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Stamp Act
This act imposed a tax on documents and printed items such as wills, newspapers, and playing cards. This would lead to general discontent with the colonial people. -
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American Revoltion Events
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Sons of Liberty
Colonial men and women banded together to boycott the Stamp Act forming a resitance group. The Son of Liberty thus came into efftect, composed of shopkeepers to everyday laborers. -
Declaratory Act
The widespread boycott worked, forcing parliment to repeal the Stamp Act, however the Declaratory Act was passed the same day. This act enabled parliment "to bind the coloniex and people of America in all cases whatsoever." -
Townshend Act
The Townshend Acts taxed goods that were imported into the colony from Britain, such as lead, glass, paint, and paper. In addition, the acts imposed a tax on teas, the most popular drink of the populace that resisded withing the colonies.. -
Boston Massacre
A mob of colonial men and women gathered in front of the Boston Customs House and taunted the British soldiers standing guard there. The soldiers opened fire and five colonists were killed. This led to a strong tension. -
Tea Act
Lord North devised the Tea Act of 1773 in order to save the rapidaly failing East India Tea Company. This act granted the East India Tea Company to be exempt from taxes when selling to the colonies. Unfortunetly, it cut out the colonial tea sellers. -
Boston Tea Party
Enraged by the Tea Act, a group of Boston rebels took matters into their own hands. On December 16, 1773, a large group dressed themselves up as Native Americans and dumped 18,000 pounds of East India Company tea in the waters of the Boston harbor. -
1st Continental Congress
In respose to Britian's actions, 56 delegates met in Philadelphia and drew up a declaration of colonial rights. They defended the colonies' right to run their own affairs and ordeals. -
Intolerable Acts
An infuriated King George III pressured for parliment to punish the colonists. The Intolerable Acts were in turn passed. These acts enabled the Boston harbor to be shut down, forced the populace to house soldiers, and placed Boston under martial law. -
Fighting at Lexington and Concord
Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Precott rode out to spread the word the British troops were heading for Concord. Minutemen gathered to stop the troops at Lexington, but were easily defeated within 15 minutes. However, by the time the arrived at Concord, the minutemen ammased between 3,000 and 4,000 troops. The fired and took down many Brits, ending in their humiliating defeat. -
2nd Continental Congress
Colonial leaders called the 2nd Continental Congress to debate their next move with Britain. Some members argued for independece while others wished to stay loyal. Congress formed the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as its commander. -
Common Sense
Written by Thomas Paine, this 50 page pamphlet attacked King George III and the monarchy. It was an instant hit, selling over 500,000 copies and convincing many o fight for the cause of liberty. -
Declaration of Independence
Virginia lawyer Thomas Jefferson was chosen to prepare the final draft. This Declaration listed our grievences aswell as stated our right to abolish/alter governement that violates our unalienable rights. -
Battle of NY
Hoping for a quick end to the rebellion, the British sailed a huge number of war ships and troops into New York harbor. They included thousands of mercenaries, most of which were German. The British easily defeated the Americans here. -
Battle of Trenton
After suffering defeat at the hands of the British, Washington was desperate for a morale boosting vicotry. On Christmas night, Washington set out across the icy Delaware River and defeated the German mercenaries at Trenton, New Jersey. The Americans now had their very first victory. -
Battle of Saratoga
American troops laid seige to Saratoga, where British general Burgoyne held his troops. Realizing his allies were preoccupied with Philidelphia and not coming to his aid, Burgoyne surrendered. This American victory finally persuaded the French to fully support us in the war. -
Battle of Yorktown
By late September, Washington and Lafayette surrounded British general Cornwallis and his troops at Yorktown. French navy then blocked the Chesapeake Bay, cutting off supply lines to the city. General Cornwallis finally surrendered, and the Americans shocked the world. The war was now over. -
Treaty of Paris
In September, 1783, the delegates met to sign the Treaty of Paris to establish peace. The Treaty confirmed U.S. independence and set the boundries of the fresh nation.
