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Although it reduced the tax on molasses, the Sugar Act was strictly enforced, so colonists ended up paying more taxes
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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. Then on August 13th, The Sons of Liberty tore down the office and damaged the house of the stamp collector.
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The Declatory Act repealed the Stamp Act but asserted Parliament's rights to rule the colonies as saw fit.
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Import taxes on a variety of goods were collected to support royal officials, removing the responsibility from the colonial assemblies. The Townsend Acts were so unpopular that all the taxes were repealed, except the one on tea.
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A group of colonists hurled snowballs and rocks at British soldiers guarding the Customs House. The soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five colonists.
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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 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. -
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.
The First Continental Congress meets. Agree to boycott British goods. -
Patrick Henry, gives his most famous speech, in the House of Burgesses. “Give me Liberty or give me Death”
Battle of Bunker Hill -
Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence was approved. -
Baron Von Steuben trains the Continental Army at Valley Forge, Penn.
Patriots win in Saratoga
France signs an alliance with the United States. -
General Clinton captures 3000 Patriot soldiers as he takes Charlestown, South Carolina.
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General Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown.
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Treaty of Paris signed.
