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Proclamation Line
King George III ordered no more colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. Colonists were angry because they wanted more land and many moved west anyways, ignoring the law. -
Stamp Act
This act was the first DIRECT TAX on the colonists. Almost all printed materials were taxed including newspapers, posters, deeds, and even playing cards. -
Quartering Act
Required colonists to provide food and shelter to British soldiers. Formed the basis for the future 3rd Amendment to the US Constitution. -
Declaratory Act
Parliament agreed to repel the Stamp Act on the condition that the Declaratory Acts were passed. This law declared England's authority to make laws for the colonies. -
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Townshend Acts
Series of acts that taxed items like tea, paper, and glass. John Dickinson argued "no taxation without representation". Samuel Adams distributed the "circular letter" criticizing the Townshend Acts -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers fired on a heckling crowd of colonists, killing 5 colonists. Samuel Adams used the newspaper to portray England as oppressive tyrants. -
Committees of Correspondence
Colonies set up groups to communicate about British activities. The committees unified the colonies, shaped public opinion, and coordinated resisting the British. -
Tea Act
This lowered the tax on British tea, making it cheaper than the non-British tea colonists smuggled. Colonists were mad and felt forced to buy British tea. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists, disguised as Indians, dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. Done by the Sons of Liberty led by Samuel Adams. Samuel Adams publically defended the action. -
Intolerable or Coercive Acts
England shut down Boston Harbor, stopped allowing elections, and expanded the Quartering Acts. More British troops were sent to the colonies to keep order, raising tension. -
Shot Heard Around the World
Is considered by many the start of the American Revolution. No one knows exactly who fired the first shot. -
Common Sense
Wrote by Thomas Paine, pushing for independence. Common Sense was influenced by the Enlightenment ideas of natural rights and compact theory. -
Declaration of Independence
Wrote by Thomas Jefferson. Independence was formally declared on July 2, 1776, by John Adams. On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the final text of the Declaration.