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Proclamation of 1763
A boundary line along Appalachian Mountains that limited westward expansion. The British believed that this would reduce conflict with natives, keep expansion orderly, and give London greater control over westward expansion and economic opportunities. Colonists responded with resentment and failed to comply with the Proclamation of 1763. -
Sugar Act
Strengthened enforcement of the tax on sugar. Passed by Parliament in order to eliminate the illegal sugar trade between the continental colonies and the French and Spanish West Indies. Colonists in Boston responded with boycotts. -
Currency Act
Parliament required colonists to use British currency rather than colonial paper money. The British aimed to protect merchants from depreciated colonial currency. Colonists were upset that they could no longer use paper money and had resentment. -
Stamp Act
A tax that required a stamp be purchased when buying certain paper products. Parliament believed this was a way to pay off its debts from the French and Indian war. Colonists responded with petitions, boycotts, and violence because this was taxation without representation. -
Quartering Act
Colonists were required to provide quarters and supplies for the British troops in America. The British believed that this was fair because the troops were protecting the colonists. The colonists responded by protesting in assemblies because they did not want to pay for the British troops. -
Repeal of Stamp Act and Passage of Declaratory Act
The stamp act was repealed to appease the colonists but the Declaratory Act was passed to remind the colonists that Parliament had complete authority over the colonies. Colonists celebrated the repeal of the stamp act and ignored the declaratory act. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts taxed various products in the colonies. The British thought that this tax would be accepted by colonists because it was similar to the existing taxes. The colonists disagreed because the taxes were still from Britain. Colonists made a distinction between external and internal taxes and demanded that only they could tax themselves. Colonists responded to the Townshend Acts with boycotts, petitions, and newspaper attacks. -
Tea Act
The tea act allowed the East India Co. to export tea to the colonies without being taxed. The British though that because the tax was lower, colonists would not complain. Colonists disliked the tea act because it put colonial merchants at a disadvantage. Although the tea act lowered taxes, colonists did not like it because it was a form of taxation without representation. In response, colonists protested, boycotted, and carried out the Boston Tea Party. -
Coercive or "Intolerable" Acts
In response to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament closed the port of Boston, reduced self-government in Massachusetts, allowed royal officers to be tried in other colonies or in England when accused of crimes, and allowed the quartering of troops in colonists' barns and houses. Colonists reacted by boycotting British goods and convening the First Continental Congress. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
Location: Lexington and Concord Massachusetts
British redcoats go to Lexington where they meet colonial minutemen who are waiting for them. Shots are exchanged making this the first battle of the American Revolution. This battle rallied the rebel cause and led many colonists to join the continental army. The British retreated back to Boston making the Battle of Lexington and Concord an American victory. -
Second Continental Congress
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Created the Olive Branch Petition as a final attempt at peace with Britain. It was agreed that a continental army would be created in response to British threats. Authorized the printing of money to help pay for the war. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Location: Breed's Hill in Boston, Massachusetts
Patriot forces besieged the British army in Boston. The Patriots suffered severe casualties but inflicted even greater losses on the British. They eventually gained strategic positions in Boston and successfully drove the British out of Boston. This was the first time that Patriot forces had driven the British from American soil. -
Declaration of Independence
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Written by Thomas Jefferson, drew from Enlightenment ideas and established the U.S. as a nation. This document formally declared the United States' separation from England. One effect was that states began to operate independently. Loyalists disagreed with the Declaration of Independence. -
Battle of Saratoga
Location: Saratoga, New York
After fighting several costly engagements and being cut off from supplies, the British, led by Burgoyne, withdrew to Saratoga where Patriot forces surrounded them. The British surrender led to a Patriot alliance with France. The Battle of Saratoga is considered a major turning point in the war. -
Battle of Yorktown
Location: Yorktown, Virginia
Washington and Rochambeau marched a French-American army from New York City to join others in Virginia while de Grasse sailed with additional troops for Chesapeake Bay and the York River, catching Cornwallis between land and sea. This marked the end of the main war and an important Patriot victory. -
Treaty of Paris
This treaty ended the revolution. It recognized the U.S. as an independent nation, gave the U.S. land from Appalachians to Mississippi, and promised to remove British troops. The United States, England, France, and Spain were all involved.
