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Period: 1210 to
Events Leading to Revolutionary War
By Eva Anderson -
Jun 12, 1215
Magna Carta
A government document written by nobles. It was written to limit kings power and make laws and punishment equal, it also brought up property rights, due process of law, and fair trade. This was put in to place because King John treated the nobles harshly. The written grant helped more than just nobles though and provided more equalizes for all. -
Mayflower Compact
Agreement written by pilgrim men to create a government to serve the common good. The agreement stated the government would have just and equal laws for men. It let adult men vote for things in the colony and was thought to be helpful. It let there be governors that would be elected. This ended up being helpful as they separated from the king. -
English Bill of Rights
Government document written by parliament. It was put in place to expand rights. It also limited powers of the king giving people the power. The power of the king was still greater but this was significant. It gave parliament the power of saying no the bills. It also gave the right to fair trial to citizens. -
Cato's Letters
The article's written to argue against the rule of the king. It argued for freedom of expression. It was made by Cato the younger and Cato the Elder. -
Mercantilism
Mercantilism was a system used to get more profits. They would buy stuff at low prices and used financial tactics to keep getting profit. Specifically selling high to the colonies. The colonists hated that. -
French and Indian War
A war between the British and the French with Native Americans supporting. It was an expensive war. It left Britain with a lot of debt. This left them with more reason to tax the colonies. The colonist thought that wasn't good because the war wasn't even their problem. -
Stamp Act
This added tax on most printed materials. The Parliament thought this would help revenue. It ended up being repealed the next year. It angered the colonists but gave reason to start their own papers. They did not want to pay more for goods that weren't even from themselves. -
Townshend Act
This taxed a bunch of stuff to raise the profit of colonies. It also took away some rights as well. Some colonists boycotted while loyalists understood and accepted it as their duty. The acts added taxes from glasses to teas. This really angered some colonists. -
Boston Massacre
British solders doing their marches encountered some trouble. Some colonists were bothering them. After being bothered they decided to kill multiple people. They did this by opening fire. This angered already angry colonists. -
Tea Act
This act gave the right to ship tea without tax to put British teas to be at an advantage as they could sell for cheaper. This act was a reach to put the British at an advantage. It also reduced the amount of tea that was left untouched. It was important for financially troubled tea companies. -
Boston Tea Party
At the Boston Harbors men dressed as Native Americans traveled aboard a ship (actually three) full of tea and got rid of the tea. It was a protest to the UK for not letting the colonies go without tax. This led to the intolerable acts. This was also done out of fear that it would put down American business. -
Intolerable/Coercive Acts
After everything the colonists did Parliament was tired of it. They passes a bunch of laws that completely destroyed the rights of the colonies. The punishment didn't go unnoticed as it affected everyday life. They acts could even allow British soldiers to use colonists homes. -
First Continental Congress
Meeting of 12 delegates of the 13 colonies. They talked about how they should deal with the Brits. They sent a document saying the rights of colonists should be kept. And they were going boycott until colonists retained the right. -
Second Continental Congress
When leaders in Philadelphia. Some didn't support independence. They thought there was no way they could be powerful compared to the UK. The leaders spent a long time debating. They didn't know what action to take. Eventually they decided they should claim independence. -
Lexington & Concord
King George III sent soldiers to the US. From Boston they went to Lexington and Concord. Then they battled with colonists. After that more colonists thought about independence. These were the first battles of the war. A lot of colonists thought of this as betrayal. -
Declaratory Acts
The declaratory acts were passed by Parliament. It gave the power to decide tax on of the colonies. People didn't enjoy the taxation but Parliament has the right in "all cases." -
Common Sense
Common sense was a pamphlet. It was written by Thomas Paine to explain independence. It was meant so anyone could understand it. Even the common people. -
Deceleration of Independence
Congress was the government. Thought up (mostly) by Thomas Jefferson, they wrote a document that officially announced independence. It explained that the US should be independent.
It was influenced heavily by John Locke. It promised to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (for men).
