Port Act
The Boston Port Act is one of the Intolerable Acts made by parliament. This act was made in regards to the Boston Tea Party. King George III charged the colonists by claiming that they were trying to harm Britain’s commerce and “subvert” the Constitution.The Port of Boston was outlawed, barricades were set up for “landing and discharging, loading or shipping, of goods, wares, and merchandise.” -
Quartering Acts
The Quartering Acts were created by the British Parliament, it was used to order the American Colonie’s governments to provide for the British soldiers. The American citizens were required to provide housing and food for any soldiers residing in their area. Because soldiers could come into their homes without their permission, the colonists were angered. -
The Quebec Acts
An act created by British Parliament containing the procedures of the Province of Quebec’s governance. It included the takeover of the Indian Reserve (southern Ontario, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and some of Minnesota), the change in oath of allegiance (no longer referencing the Protestant faith), the reinstatement of French civil law, and restoration in the Catholic Church’s right to levy tithes.The act further angered the Americans and was labeled one of the Intolerable Act -
First Continental Congress
On September 5, 1774, fifty-six delegates from twelve colonies (Georgia being the only colony not to send representatives) gathered for a convention in Philadelphia, PA in response to the Intolerable Acts. The delegates met to “consider their options”, which included an economic boycott on British trade, their rights and injustices, and they also considered to petition King George III for redress of grievances. They decided on another Continental Congress convention if their petition didn’t go w -
Lexington & Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord are considered to be the “the first military engagements of the Revolutionary War”(Wikipedia). Fought on April 19, 1775, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay’s towns of Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Menotomy(Arlington), and Cambridge(near Boston). These battle began the open armed campaign between the thirteen colonies and its’ motherland (England). -
VOICES IN HISTORY: THOMAS GAGE
In January of 1775 I receive orders from London to take action against the rebellion. After receiving information about rebels stockpiling weapons at Concord I sent troops to confiscate them on the night of April 19th. The rebels fought back, and I sent more troops back for a battle. In the end, our side had 273 casualities. -
VOICES IN HISTORY: PAUL REVERE
Joseph Warren sent me to warn the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. On the day of April 7th British Army activity suggested possible troop movements. After receiving the warning, Concord residents moved army supplies out of the town. A week later General Gage received instructions to disarm the rebels and imprison rebellion leaders. On the night of April 19th Joseph warned me and William Dawes that British troops were about to embark Boston, and then sent us to warn their leaders. -
Virtual Representation
The Virtual Representation was Britain’s response to the First Continental Congress. The term was used by the British to claim that the colonists didn’t need to have a representative from the colonies to be represented in parliament since they were already British citizens, and were already being represented by the parliament’s current members. -
VOICES IN HISTORY: THOMAS PAINE
I know I can’t be the only one with these thoughts. If we get our Independence from England we can rule ourselves. Although it’d be hard to find against them, I believe we should just try. What is there to lose? The pros definitely outway the cons, if only all the colonies could work together. I must inform the people.. But how? Through speeches and my writings I will inform the people, and we will fight for our independence! -
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
Common sense is a pamphlet by Thomas Paine. His pamphlet encouraged the colonists to proclaim and fight for the independence from Britain. It discussed the advantages that they could achieve from their independence and how important it was to do it soon. On January 10, 1776 the pamphlet was released anonymously and immediately became a sensation. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act “accompanied”the repeal of the Stamp Act.The Stamp Act was repealed because of the boycotts, which were hurting British trade. -
VOICES IN HISTORY: MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE
It took me awhile to get to America. The Continental Congress delayed my commision, but with the help of my good friend, Thomas Jefferson, I was accepted by George Washington. My first battle was at Brandywine. General Washington sent me to help General Sullivan. I tried to rally the unit to face the attack, and I ended up getting shot in my leg. Instead of getting my wound treated, I rallied the troops, allowing for a more orderly retreat. I was rewarded by General Washington and was cited for -
Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations"
“An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations” by Scottish economist, Adam Smith, usually just referred to as “The Wealth of Nations” is a “fundamental” work in classical economics. It discusses the economy during the Industrial revolution, and also describes what builds a nations wealth.
