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Proclamation of 1763
This order prohibited colonists from living west of the Appalachian Mountains, on Native American land. -
The Sugar Act
Lowered the tax on the molasses the colonists imported. -
Stamp Act
This law taxed almost all printed materials. Newspapers, wills, and even playing cards needed a stamp to show that the tax had been paid. -
Repeal of Stamp Act
People in colonial cities urged merchants to boycott goods. As the boycott spread, businesses in Britain lost money and demanded Parliament repeal the Stamp Act. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act stated that it had the right to tax and make decisions for the colonies in all cases. -
Townshend Acts
Parliament passed the Townshend Acts to tax imports such as glass, tea, and paper. The tax was paid when the goods arrived before they were brought inside the colonies. -
Boston Massacre
Violence erupted, a fight broke out between some Bostonians and soldiers. A slaughter of innocent Americans by bloodthirsty redcoats. -
Committee of Correspondence
Committee of correspondence was a group used in earlier protests. -
The Tea Act
The Tea Act gave the company nearly total control of the market for tea in the colonies. The Tea Act also removed some of the taxes on tea, making it less expensive for colonists. -
A Tea Party
three ships loaded with tea arrived in Boston Harbor. Colonists dressed as Native Americans boarded the ships and threw 342 chests of tea overboard. -
The Coercive Acts
These laws were meant to punish the colonists for resisting British authority. -
The Continental Congress.
Leaders from twelve of the thirteen colonies attended the meeting. Only Georgia did not send a representative. -
The British on the Move
Dr. Joseph Warren walked through Boston. Watching for any unusual activity by the British, he saw troops marching out of the city. -
Great Britain Sends Troops
Several thousand British troops were in and around Boston, with more on the way. -
Fort Ticonderoga Surrendered
Benedict Arnold, a captain in the Connecticut militia and Ethan Allen of nearby Vermont joined forces attack the Fort Ticonderoga. -
The Second Continental Congress
The Continental Congress agreed to meet again if the British did not address their complaints. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill.
Militia commanded by Colonel William Prescott set up posts on Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill, across the harbor from Boston. -
Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense.
Common Sense listed powerful reasons why Americans would be better off free from Great Britain. The pamphlet greatly influenced opinions throughout the colonies. -
Virginia's Richard Henry Lee offered a Bold Resolution
"That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States . . . and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." -
The Second Continental Congress voted on Lee's Resolution for Independence.
Twelve colonies voted for independence. New York did not vote but later announced its support. -
Declaration of Independence
The delegates discussed Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence. After making some changes, the delegates approved the document.
