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French and Indian wat
This war between Britain and France ended with the victorious British deeply in debt and demanding more revenue from the colonies. With the defeat of the French, the colonies became less dependent on Britain for protection. -
Proclamation of 1763
This prohibited settlement beyond the Appalachian Mountains. While Britain did not intend to harm the colonists, many colonists took offense at this order. -
Sugar Act
This act raised revenue by increasing duties on sugar imported from the West Indies. -
Currency Act
Parliament argued that colonial currency had caused a devaluation harmful to British trade. They banned American assemblies from issuing paper bills or bills of credit. -
Committees of Correspondence
Organized by Samuel Adams, these helped spread propaganda and information through letters. -
Stamp act
A new tax was imposed on colonists, that colonists didnt like this tax would soon build up to the American revolution -
Quartering Act
Britain ordered that colonists were to house and feed British soldiers if necessary. -
Townshend acts
These taxes were imposed to help make the colonial officials independent of the colonists and included duties on glass, paper, and tea. Smugglers increased their activities to avoid the tax leading to more troops in Boston. -
Boston Massacre
The colonists and British soldiers openly clashed in Boston. This event was used as an example of British cruelty despite questions about how it actually occurred. -
Tea Act
To assist the failing British East India Company, the Company was given a monopoly to trade tea in America. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of colonists disguised as Indians dumped tea overboard from three ships in Boston Harbor. -
Intolerable Acts
These were passed in response to the Boston Tea Party and placed restrictions on the colonists including outlawing town meetings and the closing of Boston Harbor. -
First Continental Congress
In response to the Intolerable Acts, 12 of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia from September-October, 1774. One of the main results of this was the creation of The Association calling for a boycott of British goods. -
Lexington and Concord
In April, British troops were ordered to Lexington and Concord to seize stores of colonial gunpowder and to capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock. At Lexington, open conflict occurred and eight Americans were killed. -
Second Continental Congress
All 13 colonies were represented at this meeting in Philadelphia beginning May. The colonists still hoped that their grievances would be met by King George III. George Washington was named head of the Continental Army. -
Bunker Hill
This major victory for the Colonists resulted in George III proclaiming the colonies in rebellion. -
Decleration of Independence
America becomes america!