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The Enlightenment
The American Enlightenment was a movement that began a period of new freedom for the colonies breaking away from the British. It established a Democracy which gave freedom of religious choices and liberty. I give The Enlightenment a rating of 10/10 because it is extremely important and a summary of the entire road to independance. -
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The French and Indian War
A war between Great Britain and France over land in North America. As an outcome, the British won territory. I am giving this a 9/10 of importance because it was the first out of many sequences of events for the Revolution. -
The Proclamation Line of 1763
The Proclamation Line of 1763 forbid settlers from settling west past the Appalachian Mountains to avoid problems with the Native Americans. The British government also taxed American colonies even more to pay off war debt. Settlers were very angry about this. I ranked this a 10/10 for importance because it is where we first see taxes being placed on the colonies which is one of the main reasons they started this Revolution. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act proclaimed all printed documents to have a tax stamp. Many colonists boycotted this effort by refusing to buy British goods. This act was repealed by the British Parliament. But, within the same day the Parliament passed the Declaratory Act which stated that Britain had the right to tax whatever they wanted. I ranked this as a 9/10 because the colonists are being taxed even more and are now starting to fight back by boycotting. This was the first step of action against Britain. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was where a group of colonial protesters were protesting against British taxes. British soldiers shot into this crowd and killed approximately 5 people. I am ranking this a 10/10 because it resulted in death. These five colonists were the first few to die for the rights of our country. -
The Tea Act
The Parliament passed another Act in which it gave them the right to tax the tea that was shipped there. I ranked this as an 8/10 because it is even more taxes. Also, taxes on tea during this time period is an iconic symbol represnting the Revolution that is known today to all Americans. -
The Boston Tea Party
Many colonists known as the Sons of Liberty, dressed as Native Americans, dumped 342 barrels of British Tea into the Boston Harbor as an act of protest. Today it is known as the Boston Tea Party. I ranked this as a 9/10 because it is one of the most iconic and important protests known to the United States. -
The Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were punishments made by the British because they were very angry about the Boston Tea Party. These Acts stated: "No trial by jury in the colonies," "Quartering Act: colonists forced to house and feed English soldiers," and "Blockade of Boston: no ships allowed to enter of leave Boston harbor." I rank this as an 8/10 because it shows how the British are still trying to control the colonies. -
The First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a meeting in Philadelphia that lasted 7 weeks. The delegates wrote a letter to King George III demanding him to give the colonists back their rights. They also continued to boycott. He did not restore their rights. I rank this as a 9/10 because it is the last civil effort made by the colonists before war is declaired. -
Lexington and Concord
Weapons were being held in Concord, Massachusetts. The British troops soon found out and, on their way there, were attacked by farmers and militia. The British troops defeated them. They also defeated more at Concord. Many New England Colonists still decided to volunteer and join to fight. I give this a 9/10 because it is important how the colonists are trying so hard to achieve their dreams even if it means risking their lives. -
The Second Continental Congress
The Delegates meet again to discuss what happened in Massachusetts. Many can not agree on if independance is what they still want. Thomas Paine writes "Common Sense" which compels many of the delegates to still decide for independance. Many agree to support and begin writing a declaration. I rank this as an 8/10 because it is very important that Thomas Paine wrote "Common Sense," otherwise, many of the delegates may not have decided to write a declaration. -
The Declaration of Independance
Thomas Jefferson, the lead author of the Declaration of Independance, took some of the ideas from Rosseau and Locke. The Declaration basically states about 27 examples of British tyranny and says that because of this, America had the right to become its own independant country. I ranked this as a 10/10 because it is extremely important and influenced the road to revolution greatly. We still celebrate this day as a national holiday in remembrance for the day we became an independant country,
