-
French and Indian War
French and Indian War May 28: The fourth and arguably the most important French and Indian War (1754-1763) kicks off when British and French and Indian forces clash near Fort Duquesne (present-day Pittsburgh) for control of the Ohio River Valley. -
Proclamation of 1763
Proclamation of 1763: Was issued by King George III, followed the Treaty of Paris. It prohibited settlers from crossing into the west over the Appalachian Mountains. This was to prevent more conflicts between the settlers and the Native Americans. -
The Sugar Act
Sugar Act 1764: To maintain the army and repay war debts, Parliament decided to impose charges on trade. The Sugar Act, imposed duties on foreign wines, coffee, textiles, and indigo imported into the colonies. Colonial vessels were required to fill out papers about cargo and destination. The royal navy patrolled the coast, in search of smugglers. Smugglers were then tried in a court without a jury. -
Stamp Act 1765
Stamp Act 1765: Parliament passes the Stamp Act to increase revenue and pay for the militarily defending the colonies. It imposed a tax on legal documents, almanacs, newspapers, pamphlets, and playing cards. This was the first direct tax Parliament levied on the colonies. Violators were tried in courts without juries.Colonists protested the Stamp Act because it raised the issue of taxation without representation and it deprived colonists of the right to trial by jury. -
Quartering Act
Quartering Act 1765: Parliament approved the Quartering Act, requiring the colonies to provide shelter and food for British soldiers in the colonies. In addition they were also to provide them with candles, bedding, and beverages. -
Townshend Acts
Townshend Acts 1767: The Townsend Acts require the colonists to pay an import duty on tea, glass, oil, lead, paper, and paint. Charles Townshend, imposed the new duties on imports to the colonies. The Townshend Acts also expanded on the the customs service. Revenue from the acts paid the salaries of colonial governors and judges and prevented colonial legislatures from exercising the power of money over these officials. -
Boston Massacre
Boston Massacre 1770: British soldiers fired on a Boston crowd, killing five and wounding six. The crowd of men and boys had been throwing snowballs and ice chunks at them. In the following trial, John Adams defended the soldiers, arguing that the crowd had rushed them, taunted them and striking at their muskets with sticks and clubs. All but two of the soldiers were acquitted of murder. The two soldiers that were found guilty, were branded on the thumb and discharged from the army. -
Tea Act
1773: Parliament passed the Tea Act it sanctioned the East India Company to avoid American wholesalers. Making English tea cheaper.Parliament passed the Tea Act to act to save the East India Company form bankruptcy. -
Boston Tea Party
1773 Boston Tea Party: Boston colonists, disguised as Mohawk Indians, boarded vessels and dumped 342 canisters of tea worth 18,000 pounds sterling into the harbor. The British government responded by closing Boston harbor; changed the Massachusetts charter; forbid town meetings; called for the housing of troops; moved trials outside the colonies if royal officials are accused; and named a general as royal governor. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts or Coercive Acts 1774: In revenge for the Boston Tea Party, the British Parliament enacts the "Intolerable Acts," closing Boston harbor until payment for the tea was made. May 20: Two more acts forbid public meetings in Massachusetts and transfer the trial of a British official accused to England or another colony. June 2: The Quartering Act, another of the "Intolerable Acts," requires Massachusetts residents to house and feed British troops in their homes. -
First Continental Congress
First Continental Congress 1774: In September, the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia.The purpose was resistance to British policies. It declared that all trade with Britain should be suspended. All 13 colonies except Georgia are represented. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Battles of Lexington and Concord 1775: On April 18, Revere and Dawes warned of the approach of British. Concord's militia moved or destroyed supplies and prepared to defend. April 19, redcoats arrived at Lexington, ordered 70 armed men to disperse. A shot drew fire from the British killing eight Americans. The British moved on Concord, then returned to Boston. Americans fired from cover. Losses: British 65 dead, 173 wounded, 26 MIA; American 49 dead and 46 wounded/missing.