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French and Indian War Begins
The war began between Great Britain versus the French and the North American Indians. The majority of the battles were fought in Canada. George Washington fought on the British side in this war. http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/frenchandindianwardef.htm -
French and Indian War Ends
The war lasted for 9 years and ended in 1763. The British won the war and were able to keep Canada and other places in the New World. As a result of the war, the British want to make colonists pay a large amount debt they incurred. http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/causesrevwar.htm -
Sugar Tax Act
The three-cent tax was placed on foreign refined sugar and also increased taxes on coffee, indigo, and some wine. This act also banned importation of rum and wines from France. Only certain colonists were affected by the tax. The merchants who were affected were angry. This was one of the first instances where colonists were vocal about taxation without representation. http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/sugaractdef.htm -
Sons of Liberty Formed
The Sons of Liberty were a well-organized paramilitary political organization formed by patriots. The group was established to undermine British rule in the colonies. It was influential in organizing and carrying out the Boston Tea Party. https://www.bostonteapartyship.com/sons-of-liberty -
Taxation without Representation
James Otis argued for "actual" representation in Parliament, which meant that in order to be taxed by Parliament, Americans should have actual legislators seated and voting in London. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/taxation-without-representation -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act is the first direct tax from the British on the American colonists making them pay for stamps, which had been free until that time. Every newspaper, pamphlet, and other public and legal document had to have a stamp, or British seal, on it. Colonists responded with demonstrations and the Stamp Act Congress, which gave colonists a model for the Continental Congress. http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/stampactdef.htm -
Stamp Act Repealed/Declaratory Act Passed
The British government repealed the Stamp Act because of the response from colonies. However, they passed the Declaratory Act, which said that Great Britain was the boss of the colonies. http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/stampactdef.htm -
Tea Act
This bill was designed to save the East India Company from failing by lowering its tea tax and giving it a monopoly on the American tea trade. The tax allowed the company to undercut smuggled tea, which came into America by Dutch traders. It greatly angered colonists. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-boston-tea-party -
Boston Tea Party
A group of Massachusetts colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians boarded British tea ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-boston-tea-party -
Americans Stockpile Weapons
Americans started stockpiling weapons and ammunition in violation of British laws. http://www.davekopel.org/2A/LawRev/american-revolution-against-british-gun-control.html -
Ban on Firearms
The British banned the import on firearms and gunpowder into the colonies in an attempt to stop the Americans from revolting. http://www.davekopel.org/2A/LawRev/american-revolution-against-british-gun-control.html -
Confiscation of Guns and Gunpowder
The British began confiscating firearms and gunpowder from American colonists through violent means. http://www.davekopel.org/2A/LawRev/american-revolution-against-british-gun-control.html -
Coercive Act/Intolerable Act
In response to the Boston Tea Party, the acts gave the British power to deploy an army to force colonists to abide by British laws. The Patriots of Lancaster County resolved that they would resist if the law was enforced. A South Carolina newspaper stated that any law that had to be enforced by the military was unlawful. Americans called them the Intolerable Act. http://www.davekopel.org/2A/LawRev/american-revolution-against-british-gun-control.html -
"Give me liberty or give me death!"
Patrick Henry gave a strong speech about American independence in which he ended with, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" He was a critic of the Stamp Act and introduced seven resolutions against it to the Virginia House of Burgesses. He was also the first governor of Virginia and led the fight for the adoption of the Bill of Rights. http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/patrickhenrydef.htm -
Paul Revere's Ride
Paul Revere's famous ride warned the countryside that "The British are coming!" https://www.paulreverehouse.org/the-real-story/ -
Lexington and Concord
Even though it was the "shot heard round the world", no one knows who fired first. Both sides opened fire and the Americans were forced to withdraw from Lexington, but they had slowed the British advance to Concord. By the time the Redcoats got to Concord, the Americans were waiting for them. The weapons depot was saved. The British retreated. http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/lexingtonconcorddef.htm -
Common Sense and the Crisis
Thomas Paine wrote pamphlets, including Common Sense and The Crisis, which inspired the American population and furthered the Revolutionary cause. http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/thomaspainedef.htm -
Second Continental Congress Meets
They met in Philadelphia. On the following day, 12 of the 13 colonies voted in favor of the motion for independence made by Richard Henry Lee. The language, which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, was debated and revised over the next two days. http://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-declaration-of-independence -
Declaration of Independence Adopted
The date is celebrated as Independence Day in America even though the declaration had not been signed, yet. It took another month for the signing. New York delegates didn’t officially support it until July 9 because they had to wait for authorization to vote in its favor by from their home assembly. Then, it took two weeks for the Declaration to be clearly written on parchment paper. http://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-declaration-of-independence -
Declaration of Independence Signed
Most of the delegates signed the document on August 2nd. http://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-declaration-of-independence
