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French and Indian War
French and Indian War documentaryThe French and Indian war was started in the Ohio Valley by George Washington. It was known throughout the world as the seven years war. France was successful at first, due to its defending of frontier forts. The British eventually took Louisburg at the mouth of the St Lawrence River. They then went on to defeat the French at Montreal and Quebec, winning them the war. -
Proclamation of 1763
Extra details on the Proclamation The proclamation of 1763 was a law that became active towards the end of the French and Indian war. It forbade colonists form settling beyond the Appalachian Mountains. The colonists were no longer proud to be British citizens because of this law. It cause the first major revolt against the British. The British claimed it was to help the relations with the natives in the area. Many still headed west in defiance of the proclamation. -
Stamp Act
The stamp act was imposed to raise revenues to support the new military force. It mandated the use of stamped paper or the affixing of stamps, certifying payment of tax. Stamps were required on bills of about fifty trade items and certain types of commercial and legal documents including playing cards, pamphlets, newspapers, diplomas, bills of lading, and marriage licences. -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act required certain colonies to provide food and quarters for the British troops. Some colonial assemblys defiantly refused to comply with the Quartering Act, or voted only a fraction of the supplies that it called for. -
Sugar Act
The sugar act was the first law ever passed for raising tax revenue in the colonies for the crown. It increased the duty on foreign sugar imported from the West Indies. After protests from the colonists, the duties were lowered and agitiation died down. -
Stamp Act Congress
In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress brought together, in NYC, 27 distinguished delegates from nine colonies. The members drew up a statement of their rights and grievances and requested the king and parliament repeal the hated legislations. The meetings ripples began to eroude sectional boundaries, for it had brought together around the same table, leaders from the different and rival colonies. -
Declaratory Act
This act was passed by parliament. It reaffirmed their right to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever, whether it be right to tax, enforcement of laws, or crown prerogatives over its colonies in general. It established British customs service in America. "Tidesman" were sent aboard vessels, particularly in Boston, before unloading could begin. -
British troops occupy Boston
research on British occupation British troops were sent to Boston to enforce the Townshend Acts, which were taxes on lead, tea, paper, and paint. They were also supposed to clamp down on local radicals. Their pressence did not sit well with the locals and lead to many street fights. It lead to the Boston Massacre, or also known as the incident on King Street. -
Boston Massacre
A crowd of about 60 townspeople in Boston were harrassing ten red coats. One got hit in the head, another got hit by a club. Without orders, but heavily provoked, the troops opened fired, wounding or killing eleven "innocent citizens", including Crispus Attucks, a black former slave and "leader" of the mob in the Boston Massacre. He became a symbol of freedom. Only two redcoats were prosecuted. -
Townshend Acts repealed except for tea tax
Information researched on the townshend acts repealed. British parliament was forced to repeal all of the Townshend acts except the tax on tea, which outraged the colonists the most. There were many protests and the most common phrase heard was no taxation without representation. The colonists decided not to import British goods and to boycott any goods imported in violation of their non importation agre -
Boston Tea party
Members of the Sons of Liberty, lead by Samuel Adams, went to the Boston Harbor disguised as Indians. They opened 342 chests of tea and dumped it into the ocean. People in Anapolis did the same and burnt the ships to water level. Reactions ranged from approval to outrage. Because of this event, the intolerable acts came about to punish the colonists. -
"Intolerable Acts"
example of one of the intolerable act documents
Parliament punished the people of Massachusetts for their actions in the Boston tea party. The acts restricted colonists rights. They made restrictions on town meetings, and officials who killed colonists in the line of duty would be sent back to Britain for trial. The Boston Harbor was also closed until damages could be paid. All government jobs were taken away from colonists. -
First Contiental Congress
Delegates met in Philidelphia in order to adress colonial grievances over the intolerable acts. The 13 colonies, excluding Georgia, sent 55 men to the convention. After 7 weeks of deliberation, the Congress drew up several papers. It included the Declaration of Rights and solemn appeals to other British colonies, to the king, and to the British people. They decided that they would meet again in a year if the problems weren't resolved. -
Battle of Concord
After the Battle of Lexington, the British went on to Concord where they were met with a lot of resistance from the colonists. There were over 300 casualties and 70 deaths. The British had war rather than a rebellion on their hands. -
Battle of Lexington
A British commander in Boston sent a detachment of troops into Lexington. They were to seize provions of colonial gunpowder and capture "rebel" ringleaders John Hancock and Samuel Adams. 8 colonists were shot and killed. This battle was proceded by the Battle of Concord. -
Quebec Act
This act gave Catholic Fench Canadians religous freedom and restored the French form of civil law; and nullified many of the western claims of the coast colonies by extending the boundaries of Quebec. It also gave a new governor and council to govern affairs in Quebec. This act was regarded as part of the Intolerable Act even though it had nothing to do with the colonies. -
Second Continental Congress
They met in Philidelphia a year after the first continental congress met. There were three delegates added to the congress, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Hancock. They took on governmental duties and selected George Washington as commander in chief. On July 4, 1776, they selected the Declaration of Independence.The congress started witht he Battles of Lexington and Concord. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
After the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Bunker Hill occurred. Its real name was Breeds Hill. It was a hill overlooking Boston. The colonists were slaughtering the redcoats climbing the hill until the militia ran out of ammo. They were forced to abandon the hill but it was considered a moral victory for the patriots. The British had over 800 wounded and 226 killed. -
Thomas Paines common sense
researched information on common sense pamphletCommon sense was a pamphlet created by Thomas Paine. It was an inspirational best seller and sold over 120,00 copies. He wrote and reasoned in a style that common people could understand. It was structured like a sermon and used biblical references to get his point across. At first the pamphlet was annonymous and called "Plain Truth". -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were taxes put on lead, paper, paint, and tea, which were all later repealed except for tea. They were to be earmarked to pay the salaries of the royal governors and judges in America. From Londons standpoint this was a reform, long overdue. The colonists regarded the Townshend tax as another way to enchain them. After the London Government passed the Townshend acts, they suspended the legislature of New York.
