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French and Indian War
The French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years’ War, was a conflict between Britain and France over land in the Americas. The French’s arrival in the Ohio River valley had gotten in the way of British colonists, which caused disagreements. This was the very war that drove Britain into debt and overall paved the way for significant future events. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a law passed by the British Parliament to impose taxes on paper documents, such as cards, pamphlets, newspapers, and legal documents, in the American colonies. Britain was in such a great debt after the French and Indian War that Parliament viewed the colonists as a way of restoring that lost money, therefore resulting in taxation. The colonists believed that these taxations were unlawful because they had no representation in Parliament, so they rallied against Britain. -
Quartering Act
The British Parliament passed the Quartering Act to establish the following requirement for all colonial governments: money must be paid in order to feed and shelter all British soldiers in the colonies. Parliament believed that it was important for the colonists to pay a portion of Britain’s debt after the Seven Years’ War by providing basic necessities to British soldiers positioned in the colonies. Colonists became irritated by this because it was seen as an abuse of power. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were developed by Parliament to impose taxes on items that were being imported into the colonies. These items consisted of glass, paint, tea, paper, lead, and British china. Creating this policy was another way Britain had planned to repair the economy after the French and Indian War. Because the colonists still did not have a representative in the British Parliament, these acts were seen as unconstitutional and drove the colonists to boycott British goods. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a conflict between colonists and British soldiers in Massachusetts. The tragedy broke out from a protest the colonists had incited against the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts. King George III had sent about a thousand British troops to settle the situation, but violence led to the deaths of five colonists. This incident greatly fueled the colonists’ hatred and desire to remain against the British. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act was another policy adopted by Parliament to rid of the debt in Britain. This act specifically granted the British East India Company Tea, a significant factor to Britain’s economy, control over the tea that was imported and sold in the American colonies. Tea was smuggled before this act was established, so as a result, colonists became frustrated and believed that Britain was attempting to become more controlling. The colonists decided to boycott tea chests in response. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were adopted to rebuild order in Massachusetts and to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party, a protest done against the Tea Act. These acts consisted of the following four: the Boston Port Act, the Massachusetts Government Act, the Administration of Justice Act, and the Quartering Act. Because of this, the colonists believed that their rights were being violated, which led to their unification in protests. The First Continental Congress was also formed as a result. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was an assembly of delegates from twelve colonies that met up in response to the Intolerable Acts. The delegates discussed how unjust taxes were, so they took action to prevent British goods from being imported. They had also sent a letter to Britain’s king in an attempt to alter the colonists’ situation. Whether or not the king responded would determine if a revolution should begin. Overall, this assembly unified the people of all colonies. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord are known for marking the start of the American Revolutionary War. These conflicts began when British troops were sent to a place near Concord in order to collect gunpowder for training. Colonists were then alerted of the British’s arrival and had rapidly gone to confront them. As a result, numerous bullets were shot, causing the deaths of 8 colonists and injuring many others. In the end, the British had lost the battles, and a war had begun. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought early in the American Revolution. In this battle, the colonists had taken over a hill that was later attacked by thousands of British troops. Due to little remaining ammo, the colonists fled but were still victorious. A month after the war, the Continental Congress pleaded to King George, stating that they wanted peace in exchange for their loyalty. However, because of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the King declined this offer, so the war raged on. -
“Common Sense”
“Common Sense” was a pamphlet written and published by Thomas Paine. This pamphlet spoke about how America could gain independence and be set free of Britain’s control. Paine also pointed out how unjust it was to be ruled by a king. Because of this pamphlet, colonists were convinced to take a stand against the British, if they had not already. Paine also successfully united politicians and colonists in the fight for independence. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a document, written mainly by Thomas Jefferson, stating that the American colonists are to be set free of Britain’s control and establish a new government. After this document was adopted on July 4, 1776 by the Continental Congress, America was seen as a separate nation as opposed to a region that was in a civil war against Britain. This document overall unified the thirteen colonies to fight as one, which led to an alliance with the French.