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Proclamation of 1763
This proclamation did not allow colonists to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. The Bristish government feared the conflict between colonists and Native Americans would lead to another war. They also could not afford to pay British troops to defend the western lands. Colonists were enraged by this proclamation because they felt they had won the right to settle in the Ohio River Valley after winning the French and Indian War. -
Quartering Act
Parliament passed the Quartering Act in 1765. It requires colonists to house British soldiers and provide British soldiers with supplies. The money that was saved was used to pay off the war debt. The colonists were upset and many of them refused to house the troops. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act is when all documents were required to have an official stamp. The stamp on a document shows that the tax has been paid off. Colonial leaders called for resistance to tax. Colonial merchants boycotted British goods. Sons of Liberty protested British policies. Parliament ended up repealing the Stamp Act. -
Townshend Act
Parliament passed the Townshend Act to raise revenue. It places duties, imports taxes on glass, paint, lead, tea, and other goods. Colonists felt it violated their natural rights. -
Tea Act; Boston Tea Party
Parliament passed the Tea Act which gave tax on tea and gave Britain control over American tea trade. This angered the colonial shippers and merchants. In the Boston Tea Party, the Sons of Liberty threw the tea over the ship to protest the Tea Act. -
Intolerable Acts
Parliament passed the Intolerable Act (Coercive Act) which closed the port of Boston until colonists payed for the destroyed tea. It also allowed Britain to house troops whenever necessary and allowed British officials accused of crimes to stand trial. The colonists were angered by the Intolerable Act. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was drafted by moderates in Congress. In the Olive Branch Petition, it asks the king to restore harmony between Britain and the colonies. Some members opposed the petition, but signed it anyway as a last hope. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
In the battles of Lexington and Concord, seven-hundred British troops reached Lexington and were met by 70 militiamen. British troops fight militiamen and minutemen (trained to act at any minute) in Concord. British troops were forced to retreat. In Lexington, the militiamen and minutemen were forced to retreat. Lexington and Concord were the first battles of the Revolutionary War. -
Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. It stood for the independence of the colonies. The Declaration of Independence states that people have rights that government cannot take away. It also states that colonists can form a new government if the previous government disregards their rights.