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Founding of the Colonies
The colonists moved to America because they were trying to escape religious persecution in Europe and distancing themselves from the Church of England. It was a place where religion could be practiced freely. The first colony was Jamestown Virginia and the last was Georgia, the colonies included: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. -
French and Indian War
After the French and Indian war ended in 1763 Britain was in huge debt and although they gained enormous amount of land they needed money to pay off their debt. Britain ruled over 13 colonies and decided to make them all pay taxes. The colonists were not happy about this and resented the British. Soon after they began to rebel which helped lead to the american revolution -
The Sugar Act, Quartering Act, Stamp Act, Currency Act
The Sugar Act, Quartering Act, Stamp Act, Currency Act were all acts of the British to increase taxing against the Colonists. The colonists were outraged and thought the taxes were unfair. Many of the colonists did not want to open up their homes to soldiers and didn't want to pay more for everyday necessities like tea. These acts helped lead the colonists to rebel -
No Taxation Without Representation
James Otis argued that Americans have a right to legislators voting along with the British when the Parliament creates laws.This idea wasn't popular, but it gave the colonists the idea of running their own affairs without the British. The American colonists protested,saying "No Taxation Without Representation". The phrase was created by James Otis in 1761, but colonists used it after the Stamp Act in 1765. Colonists found it unjust to have to pay taxes for the British with no say for themselves. -
Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty was an organization in the 13 colonies. This group was supposed to protect the colonies rights and limit the taxation. The people in the Sons of Liberty were local, like tradesman, shop owners and every day workers. It was originally called the Loyal Nine but as it grew the name changed. -
Boston Tea Party
One night, over 100 colonists, led by The Sons of Liberty and Sam Adams, decided to rebel against the British and their taxation policies. After having to pay taxes for many items, including tea, the colonists had had enough. They dressed up as Mohawk Indians to sneak into three ships, and they spent three hours dumping 90,000 pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor. This protest showed the British how frustrated colonists were with them, but the British still fought back, later leading to war. -
Intolerable Acts
After the Boston Tea Party, the British became very angry with the colonists, and decided to set new laws for the colonists to follow.There were 5 acts, the Boston Port Bill, Massachusetts Government Act, The Administration of Justice Act, the new Quartering Act, and finally the Quebec Act.These acts, overall, were for the British to show their authority over the colonists.These acts enraged colonists, which is why they are now known as "The Intolerable Act".This led to the war with the British. -
The Boston Blockade
After the Boston Tea Party in 1733,Britain wanted to punish the city of Boston.They passed a law, closing the ports of Boston and Charlestown to terrorize merchants into thinking it would lead to economic disaster.The law demanded that the residents pay for the dumped tea, which cost nearly one million dollars.This was the first of multiple laws that made up the Intolerable Acts.After each law was made,it only made the colonists angrier and angrier,wanting even more to be rid of British rulings. -
The First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a meeting with twelve of the Thirteen Colonies who met from September 5 to October 26, 1774 in Pennsylvania. It was called after the British passed the intolerable acts law -
Paul Revere's "Ride"
In April of 1775,Paul Revere and other colonists were informed that the British were coming to Lexington,Massachusetts to arrest Samuel Adams and George Hancock,and they would march in Concord,Massachusetts to take all militia weapons they could find. Paul Revere and his followers rode to Lexington to inform Sam Adams and George Hancock, and another man told Concord colonists. This was very important, because if they had not informed everyone on what was happening, they would be in much trouble. -
Lexington and Concord
In April 19, 1775 as tensions were building between the colonists and the British, 700 British Soldiers marched through Lexington and Concord looking for hidden weapons. The colonists only had 77 militiaman and were outnumbered. The colonists followed the British until reinforcements came, when they did there were about 3,500 colonists. The colonists started firing from behind the British causing them to win and making British retreat. -
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
In January 1776,Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called "Common Sense",showing his political views.This pamphlet consisted of two main points,one being Independence from England,and two the creation of a Democratic Republic.Although many Americans still wanted Britain to rule,this book encouraged people to revolt against Britain,and provided answers as to why they should.The creation of this book infuriated Britain because it led more people to protest them,causing even more problems for them.
