Events Leading up to The American Revolution

Sugar Act

Apr 5, 1764

The Sugar Act was a tax on the colonists passed by Parliament in order to pay off a war debt. This act put a tax on sugar and other goods being imported into the colonies of the New World.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

The Stamp Act was a tax on the colonists passed by Parliament. This act put a tax on all legal paper items such as stamps, marriage licenses, mortgages, insurances, playing cards, newspapers, etc. This act was the first crisis leading up to the American Revolution. "No taxation without representation."

Townshend Acts

Jan 1, 1767

The Townshend Acts were a series of acts passed by Parliament beginning in 1767 that put a tax on paper, paint, tea, glass, lead, etc. These acts led to protests and boycotting of goods by the colonists. This was the second crisis leading up to the American Revolution.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

The Boston Massacre took place when British troops fired into a crowd of angry protesters and killed 5 colonists. This event scared the colonists which calmed things down for a short period of time.

Tea Act

May 10, 1773

The Tea Act was a tax passed by Parliament in order to preserve the East India Tea Company. This tax angered the colonists which led to the Boston Tea Party, a group of colonists who protested this act by raiding ships and dumping tea into the Boston Harbor.

Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)

Mar 24, 1774

The Coercive Acts, also known as the Intolerable Acts, were acts passed by Parliament to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party and other protests. A group of colonists known as the Continental Congress met in response to these acts.