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Proclomation of 1763
The British issued the Proclamation of 1763. The Proclamation forbade colonists to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. The colonist were very angry. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was a law that was passed by Parliament that placed a tax on sugar, molasses, and other products that were shipped to the colonies. Colonial leaders like James Otis claimed that Parliament had no right to tax the colonies since the colonies were not represented in Parliament. This increased more tension between the colonies and the Britain. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a tax that was imposed on every document or newspaper printed or used in the colonies. All diplomas, contracts, and wills had to have a stamp. The tax was approved without a debate. Colonial leaders protested. The colonies were worried about Britain passes other taxes in the future. This made the colonies very angry and upset. -
The Quartering Act
The Quartering Act forced American colonist to house and feed British forces who were serving in North America. The colonists had their homes forced open. The colonist were very angry and tensions inflamed between them and the British. -
Boston Massacre
In March 1170, tensions exploded into violence. A fight occured and the soliders started shooting and firing, Laborers were killed during this fight. The Sons of Liberty called the fight and shooting, The Boston Massacre. The redcoats who had fired the shots were arrested for murder. The Boston Massacre was a symbol of British Tyranny to many colonists. -
Townshend Acts
Parliament passed Charles Townshend's plan known as the Townshend Acts. The first act suspended New York's assembly until New Yorkers agreed to provide housing for troops. Other acts placed import taxes on goods brought into the colonies such as glass, paper, paint, lead, tea, and more. The money raised would be used to pay British govenors and other officials in the colonies. This also angered colonist because British officers would enter homes and buisnesses to search for smuggled goods. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was when a group of men disguised as Native Americans boarded three tea ships clocked in Boston Harbor. They destroyed 342 chests of tea. -
Intolerable Acts
Parliament passed a series of laws called the Coercivde Acts. The laws were to punish the Massachusetts colony but they were so harsh that the colonists called them the Intolerable Acts. One of the acts would close the port of Boston until colonists paid for the tea that they destroyed. Others banned committees of correspondence, allowed Britain to house toops and let British officials accused of crimes in the colonies stand trial in Britain. -
First Continental Congress
At the first meeting of the Continental Congress, delegates voted to ban all trade with Britain until the Intolerable Acts were removed. They also made each colony beging to train troops. The First Continental Congress was a big part in American History. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
On April 19th, 700 British tropps reached Lexington. The British commandeer ordered Americans to drop their muskets but they refused. Nobody knows who fired first but in a few minutes, eight militiamen were dead. Then the British marched to Concord, where they destroyed military supplies. A battle started at a bridge north of the town, forcing the British to retreat. The Lexting and Concord battles were the first battles of the Revolutionary War. -
2nd Continental Congress meets
Delegates such as John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Patrick Henry agreed to form the Continental Army at the 2nd Continental Congress. The meeting was in Philadelphia. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
Militiamen seized Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill behind Charlestown. The British attacked because they were alarmed. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition asked the king to restore the harmony between Britain and the colonies but the king rejected it. The king even punished the colonies for it. -
Common Sense Is Published
The publication of a pamphlet (Common Sense) helped convince Americans that a complete break with Britain was necessary. It was a strong case for American independence. -
British Retreat from Boston
The Continental Army had surrounded British forces in Boston. Neither sides were willing to break the standoff. Help for Washington was on the way and cannons were being hauled from Fort Ticonderoga. It was a rough job so it took soliders two months to drag heavy weapons to Boston. -
The Declaration of Independence
Congress adopted the Decleration of Independence in July 1776 tthat proclaimed independence. It declared the colonies to be free and independent states.