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French/Indian War
The French/Indian War contributed to the start of the American Revolution by putting Britain in debt and in need of money. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act placed taxes on all paper goods, and was the first tax that affected the directly. This was another stepping stone in the Colonists dissent and anger with Britain.
Colonists boycotted the act until it was repealed in March of 1766. -
Townshend Act
These acts placed taxes on goods imported from Britain.
Led by Samuel Adams the colonists boycotted the acts and it was repealed not even a month later. This event showed the colonists growing strength against British oppession. -
Boston Massacre
At the Boston Masacre five colonists were murdered. The British were stationed in Boston enforcing an unpopular law when colonists were verbally harassing them, the fired into the crowd, unordered. -
The Tea Act
The East Indian Trading Company was going broke, so the British taxed every other tea except theirs in hopes that the colonists would buy their tea because it was cheaper. -
Boston Tea Party
Britains made an attempt to tax the colonists into submission to buy East Indian Trading Company's tea. Dressed as Native's the colonists decided to dump it all into the Boston Harbor instead. -
Intolerable Acts
Enraged over the Boston Tea Party, the King of England passed several outrageous laws such as shutting down the Boston Harbor and authorizing soldiers to live in peoples private homes. To keep Boston under control, it was placed under Martial Law. -
The First Continental Congress
In response to the Intolerable Acts, 56 delegates met in Philidelphia to write up a "declaration of colonial rights."
The rights included the colonists right to run themselves and fight back against British armies if they tried to use force. -
Lexington and Concord
On this occasion the British had gone to Lexington to take control of the arsenal the colonists had stockpiled. The colonists backed away as the British instructed, but did not leave their firearms. Eight Colonists were killed needlessly, adding fire the fuel of revolution.
When the British continuted onto Concord, the Colonists slaughtered the British.
Lexington and Concord gave the colonists the realization that they could overpower the British. -
The Second Continental Congress
The delegates met again in Philidelphia, and were divided over their loyalties. Some wanted reconciliation with Great Britain and others wanted Independence, but they all agreed to recognize the milita as the Continenta Army. They appointed George Washington as it's commander. -
Publishing of "Common Sense"
Thomas Paine wrote that independece would allow America to trade more freely and create a society free from tyranny. With almost 500.000 copies sold it spread the realistic ideas of a better life to the colonists.
