American Revolution

Proclamation of 1763

Oct 7, 1763

Issued by King George III following Britain's aqusition of French territor in North America after the end of the French and Indian War. Forbade all settlers from settling past a line drawn along the Appalachian Mountains.

Sugar Act

Apr 5, 1764

Law passed by Parliament that placed a tax on sugar, molasses, and other products shipped to the colonies. Also called harsh punishment on smugglers.

The Currency Act

Sep 1, 1764

The British ban on printing colonial money in order to alleviate British creditors' fears of being payed in the depreciated currency of the colonies.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

Passed by the British parliament. Required colonist to purchase stamps on legal documents.

Quartering Act

Mar 24, 1765

Required colonists to quarter, or house British soldiers and provide them with supplies.

Declaratory Act

Mar 18, 1766

Passed alongside the repeal of the Stamp Act. It reaffirmed Parliament's unqualified sovereighnty over the North American colonies.

The Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

The killing of five colonists by British soldiers. It was the cumination of tensions in the American colonies that had been growing since Royal troops appeared in Massachusetts in October 1768.

The Tea Act

May 10, 1773

Gave a monopoly on tea sales to the East India Company. American colonists could not buy tea unless it came from that company. Led up to Boston Tea Party

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Colonists disguised themselves as Indians, boarded ships containing shipments of tea and threw the tea overboard.

Intolerable Act

Mar 31, 1774

In response to Boston Tea Party. 4 Acts passed in 1774. Port of Boston closed, reduced power of assemblies in colonies, permitted royal officers to be tried elsewhere, provided for quartering of troops in barns and empty houses.

Quebec Act

Jun 22, 1774

Part of the Intolerable Acts, extended boundaries of Quebec and granted equal rights to Catholics and recognized legality Catholic Church in the territory; colonists feared this meant that a pope would soon oversee the colonies.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

Met to discuss their concerns over Parliament's dissoltions of the New York (for refusing to pay to quarter troops), Massachusetts (for the Boston Tea Party), and Virginia Assemblies. It rejected the plan for a unified colonial government, stated grievances against the crown called the Declaration of Rights, resolved to prepare militias, and created the Continental Association to enforce a new non-importation agreement through Committees of Vigilence. delcared colonies in rebellion

Battle of Lexington and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

Spark of the American Revolution.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

Organized the continental Army. Called on the colonies to send troops, selected George Washington to lead the army and appointed the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence.

Olive Branch Petition

Jul 5, 1775

COlonies made a final offer of peace to Britain agreeing to be loyal if the British governemtn adressed their grievances. It was rejected by Parliament.