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American Revenue Act (Sugar Act)
George Greenville introduced the Sugar Act into the colonies in order to raise money. Which raised the tax on imported sugar, molasses, silk, wine coffee, pimento, and indigo. -
Stamp Act
This act, put in place by Parliament, was the first direct tax levied on the colonist which taxed most printed things. As retaliation the colonist boycotted all British goods, causing the act to get repealed in 1766 -
Townshend Acts
Created by Charles Townshend, these acts were new regulation and taxes (like the Revenue Act which taxed glass, lead, paper, paint, and tea imported to the colonies). Another aspect of these acts was that customs officers were given writs which was a general search warrant allowing them to enter any where they want whenever they wanted to and they could seize property if they suspected anything suspicious, without due process. -
Boston Massacre
In Boston there were riots due to Townshend duties/acts in 1680 causing custom officials calling in more troops (which colonists called lobster backs). In March 5, 1770 while a crowd of people were heckling and throwing objects at the redcoats. The troops started to fire upon the crowd causing 5 people to die. This news spread throughout the colonies as the Bloody Massacre causing outrage. -
Boston Tea Party
The British reduced the tax on tea to make colonist stop smuggling tea in and to buy their tea which worked. But this act enraged colonial merchants because it hurt their business. On December 16 1773 they dressed up as Native Indians to disguise themselves and they threw 342 chests of tea into the sea. This angered the British greatly. -
The First Continental Congress
55 delegates from 12 of the north colonies met in Philadelphia were they talked about what they should do regarding Britain and their oppressive acts. Most agreed that they could still compromise with Britain, so they issued the Declaration of Rights and Grievances which condemned the Coercive Acts (strict rules punishing Boston for the Boston Tea Party) while at the same time giving loyalty to the king. -
Lexington and Concord
In an attempt to take the militia's supply depot in Concord, 700 British soldiers marched to Concord which took them through Lexington. But Paul Revere was alerted of this and made a ride through these towns and warned them that the British are Coming!!. Thanks to this warning the minute men prepared at these towns for the British and they started to fight at both Lexington and Concord, during this time the colonists were able to move their supplies before the British arrived. -
Second Continental Congress
Meeting because of the recent fight at Lexington and Concord, the Congress decided to take the militia army and unite them under the name of the Continental Army under the command of George Washington. Also at this meeting they argued whether or not to break away from Britain and become independent. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Before Washington got control of the Continental Army, the British tried to take control of hills north of Boston. But thanks to a warning, the local militia got there first and prepared for a fight led by American commander William Prescott. They were able to fend off two attacks from the British but had to retreat after running low on supplies. The importance of this battle is that it gave the colonists confidence that they could win against the biggest armies of the time. -
Declaration of Independence
Thanks to the pamphlet made by Thomas Paine made earlier in the year called Common Sense, the Continental Congress voted for independence. On July 4, 1776, issued the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, officially making the colonies the United States of America. -
Crossing the Delaware River
In response to the British heading toward Philadelphia (location of the Continental Congress), Washington surprise attacked the British while they were camping during a winter sleet storm by crossing the Delaware River. They took out 1000 mercenaries. -
Battle of Saratoga
After being driven back to Saratoga by American General Benedict Arnold. General Horatio Gates made the British surrender in Saratoga and captured 5000 of them. This importance of this is that it boosted American moral and convinced France to join into the war on America's side and recognize them as an independent nation. -
Battle of Yorktown
After General Cornwallis tried to take Virginia for Britain but failed and retreated to Yorktown. George Washington with French backup bombarded and cut off supplies for the British finally sealed the deal and won on October 19, 1781. This was the last major battle before Britain admitted defeat. -
Treaty of Paris
After giving in into peace negotiations, Britain signed three important treaties which ended the American Revolution. These treaties were recognizing America as a independent nation, giving Flordia back to Spain, and finally giving France colonies in Africa and the Caribbean.