Causes of the American Revolution

Signing of the Treaty in Paris

Feb 10, 1763

At the ending of the Seven Year's War, France ceded all mainland North American territories, except New Orleans, in order to keep hold on it's Caribbean sugar islands. Britain then gained all territory in the east of the Mississippi River and Spain kept their territory west of Mississippi, but then gave East and West Florida in exchange for Cuba.

Proclamation of 1763

Oct 7, 1763

Scared of the colonies defending their territory, George III prohibited all settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains without the security of local Native American nations. This offended the thirteen colonies claim of exclusive right to govern the land in the west.

Sugar Act

Apr 5, 1764

First attempts to finance defence for the colonies by the British Government. This was in hope to deter smuggling and encourage the production of rum. Taxes on molasses dropped; and a levy was placed on wine and exports of iron, lumber, and other goods. All of these goods had to pass through British customs. This act caused a Vice-Admiralty court in Halifax to hear smuggling cases without a jury and without a presumption of guilt. These measures led to a widespread protest from the colonies.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

In efforts to defray some of the costs of the colonies, Parliament required that all documents, newspapers, and pamphlets used some watermark or "stamp", on this a levy was placed. On May 30, the Virginian assembly refuses to comply with the stamp act.

Quartering Act

May 15, 1765

The colonies are required to pay for some British garrisons. The causes New York assembly to argue that they will not comply.

Stamp Act Congress

Oct 25, 1765

Representatives from nine of the thirteen colonies say the the Stamp Act is unconstitutional as it was made without their consent.

Declaratory Act

Mar 18, 1766

British Parliament finalizes the Stamp Act repeal and then declares that is has the right to tax the colonies.

Townshend Revenue Act (Townshend Duties)

Jun 29, 1767

Duties on tea, glass, lead, paper, and paint was to help pay for administration of the colonies. John Dickinson publishes a letter from a Philadelphian farmer in protest. Colonial assembly decides to condemn taxation without representation.

British Troops

Oct 1, 1768

British troops arrive in Boston as a response to the political distress.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

A crowd rallies in response to the British Troops and begin harassing the group of troops. A troop is knocked down and discharges his musket causing a spark of frenzy in the crowd, which resulted in the death of five civilians. On April 12, the repeal of the Townshend Revenue Act is approved.

Burning of Gaspee

Jun 10, 1772

A revenue schooner named Gaspee ran aground near Providence and the people, in response to Gaspee, burnt him as they were angered by the enforcement of trade legislation.

Tea Act

May 10, 1773

In efforts to support the East Indian Company, Parliament made it possible to sell tea directly to the colonies. The colonies resented this as they thought of this as an indirect tax subsiding by the British.

Thomas Hutchinson Letters

Jul 1, 1773

Letter were published by Thomas Hutchinson, a Massachusetts governor. He advocated for a "great restraint of natural liberty", convincing most colonists of a planned British clampdown on the colonies freedoms.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

In response to the tax on tea, American patriots disguised as Native Americans dumped £9,000 (roughly $15'111.90 in Canadian Dollars) into the Boston harbour.

Intolerable Acts

Jun 1, 1774

Massachusetts was stripped of self-gonverment and judicial independence following the Boston Tea Party. The rest of the colonies responded to this with a boycott of British goods.

Continental Congress

Sep 1, 1774

Colonial delegates meet to organize a revolt against the Intolerable Acts.