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The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was a time when philosophers formed opinions of reasoning and analysis for things like government. For example, John Locke formed the opinion of natural rights.
I give this event a 7 because the ideas formed during this period influenced the Declaration of Independence, which was a document that favored Locke's ideas of natural rights. -
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The French and Indian War
This war involved the British and American colonists and the French colonists who were allied with the indigenous forces. They were fighting over certain areas of land. This war is also known as the Seven Years War.
I give this event a 6 because it is the event leading up to many other events that cause the colonists to think about a revolution and a desire for independence. -
Proclamation of 1763
PictureAfter the French and Indian War, England declared the Proclamation of 1763 which forbid colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. They thought this would help decrease any conflicts with the Native Americans.
I give this event a 5 because the colonists ignored this line and it didn't spur on that much of a revolution. -
Stamp Act
PictureAs a result of the French and Indian War, England thought that the colonists should help pay off the war debt through taxes. The Stamp Act required all printed documents to have an official stamp that was paid for beforehand. The result of this act led to boycotting British goods. Because of the boycotting, the act was eventually repealed.
I give this event an 8 because one of the issues in creating this act was that the colonists didn't have a say in these taxes and they didn't have freedom. -
Boston Massacre
PictureThe Boston Massacre was when some colonial protesters and British troops got into an argument and started shooting each other. It resulted in the deaths of five colonists and others injured.
I give this event a 7 because this event foreshadows the outbreak of the Revolution. -
Tea Act
PictureThe Tea Act was a new tax on tea for the colonists.
I gvie this event an 8 because this act leads on to the Boston Tea Party, which was an iconic moment in the history of the American Revolution. -
Boston Tea Party
PictureBecause of the Tea Act, a group of people in Boston called the Sons of Liberty decided to rebel against this new taxation on tea. On December 16, 1773, they dressed up as Mohawk Indians and dumped hundreds of cases of tea into the Boston Harbor.
I give this even a 9 because this event spurred on more acts from the British, which made the colonists want freedom and independence even more. -
Intolerable Acts
PictureThe Intolerable Acts of 1774 refer to the acts that the British made to punish the colonists after the Boston Tea Party. The new acts include:
1. No trial by jury in the colonies.
2. Quartering Act: colonists were forced to let any English quarter in their houses and provide food for the soliders.
3. Blockade of Boston: no ships were allowed to enter or leave the Boston harbour.
I give this event a 9 because it leads up to when the colonists start to ask for independence. -
First Continental Congress
PictureOn this day, delegates from 12 of the colonies met in Philadephia to discuss the Intolerable Acts. They produced and sent a letter to King George III asking for him to repeal the acts but he didn't.
I give this event a 9 because it was very important that the colonies came together to address an issue. They also took further steps to ask for independence by drafting a letter to King George. They will join again to discuss more independence for America. -
Lexington and Concord
PictureWhen the British troops heard that weapons were being stockpiled in Concord, Massachusetts, they were ordered to capture and destroy the military supplies. On the way there, they were confronted by the militia members at Lexington. Many of the colonists were defeated.
I give this event a 10 because this is the first military battles of the American Revolution. -
Second Continental Congress
PictureThe delegates met again in 1776 to discuss the warfare in Massachusetts. They discussed things about independence and they formed a committee to write a declaration. Thomas Paine wrote "Common Sense" in which he favored independence.
I give this event a 9 because this event leads to the Declaration of Independence, where they finally are allowed their freedom. -
The Declaration of Independence
PictureThomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. In this document, he mentioned the 27 examples of British tyranny and how the 13 American colonies should be regarded as independent states from the British empire.
I give this event a 10 because this is the result of the American Revolution; there is a new country, America and the people of this country had the right and responsibility to have their own freedom and independence.
