Understanding Colonial Unrest

Proclamation of 1763

Oct 7, 1763

This English law will not let colonists settle west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Sugar Act of 1764

May 4, 1764

Imported molasses is taxed. The only molasses not taxed is from the British West Indies.

Currency Act

Sep 1, 1764

There are no gold or silver mines and currency could only be obtained through trade. Colonists were not allowed to print own money. If they did, they wouldn't be able to trade.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

Parliament passed law that colonists had to pay anything that needed a stamp. They had to have special stamp or it will be illegal.

Quartering Act

Mar 24, 1765

Colonists give English soldiers food and shelter at no cost

Stamp Act taken away

Mar 17, 1766

Protesting by colonists makes England repeal (take away) the Stamp Act

Declaratory Act

Mar 18, 1766

Parliament had the right to rule and tax colonies

Townshend Act

Jun 29, 1767

England put more taxes on goods coming into America, including tea,lead, glass and paint

Writs of Assistance

Nov 20, 1767

Colonoists are smuggling. That way they won't be taxed. England wants to cut down on smuggling. Search warrants make it legal for English soldiers to come into homes of colonists to look for smuggled goods.

Townshend Act Repealed; Tax on Tea kept

Mar 1, 1770

The colonists boycott english goods to show they do not like taxes. England takes away the Townshend Act taxes. But England keeps tax on imported tea.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

Fighting breaks out between soldiers and colonists in Boston. When the dust cleared, five Bostonians were dead and ten were injured.

Intolerable Acts

Dec 1, 1773

England feels it must punish colonists for the 'tea party". England closes BostonHarbor until tea is paid for. English soldiers will stay in the Boston Area for awhile to keep an eye on the colonists.

Tea Act

Dec 16, 1773

The British East India company can sell tea to colonial merchants who belong to the company. These merchants can sell tea cheaper than other merchants.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Since the colonists were sick of the laws, they dressed up as Indians, went to Boston Harbor, and dumped 100 pounds of tea into the water.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

Was a convention of delegates from each colony. They had meetings at Carpenters Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Lexington and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

First military engagements of the American Revolutionary War.