Events Leading To American Independence

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliament. Required all American colonists to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

Brit. Soliders felt threatned & fired shots, 5 colonists killed. " Brutal slaying" od innocent civilians

Tea act

May 10, 1773

Taxes on Tea; Everyday part of life for them. Led to the Boston Tea Party

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Colonists dressed as indians stormed into the boston harbor and dumped Brit. tea into the harbor.

Intolerable Acts

Mar 24, 1774

Series of Laws; required col. to house soliders, Closed the Boston Harbor, expanded canadian borders taking land away from certain colonies.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

Brought together Representstives from each colony, except Georgia, to discuss their response to the British "Intolerable Acts".

Lexington & Concord

Apr 19, 1775

Fighting breaks out, Brits. troops on the way to seize weapons & ammo. stored by col. in Concord MA; Met at Lexington by col. militia. Started American Revolution.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

Met to decide whether to declare independence or not.

Townshend Act

Jul 2, 1776

Series of laws named for Charles Townshend. Laws placed new taxes on glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea.

Declaration of Indpendence

Jul 4, 1776

Proclaimed Indpendence " natural rights "