-
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War, the North American phase of the larger Seven Years’ War, began after a series of incidents in the upper Ohio River valley, which the French and British governments both claimed as their territory. -
Proclamation Act of 1763
After the conclusion of the French and Indian War in America, the British Empire began to tighten control over its rather autonomous colonies. In response to Pontiac’s Rebellion, a revolt of Native Americans led by Pontiac, an Ottawa chief, King George III declared all lands west of the Appalachian Divide off-limits to colonial settlers. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act, properly known as the American Revenue Act, was passed by Parliament on April 5, 1764. The goal of the act was to raise revenue for Britain to pay part of the cost of a standing army in North America. It began the controversy over Britain taxing the colonies when they had no representatives in Parliament — a direct cause of the American Revolution and the War for Independence. -
Stamp Act
British Parliament passed the Stamp Act to help replenish their finances after the costly Seven Years’ War with France. Part of the revenue from the Stamp Act would be used to maintain several regiments of British soldiers in North America to maintain peace between Native Americans and the colonists. -
Quartering Act
Parliament passed the Quartering Act, outlining the locations and conditions in which British soldiers are to find room and board in the American colonies. -
Townshend Act
To help pay the expenses involved in governing the American colonies, Parliament passed the Townshend Acts, which initiated taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. -
Boston Massacre
British sentries guarding the Boston Customs House shot into a crowd of civilians, killing three men and injuring eight, two of them mortally. -
Tea Act
Granted the British East India Company Tea a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies. -
Boston Tea Party
It was an act of protest in which a group of 60 American colonists threw 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor to agitate against both a tax on tea (which had been an example of taxation without representation) and the perceived monopoly of the East India Company. -
Coercive Acts
The Coercive Acts were meant to break Massachusetts Bay and to warn the other colonies of the consequences of rebellious behavior. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from twelve of Britain's thirteen American colonies met to discuss America's future under growing British aggression. -
Common Sense
Common Sense made a clear case for independence and directly attacked the political, economic, and ideological obstacles to achieving it. -
Second Continental Congress
George Washington was appointed commander in chief in the army. The later approved the Declaration of Independence and prepared the Articles of Confederation. -
Shot Heard Around the World
The opening shot of the battles of Lexington and Concord that started the Revolutionary War. -
Declaration of Independence
The document announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain.