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Sugar Act
Although it reduced the tax on molasses, the Sugar Act was strictly enforced, so colonist ended up paying more taxes. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was the tax on printed items was the first direct tax on the colonists. It added a fee to printed materials such as legal documents and newspapers. -
Quartering Act
Following the French and Indian War, Britain maintained a standing army in the colonies. The Quartering Act required colonial assemblies to house and provision soldiers. -
Period: to
April 1765
Those who opposed the British taxes called themselves “Patriots” and the Sons of Liberty was born with Sam Adams as its leader. -
Sons of Liberty
A Mob led by the Sons of Liberty tore down the office and damaged the house of the stamp collector. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act repealed the Stamp Act but asserted Parliament’s right to rule the colonies as saw fit. -
Townsend Acts
Import taxes on a variety of goods were collected to support royal officials in the colonies, removing the responsibility from the colonial assemblies. The Townsend Acts were so unpopular that all the taxes were repealed, except the one on tea. -
Custom House
A group of colonist hurled snowballs and rocks at British soldiers guarding the Customs House. The soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five colonists. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act was created to save the East India Tea Company. Although it lowered the price of tea, it gave the company a monopoly and threatened the business of colonial importers. -
Boston Tea Party
Boston Patriots dressed as Indians, boarded three British ships laden with tea and Dumped the tea into the harbor. The event became known as the Boston Tea Party. -
Intolerable Act
The Intolerable Act officially called the Coercive Acts, these laws were meant to force Massachusetts to pay for the tea destroyed in the Boston Tea Party. The laws closed Boston Harbor and forced colonists to house British soldiers in their homes. -
1st Continental Congress Meets
The First Continental Congress meets. Agree to boycott British goods. -
"Give me Liberty or give me Death"
Patrick Henry, gives his most famous speech, in the House of Burgesses. “Give me Liberty or give me Death” -
Olive Branch Petition
Congress sends an “Olive Branch” to King George III. He rejected the petition and sent more troops to Boston. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Battles of Lexington and Concord -
2nd Continental Congress Meets
Second Continental Congress meets. Congress names George Washington commander of Continental Army. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Battle of Bunker Hill -
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense -
Declaration of Independence
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence was approved. -
Period: to
Winter of 1777-1778
Baron Von Steuben trains the Continental Army at Valley Forge, Penn. -
Battle of Saratoga
Patriots win in Saratoga -
France Alliance
France signs an alliance with the United States. -
Charlestown, South Carolina
General Clinton captures 3000 Patriot soldiers as he takes Charlestown, South Carolina. -
Yorktown
General Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown. -
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris signed.
