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Founding of the Colonies
The British sent over hundreds of colonists to North America to establish colonies along the Eastern Seaboard. One main reason for the creation of the colonies was religious intolerance. Another more prominent reason was so that the British could make more money off of the natural resources that were found in North America. -
French and Indian War
The British and the French fought over land with their respective Native American allies throughout Eastern North America. One major reason this war happened was a dispute over land, and another was previous battles between the British and the French in Europe. -
The Sugar Act, the Quartering Act, the Currency Act, and the Stamp Act
Settlers had to pay sixpence per every gallon of sugar. This decision was decided at the British Parliament in Great Britain. The British did this because they were in great debt because of the 7 Year War against the French, so in order to get more money to pay for the war, they created these tax acts, and they changed the currency (prices) in order to get more money. In addition, the British arrested people who did not pay their taxes. -
Sons of Liberty
An Irishman named Isaac Barré defended the American colonies after the Stamp Act supporter Charles Townshend said something that disapproved of the colonies. He spoke positively in favor of the colonies calling them “Sons of Liberty." The "Sons of Liberty" evolved into a secret society of men wanted to go against British taxation. These men met in groups in Hanover Square in Boston and the Liberty Pole in New York. -
"No Taxation Without Representation"
James Otis thought Americans should have actual legislators seated and voting in London. He argued for this form of representation in the Stamp Act Congress in 1765, but there was little support. James Otis believed that Americans deserved the right for a representative, and when British Parliament would not let an American representative be present in the Stamp Act Congress, James Otis tried to convince the delegates to back him up, but few did. -
Boston Tea Party
What: Colonists in Boston disguised as Native Americans destroyed an entire shipment of tea from the East India Company in Boston, MA. The Boston Tea party events occurred to protest the British tax on tea. One main thing that came out of this was "No taxation without representation". -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts are Acts that the British Parliament passed. The Parliament passed these Acts for different reasons. For the Boston Port Act, the British prohibited use of the Boston Port until it was clean from what the Boston Tea Party caused. The Massachusetts Government Act gave the British the control of the Massachusetts Bay. The Administration of Justice Act protected British officials from offenses. Finally, the Quebec Act gave the British all of Quebec. -
Boston Blockade
The Boston Blockade was when the British closed the Boston Port for the Colonists but still kept it open for the British Navy in Boston, MA. The British did this in order to prevent the Colonists from using the port. They also did this in order to pay for the nearly $1,000,000 (today's worth) of tea that the Colonists destroyed in the Boston Tea Party. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress is composed of delegates that represented each of the twelve colonies (Georgia was not part of this). These delegates met in order to try to resist the British Coercive Acts and taxes at Carpenters Hall, Philadelphia, PA. The creation of the First Continental Congress was to try to further resist British taxes as a response to the Coercive Acts (a series of laws established by the British as a reaction to the Boston Tea Party. -
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
Thomas Paine wrote a 49 page pamphlet written for the common American that challenged British Rule/authority. Thomas Paine wrote common sense in order to show other American people about how British authority is not right, and how people should fight for a different and fair government. -
Paul Revere's "Ride"
A silversmith named Paul Revere set on a proclaimed but controversial "legendary ride" at midnight to war American colonists that the British were coming. He rode from Boston to Lexington, MA. Before that night, When British Army activity on April 7, 1775 suggested possible British troop movement, Joseph Warren sent Revere to warn the Massachusetts Congress. Paul Revere obviously wanted to help the colonists, so he went on his "midnight ride". -
Lexington and Concord
The British and the colonists had battles at Lexington and Concord, which were the first battles of the Revolutionary War. They took place in Lexington and Concord, MA. These battles happened because of British tensions with the colonists. These tensions occurred mainly because of the Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre.
