Timeline

Proclamation of 1763

Oct 7, 1763

In the Proclamation of 1763, the British forbade the colonies from settling anywhere west of Appalachia. Colonists disliked this proclamation because it placed restrictions on trade and it kept them from good farmland. Others were also upset because they were being forced to leave their settlements that happened to be west of Appalachia.

Sugar Act

Apr 5, 1764

The Sugar Act outlawed the importation of foreign rum and placed taxes on wine, silk, coffee, and other luxury items. Colonists openly protested the Sugar Act because of the recession that it was causing within the American economy. They formed a boycott against luxury items in response to this act and, because of overwhelming anger from the colonists, Parliament decided to repeal the Sugar Act in 1765.

Currency Act

Sep 1, 1764

The Currency Act placed bans on the printing and use of paper bills in the colonies. This act only allowed colonists to make payments using either gold or silver; paper bills were not allowed to used for paying off any debts. The colonists constantly suffered shortages in currency, while also struggling to obtain gold and silver for conducting trade. They responded to this act through protests, arguing that a shortage of currency was causing a recession in trade between them and Great Britain

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

The Stamp Act placed taxes on stamps that were used on newspapers, broadsides, pamphlets, licenses, leases, and other legal documents. The colonists felt very strongly against the Stamp Act, and many protests occurred in response to this law. They felt that it was unfair to tax them because they had no representatives for them in the British Parliament. This is what they called “taxation without representation.”

Quartering Act

Mar 24, 1765

The Quartering Act was a law that required colonists to provide equipment for the troops to use and barracks for them to be housed in. If barracks were not available, then colonists were required to house them in other buildings like barns, hotels, and sometimes their homes. They felt that this, along with the other laws that were passed with it, took away their basic freedoms. This act helped to unite the colonies against the British and push closer to a revolution.

Declaratory Act

Mar 18, 1766

The Declaratory Act was a law that stated the British had the power to pass laws and make taxes in the colonies, which bound the colonists to the legislation of Parliament. Because of the repeal of the Stamp Act, the colonies were slightly unfazed by the passing of the Declaratory Act. However, once they realized its significance, they saw it unfair to tax and make laws for the colonies if no one is representing them in the British Parliament.

Townshend Acts

Jun 29, 1767

The Townshend Acts placed taxes on imported paper, paint, lead, glass, and tea. This law also gave British officials the right to search colonists’ homes and businesses, and it set up new courts in the colonies. This act upset the colonies because they felt it was unfair of Parliament to place taxes on them without representation. Many protests and rebellions stemmed from this law, and eventually led to several people being killed in what is now known as the Boston Massacre.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

In the Boston Massacre, a harmless snowball fight between the British soldiers and the colonists turned into a brutal mob attack. An order was given to fire, and violence ensued. Three citizens of Boston were left dead in the aftermath of this incident, and it further proved the "heartlessness and tyranny" of the British to the colonies. They used this event as more reason to rebel against Great Britain.

Tea Act

May 10, 1773

The Tea Act gave the East India Company monopoly on the importation and sale of tea in the colonies.

The Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

The Boston Tea Party was an act of rebellion against the taxes that were being enforced. In this event, a band of colonists, led by Samuel Adams, disguised themselves at Mohawk Indians, boarded three ships on the Boston Harbor and dumped its tea cargo. This was an act of precaution, the colonists fearing the tea would be bought and its taxes would be paid. Some colonists were thrilled at the fact that a stand had been taken against this tax, but others voiced disapproval against their actions.

Coercive/Intolerable Acts

Mar 28, 1774

The Coercive, or Intolerable, Acts were a series of four laws established by Parliament that aimed to restore order in Boston after the Boston Tea Party. The laws included in this were the Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act, Quartering Act, and the Quebec Act. These laws were expected to prevent resistance against British rule . However, colonists aided the city in these laws through sending supplies and organizing a resistance against British rule.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

The First Continental Congress were a group of colonial delegates that met in Philadelphia at the request of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In this meeting, they discussed the "present unhappy state of the colonies." In order to make changes to the British government, the delegates needed to mutually agree on what they wished to be changed. The colonists were supportive of the First Continental Congress, as they approved of their plan to discuss changes to the government and compromise.