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Writ of Assistance
The royal governor of Massachusetts authorized the use of writs of assistance, a general search warrant that allowed British customs to search any colonial ship or building they believed to be smuggling goods. British officials could enter colonists' homes without evidence, this angered the merchants of Boston. -
Sugar Act & Colonists' Response
The Sugar Act cut the duty on foreign made molasses in half, placed duties on certain imports that weren't taxed before, and stated that colonists who violated this act would be tried in a vice-admiralty court instead of a colonial court. This angered merchants and colonists because they believed Parliament had no right to tax them due to the fact they did not elect representatives to the body. -
Sons of Liberty and Samuel Adams
To protest the law, colonists unified and formed a resistance group called the Sons of Liberty composed of shopkeepers, artisans, and laborers from Boston. One of the founders of the group was Samuel Adams, who led the colonists to boycott British goods. -
Declaratory Act
This act asserted Parliament's full right "to bind the colonies and people of America in all cases whatsoever". -
Townshend Acts
These acts were named after Charles Townshend, the leading government minister, and taxed goods imported into the colony from Britain, such as lead, glass, paint, and paper. The colonists responded by boycotting British goods. Prime minister Lord Frederick North, realized the Townshend Acts cost more to enforce than what they were gaining from it. He persuaded Parliament to repeal the Townshend Acts, except for the tax on tea. -
Boston Massacre
A mob gathered in front of the Boston Customs House and taunted British soldiers standing guard. Shots fired and five colonists, including Crispus Attucks, were killed or mortally wounded. -
Tea Act
Lord North devised this act in order to save the nearly bankrupt British East India Company and granted the company the right to sell tea to the colonies free of taxes that the colonial tea sellers had to pay. This would cut the colonial merchants out of the trade and allow the company to sell tea directly for less. The colonists protested dramatically, contrary to North's hope that they would simply buy the cheaper tea. -
Boston Tea Party
A large group of rebels disguised themselves as Native Americans and took action against three British tea ships by dumping 18,000 pounds of the East India Company's tea into the waters of Boston harbor. -
The Intolerable Acts
Parliament was pushed by an infuriated King George III to act and they responded by passing a series of laws. One of them shut down the Boston harbor and another, called the Quartering Act, which allowed British soldiers to stay and be fed in private homes. General Thomas Gage was appointed the new governor and placed Boston under marital law, or ruled under military forces. -
First Continental Congress
In response to Britain's actions, the committees of correspondence formed the First Continental Congress of 56 delegates that met up in Philadelphia and drew up a declaration of colonial rights. They defended their rights to control colonial affairs and fight back if the British used force. -
Minutemen
After the First Continental Congress met, they stepped up military preparations and formed a group of civilian soldiers who pledged to be ready to fight on a minute's noticed, called the Minutemen. They quietly stockpiled gunpowder and firearms. -
Continental Army
The Second Continental Congress decided to recognize the colonial militia as the Continental Army, with George Washington as its commander. -
Second Continental Congress
Colonial leaders met up again in Philadelphia to discuss their next move. They debated on whether to reconcile with Britain or gain independence, but they agreed on appointing George Washington as commander of the Continental Army. -
Olive Branch Petition
Congress sent a petition to the King after the Battle of Bunker Hill because they still felt a deep loyalty towards him and blamed the bloodshed on the ministers. The petition urged them to return to "the former harmony" between Britain and the colonies.The King rejected the petition and issued a Proclamation that stated the colonies were in rebellion. -
Publication of Common Sense
Thomas Paine published a 50-page pamphlet that sold nearly 500,000 copies and was widely applauded. The book attacked King George and the monarchy and advocated for independence. -
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson, a Virginia lawyer was chosen to write the final draft. The document stated the natural rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", and that the power of the government comes from the consent of the governed, and "all men are created equal". It did not represent women, Africans, or Native Americans, but the statements could later help them challenge this. On July 4, 1776, the colonists declared freedom from Britain and now had to fight for it. -
French-American Alliance
After the Saratoga victory, the French believed that the Americans could win the war and signed an alliance with them and openly joined them in their fight. -
Treaty of Paris
After the British surrendered at Yorktown, the delegates signed the Treaty of Paris and confirmed the U.S. independence and set the boundaries of the new nation.
