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Proclamation of 1763
After the wars with native americans tribes, a law was created, that drew an imaginary line on the Appalachian Mountains. Colonists were not allowed to settle area west of the line in order to keep peace with the Native Americans. -
Sugar Act of 1764
Parliament passed a modified version of a former law, taxing six percent on foreign molasses to the colonists. This law decreased the rum industry, and many more. -
Stamp Act of 1765
Another law from Parliament where colonists had to pay a tax on every printed paper they used. Things such as legal documents, ship papers, even playing cards were taxed. All papers were required to have a special stamp. -
Quartering Act of 1765
A law passed by Parliament where colonists were forced to house soldiers, offering bedding, cooking utensils, firewood, beer or cider, and candles. This law was made so instead of the British goverment paying the soldiers for their service, their expenses would be paid for by the colonists -
Stamp Act Congress
A congress made up of delgates from nine out of the thirteen colonies. The message was to tell Britain, NO TAXATION, WITHOUT REPRESENTATION! Although the members argued and split, this was the first look at the unity needed to declare independence. -
Declaratory Act of 1766
A law that repealed the Stamp act, but stated that Parliament holds the same power in Britain in America. -
Townshend Acts of 1767
A law that added tax to glass, paint, oil, lead, paer, and tea. This caused hostility in the colonies like the stamp act -
Boston Massacre of 1770
A street fight between unwelcomed soldeirs and 50 "patriots". Five "patriots" were killed. This event was the start of strong hatrid between England and America. -
Tea Act of 1773
The final spark to the revolutionary movement in Boston. Parliament sent over about 18 million pounds of unsold tea to be sold in the colonies at bargain price to help the East India Company. This also undercut local merchants. -
Boston Tea Party
Massachusetts patriots protested against the tea importes from parliament. In a midnight raid, they seized 342 chests of tea on 3 ships and threw them in the harbor. -
Coercive Acts of 1774
A series of laws passed by parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party. It closed the harbor of Boston until the East India Company was compensated for their tea. The royal governer took control of Massachusetts, and the right to quarter soldiers wherever they wanted in the colonies. A.K.A. The Intolerable Acts. -
Quebec Act of 1774
Passed by parliament this act placed a permanent administration replacing the temporary government created at the time of the Proclamation of 1763. This gave French Canadians religious freedom and restored the French form of civil law. -
1st Continental Congress
A meeting in Carpenters hall from September 5th to October 26th. Delgates from every state except Georgia came to show a combined authority to Britain. They came up with the idea of making a Grand Council, the equivalent of the English Parliament, and a president general, the equivalent of the king to represent America. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
When the british planned to attack Lexington and Concord to capture colonial leader Sam Adams and John Hancock. American Spies told theam, and militia formed to defend the British who were attacking by sea. The british and the americans met on the Lexington Green and the first shot is known as the "shot heard round the world" -
2nd Continental Congress
The second continental congress met in the state house in Philadelphia. In this meeting, they discussed some battles, named New England militia encamped outside of Boston as the Continental Army, and named George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental army. -
Olive Branch Petition
A pettion approved by the Continental Congress and sent to King George, that attemped to assert the rights of colonists while staying loyal to the crown. Read by the king on August 23 and proclaimed the colonists had "proceeded to open and avowed rebellion." -
Declaration of Independence
Signed by the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1775 declaring the independence of the Thirteen States from England, who at the time they were at war with. This document was a description of why the congress voted on July 2nd to declare independence. Independence day is celebrated on this date, July 4th.
