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The French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was fought in the Americas between Britain and France's colonies. British forces greatly outnumbered the French, so the French depended on the American Indians to help in their war effort. In the end Britain and its colonies won the war. This resulted in secession of French land to Great Britain and Spain. More importantly, Britain was left in great debt that the colonies would soon have to pay. -
The Proclamation of 1763
After Great Britain's win in the French and Indian War and the acquisition of French territory, King George III declared the Proclamation of 1763. This proclamation forbade settlers to settle across a line drawn along the Appalachian Mountains. The purpose of this proclamation was to organize Britain's colonies and stabilize relations with American Indians. Instead, this created resentment within the colonies as they were looking forward to settling out into the west after the war. -
The Sugar Act of 1764
The Sugar Act was declared by the Parliament of Great Britain as a revenue raising act. the previous Molasses Act was set out to achieve the same thing, but was never actually executed and carried out. Taxes were imposed on several more goods, one of those being sugar, as taxes on molasses went down. This increased the colonist's concerns about the intent of the British Parliament. -
The Stamp Act of 1765
This Stamp Act stated that all American printed materials had to be produced on stamped paper, made in London, carrying a revenue stamp. The purpose of this tax was to help pay for British troops stationed in North America after the French and Indian War, even though the colonists argued that the soldiers were no longer needed as there was no longer a threat in the colonies. The Stamp Act was unpopular among the colonists as it was taxation without representation. -
The Quartering Act of 1765
After the French and Indian War, British officers had trouble persuading colonists to pay for quartering and provision for their troops as they marched. The Quartering Act stated that British troops and soldiers would be housed in American shelter (houses, barracks, inns, etc.) and would be fed as well. -
The Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress was the first gathering of elected representatives from several of the colonies. This congress was formed in response to the Stamp Act and to devise a unifed protest against the new British taxation. The British Parliament repealed the Stamp Act bu then declared the Declaratory Act, stating they can make laws binding the colonies in any case whatsoever. -
The Boston Massacre
British troops were stationed in Boston. Tension began as a mob formed around a British sentry. Verbal abuse and harassment ensued upon the troops. Among chaos, the troops shot into the crowd killing three people and wounding others, two would later die. The British troops would later e imprisoned and charged with death, but this incident increased tension between the colonies and Great Britain. -
The Gaspee Affair
Of the coast of Rhode Island, a British vessel named HMS Gaspee was enforcing unpopular trade regulations. A group of men led by John Brown attacked, boarded, and looted the Gaspee. The men did not try to hide their identites, and instead the captain of the Gaspee was charged for illegally seized goods. News of this went to parliament and John Brown and his men were brought to England for trial. -
The Boston Tea Party
Conducted by the Sons of Liberty, the Boston Tea Party was a politcal protest. The destroyed an entire shiment of tea from the East India Company in defiance of the Tea Act. They boarded ships and threw chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. The British government responded harshly to this incident. -
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The Intolerable Acts
After the Boston Tea Party, the British Parliament passed several laws which the American Patriots dubbed the Intolerable Acts. These laws were meant to punish Massachusett's colonies for their defiance. These acts took away their right to govern themselves and historic rights, causing outrage and resitance in the colonies. -
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The First Continental Congress
Delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies, Georgia omitted, met in Pennsylvanie for a convention in response to the Intolerable Acts. The congress met to discuss their options against Great Britain. They resulted in boycotting British goods in hope of a repeal of the Intolerable Acts. -
The Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress followed the First as all the colonies convened to manage colonial war effort. The colonies moved closer to independence. They raised armies, created strategies, appointed diplomats, and made formal treaties. -
The Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was the colonies last attempt at peace with Great Britain. The petition stated of the colonist's loyalty to Great Britain hoping to stop further conflict. However, the colonies were formally declared to be in rebellion by the Proclamation of Rebellion , as the petition was rejected. -
Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Common Sense was a pamphlet that inspired the people of the colonies to declare and fight for independence. It explained the advantages and need for immediate indepedence. It was published at the beginning of the American Revolution and became wide spread. -
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The Declaration of Independence
After a congressional meet up, John Adams pushed for American independence. Thomas Jefferson drafted up the original statement for the Declaration of Indepedence. The text was ratified on July 4, 1776. It described the reasons for the colonies indepedence against Britain was well as listing the grievences they imposed upon the colonies.
