The Growth of the Thirteen Colonies

George Grenville, prime minister of Britain, decided to act against smuggling.

Jan 1, 1763

Grenville decided to act against smuggling when Britain was losing revenue

Parliament passed the sugar act.

Apr 5, 1764

This act lowered the tax on imported molasses. Grenville hoped that this would convince colonists to pay the tax instead of smuggling.

Parliament passed the stamp act.

Mar 22, 1765

The stamp act placed a taxe on most printed material including newspapers, wills, and playing cards. All printed materials had to have a stamp.

Parliament repealed the law of the stamp act.

Mar 18, 1766

People boycotted this law. People begged Parliament to repeal the law because British merchant last so much business.

Parliament passed a set of laws that became known as the Townshend acts

Jun 15, 1767

Theses laws placed taxes only to imported goods such as glass, tea, and paper. The taxes were paid at the port of entry.

A fight broke out between bostonians an the soldiers

Mar 5, 1770

The fight was called the Boston massacre. The Boston massacure started when colonists protested.

Dr. Joseph Warren walked the streets of Boston looking for unusual activity by the British army

Apr 18, 1775

He saw a regiment form ranks in Boston Common and begin to march out of the city.

Fort Ticonderoga surrendered.

May 10, 1775

The Green Mountain Boys caught the British by surprise causing for Ticonderoga to surrender.

Thomas Pain published a pamphlet called Common Sense.

Jan 14, 1776

This pamphlet influenced opinions throughout the colonies.

Congress took up Jeffersons draft of the Declaration of Independence, which they approved with some changes.

Jul 4, 1776

Congress chose a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence.