Key Events Leading to American Independence

By alicho
  • The Townshend Acts

    The Townshend Acts
    An act for granting certain duties in the British colonies and plantations in America
  • The Boston Massacre

    The Boston Massacre
    It was the culmination of tensions in the American colonies that had been growing since Royal troops first appeared in Massachusetts to enforce the heavy tax burden imposed by the Townshend Acts.
  • The Boston Tea Party

    The Boston Tea Party
    A direct action by colonists in Boston, a town in the British colony of Massachusetts, against the British government.
  • First Continental Congress

    First Continental Congress
    The representatives gathered to discuss their response to the British "Intolerable Acts." They met to discuss their relationship with Britain, and how to assert their rights with the British government. They wanted to appear as united colonies in their reply to Britain. The purpose of the First Continental Congress was not to seek independence from Britain.
  • Second Continental Congress Called

    Second Continental Congress Called
    A convention where congress decided to completely break away from Great Britain and decided to officially put the colonies in a state of defense, leading towards independence.
  • Declaration of Independence

    Declaration of Independence
    To announce and explain the separation from Great Britain.
  • Articles of Confederation Passed

    Articles of Confederation Passed
    Constitution for the United States, later replaced by the creation of the current United States Constitution.
  • The Treaty of Paris

    The Treaty of Paris
    The Treaty of Paris was signed by U.S. and British Representatives, ending the War of the American Revolution.
  • Stamp Act Congress

    Stamp Act Congress
    The Stamp Act Congress convened with nine colonies in attendance and approved a 14-point Declaration of Rights and Grievances