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End of French and Indian War
This treaty was the official end to the war that ceased the conflict between the French and British. British was rewarded with land (as well as Spain), while the French were completely driven out of North America. The Proclamation Line of 1763 was issued by England that would limit the colonists to where they can go. This made the colonists feel like they were going against salutary neglect. Their autonomy was being lessened with this issue and expectancy to follow it. -
Sugar Act
An act that lowers the tax on molassess, but increases penalties for smuggling, denying a jury trial to accused smugglers. It banded importation of rum and French wines. These taxes affected only a certain part of population but the affected merchants were very vocal. This angered everyone because they felt like all the Parliament wanted was their money. Most colonists didn't listen to the act and still brought in things that were banned. They went agaisnt the Parliament and caused wreckage -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act required colonists to pay a tax on almost all printed meterials including things like newspapers, books, court documents, contracts, and land deeds. This was the first time that Parliament had imposed a direct tax within the colonies. This angered the colonists. They had claimed that it threatened their prosperity and liberty. Most of them wondered if the Parliament even had the right to tax them since most of them had no involment with the Parliament. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were a series of acts passed by the Parliament relating to the British colonies . The acts are named after Charles Townshend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. This act levied new import duties on everyday items such as glass, tea, paper, paint, and lead. This made the colonists state that they would not pay any new taxes to the Parliament. in response to this, the colonists began to protest, boycott, and do street violence. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Masscacre was an event that happened between some British soldiers and the colonists. This mini fight was brought on my the colonists throwing snowballs and rocks at the soliders who were guarding that Customs House. Some of the soldiers had fired into the crowd, causing five colonists to be killed. This caused a network of committees of correspondence throughtout Massachusetts. Later, Parliament had backed down, withdrawing their troops from and dropping most of the Townshend duties. -
Tea Act
This was an act passed by British Parliament that was not intended to cause revenue in the colonies. This colonies believed that this was a way to gain support for the already popular taxes still forced. The tea was shipped to the colonies and sold at a bargain price. Soon this led to what we call today - The Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was an event that occured during the boycott of tea. The colonist did not want to buy cheaper tea because they had thought the British were trying to trick them into paying the tax. So, on Decemeber 16th, Boston Patriots took matters into their own hands by dressing as Indians and boarding three British ships. These ships were stocked with tea which they dumped into the harbor, which later became known as the Boston Tea Party. -
Intolerable Acts
These were a series of punitive laws that were passed by the British parliament, which were claimed "intolerable" by the colonists. The issuing obviously took place in Parliament and that didn't make the colonists less angrier. In March, they repealed the duties and the same day, colonists broke out into a frenzy, or more commonly known as the Boston Massacre. The laws passed related to higher royal privilege and closings of ports. -
First Continental Congress
All state delegates, except Georgia, mainly because Georgia was having an Indian problem. This first congress led all the way to October 26, 1774. The elections were held by either people, legislature, or committees. The historical gathering took place in Carpenter's Hall, located in Philadelphia, PA. The delegates made sure to state the colonists' rights and halt trade with Britain. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
British troops from Boston and colonists clashed at Lexington and soon the British troops spread out to Concord. This event is famous for the "shot heard around the world." Or the shot that officially kicked off the Revolutionary War. Militamen and Minutemen stood at the line of Lexington while the British later marched into Concord, dividing the battle into two. The British lost more men due to this. It is safe to say that the colonists, now called Americans, have won this primary portion.
