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Sugar Act
Reduced tax on molasses, but was enforced so colonists ended up paying more taxes. -
Patriots
Those who opposed the British taxes called themselves "Patriots" and the Sons of Liberty was born with Sam Adams as its leader. -
Stamp Act
Tax on printed items was the first direct tax on the colonists. It added a fee to printed materials such as legal documents and newspaper. -
Quartering Act
Following the French and Indian War, Britain maintained a standing army in the colonies. The Quartering Act required colonial assemblies to house and provision soldiers. -
Sons of Liberty Mob
Mob led by Sons of Liberty tore down the office and damaged the house of the stamp collector. -
Declatory Act
Repealed the Stamp Act but asserted Parliment's right to rule the colonies as saw fit. -
Townshend Acts
Import taxes on a variety of goods were collected to support royal officials in the colonies, removing the responsibility from the colonial assemblies. The Townsend Acts were so unpopular that all the taxes were repealed, except the one on tea. -
Guarding the Customs House
Group of colonist hurled snowballs and rocks at British soldiers guarding the Customs House. The soldiers fired into the crowd, killing 5 colonists. -
Tea Act
Was created to save the East India Tea Company. Although it lowered the price of tea, it gave the company a monopoly and threatened the business of colonial importers. -
Tea Dumping
Boston Patriots dressed as Indians, boarded three British ships laden with tea and dumped the tea into the harbor. The event became known as the Boston Tea Party. -
Intolerable Act
Laws meant to force Massachusetts to pay for the tea destroyed in the Boston Tea Party. The laws closed Boston Harbor and forced colonists to house British soldiers in their homes. -
First Continental Congress
Agree to boycott British goods. -
Olive Branch
Congress sends an "Olive Branch" to King George III. He rejected the petition and sent more troops to Boston. -
"Give me Liberty or give me death"
Patrick Henry gives his most famous speech, in the House of Burgesses. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
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Second Continental Congress
Congress names George Washington commander of Continental Army. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
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Common Sense
Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense. -
Declaration of Independence Approved
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence was approved. -
Patriots Win
Patriots win in Saratoga. -
Training of Continental Army
Baron Von Steuben trains the Continental Army at Valley Forge, Penn. (1777-1778) -
France Signs
France signs an alliance with the United States. -
3,000 Patriot Soldiers
General Clinton captures 3,000 Patriot soldiers as he takes Charlestown, South Carolina -
General Cornwallis
General Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown. -
Treaty of Paris
Treaty was signed.
