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French and Indian War begins
Between the British (and Americans) and the French, along with any Indian allies, over the Ohio River Valley. The French were defeated in 1763, making England the number one world power. It was also called the 7 Years War, because it lasted for 7 years, ending in 1763. -
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Leading to Revolution
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Proclamation of 1763
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Sugar Act
The first law ever passed by Parliament for raising tax revenue in the colonies for the crown. It increased the duty on foreign sugar imported from the West Indies, and caused much protest from the colonists. -
Stamp Act
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Quartering Act
The Quartering Act of 1765 required certain colonies to provide food and quarters for British troops. -
Stamp Act Congress
THE DECLARATION OF RIGHTS OF THE STAMP ACT CONGRESSThere was a total of 27 delegates from 9 of the 13 colonies, and they met in NYC. The congress helped toward colonial unity, and worked to get the STamp Act repealed in 1766. -
Declaratory Act
This act was signed just as the Stamp Act was being repealed. It stated that Parliament had the right "to bind" the colonies in all cases. Violence was stopped against Stamp Act, and trade was restarted with England. -
Townshend Acts
Charles Townshend persuaded parliament to pass the Townshend Acts in 1767, which put light import duties on glass, white lead, paper, paint, and tea. The ended up being repealed. -
British Troops Occupy Boston
British landed 2 regiments of troops in Boston to try and keep order. The soldiers were drunken and profane characters. Colonists taunted these "Red Coats". Tension eventually led to Boston Massacre. -
Townshend Acts repealed, excpet for tea tax
The Townshend Acts had failed to produce the revenue the British had hoped for, and caving in to pressures, all but the tea tax were repealed. This caused much discontent in America, and added to their rebellious fuel. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre took place in the street on Boston. A group of 60 townspeople gathered and were harassing a small squad of Red Coats one of whom was hit with a club, and another who was knocked down. Apparently without orders, the troops opened fire, killing 5 men and boys, and wounding 6. -
Boston Tea Party
The Sons of Liberty desguised themselves as Indians and dumped 342 crates of tea into the sea to protest the tax on tea, and to prevent the low prices from tempting the colonists to purchase it. -
First Continental Congress
It was held in Philidelphia and lasted for 7 weeks. They gathered in response to the "Intolerable Acts", and to consider ways of redressing colonial grievances. 12 of the 13 colonies came, sending 55 men in all. Among the men were George Washington, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Patrick Henry. -
"Intolerable Acts"
The Intolerable Acts were a series of acts aimed at Boston, but effected all colonies because one act closed Boston Harbor until all damages were paid from the Boston Tea Party. Many of the chartered rights of Massachusetts were taken away. -
Quebec Act
The French were guaranteed their Catholic religion, and were permitted to retain many of their old customs, which didn't include trial by jury or a representative assembly. Also, the old boundaries of Quebec were extended south all the way to the Ohio River. -
Battle of Lexington
A detachment of British troops was sent first to Lexington with the intentions of seizing stores of colonial gunpowder, and bagging Samuel Adams and John Hancock. The American Minute Men didn't disperse fast enough, causing 8 dead Americans, and several more wounded. -
Battle of Concord
Battles of Lexington and Concord MapAfter their victory at Lexington, the British continued on to Concord with the same intentions. However, they were met with ready Americans, forcing them to retreat. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
A tiny American force under Benedict Arnold captured British garrisons at Ticonderoga and Crown Point in NY. The colonists then seized what is now known as Bunker Hill, and the British launched a full frontal attack. The Americans killed many British, but ran out of gunpowder and were forced to abandon the hill. -
Second Continental Congress
13 of the 13 colonies came to the Second Continental Congress, held in Philidelphia, with much more on their plate. They agreed that a Continental Army was to be created, and that General George Washington was to be commander. In order to pay for the army, the congress authorized the printing of money -
Thomas Paine's Common Sense
A best-seller, sold 120, 000 copies in just a few months. In it, Paine preached common sense, saying that it doesnt make sense for the smaller body to control the larger one, meaning why is England controlling America when it is a small island and America a large continent.
