Early American Events

Road to Revolution

Period: Jan 1, 1750 to Dec 31, 1790

French and Indian War Starts

Jan 1, 1756

French and Indian War The French and Indian War was the beginning of open hostilities between the colonies and Great Britain. The growth of the colonies was substantial during this time, going from 250 thousand to 1.25 million. This jump in population meant there were more people to oppose the British.

French and Indian War Ends

Jan 1, 1763

French and Indian War The French and Indian War ends.

Proclamation of 1763

Oct 7, 1763

Proclamation of 1763 The Proclamation of 1763 announced the addition of four new colonies-Grenada, West Florida, East Florida, and Quebec. It also announced the revoking of any property belonging to the Native Americans that had been settled. British soldiers were posted along this proclamation line, enforcing the boundaries.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

Stamp Act The Stamp Act was England's first attempt to seriously govern the colonies. After the Seven Years War, the British government was in a mountain of debt. English citizens were so enranged that they threatened a revolt.

Townshend Act

Jun 29, 1767

Townshend Act The Townshend Act was a revenue on items the colonists used everyday, such as: glass, paint, oil, paper, and tea. This eventually lead to the Boston Tea Party.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

Boston Massacre The Boston Massacre was an event that started as a street fight, but then escalated to the murder of unarmed citizens by the British. This event led to the evacuation of the British from Boston.

Tea Act

May 10, 1773

Tea Act The Tea Act was a forerunning event to the Boston Tea Party, in which the Colonists refused a shipment of tea and sent it back only to let it rot in Charleston. The Royal Governor stubbornly insisted that the tea not leave the colonies.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Boston Tea Party The Boston Tea Party was an act of rebellion against the British. Massachusetts patriots raided three ships at midnight and threw 342 chests of tea into the harbor. This was one of the final acts that angered the British in this time.

Intolerable Acts

Jan 1, 1774

The Intolerable Acts The Intolerable Acts were the liftings of all taxes on everyday items, except for the one on tea.

Battles of Lexington and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

Lexington and Concord Lexington and Concord were the first battles of the Revolutionary War. Though considered British victories, these intial battles gavea morale boost to colonists.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence was the basis of American laws and government. Signed on July 4th, 1776, this marked the separation of the colonies from England.