Events Leading To The American Revolution

Sugar/ Coffee Act

Nov 5, 1764

The sugar/ coffee act was when taxes were placed on things like sugar, molasses, and other products that were shipped into the colonies. This was to help repay for the money spent on the French and Indian War. In the colonists point of view, they were outraged and scared that this would threaten their rights.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

This act includes a law requiring all legal and commercial documents to carry an official stamp showing that a tax has been paid. Also, wills, all newpapers, and diplomas, had to carry a stamp. This act also helped to pay for the debts from the French and Indian War.

Quartering Acts

May 22, 1765

This act is a law requiring colonists to house all British soldiers. It was too expensive to house all of the soldiers using their own money, so they thought it was a cheap and easy way to give the soldiers a place to stay. Although, it made the American colonists feel very uncomfortable.

Stamp Act Congress

Oct 19, 1765

This act was when a meeting held in New York City between colonists from American colonies in North America. They had discussed their dislike of the stamp act and wrote a letter that stated their hate and the fact that the colonial assembly should have the right ot tax, not the parliament. As a result, colonists begin to boycott English goods to show resent. The King then repeals the Stamp Act.

Declaratory Act

Mar 1, 1766

Sometime in March, 1766, the Declaratory Act began. This was when the King issued an act stating that Parliament had supreme authority to govern the colonies. Although, since no act was put in place, the colonists were not concerned and ignored the act.

Townshend Acts

Jun 1, 1767

This act was when taxes were placed on numerous imports to raise revenue in America. These imports were glass, paint, paper, lead, and tea.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

This was when some American colonists were protesting against the British and both sides began showing aggressive behavior towards each other, so for self defense, the British soldiers shot several colonists. This sent the British soldiers to court, but John Adams represented them and was able to prove that they were not guilty and deserved freedom.

Tea Act

May 1, 1773

This act was when tea could only be sold by the East India Company. This reduced the price of tea, but the colonists still did not like this and objected to it. Britiain wanted to show that although they lifted some of the acts, they still had power of the colonies and still had the right ot tax them. This led to the Boston Tea Party, and the Sons of Liberty.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

A protest against the British. Colonists had been boycotting tea from the British after the Tea Act to show that they had objected to the British rules. Then, they dressed up as Native Americans and went onto one of Britain’s ships and dumped crates of tea into the Boston Harbor. This angered Britain because the tea costed a total of millionsof dollars and not affordable to replace. They wanted to hunt down the people that did this and make them pay in money and punishment.

Intolerable Acts

Mar 1, 1774

This was the colonial name for this act, although the British had called it the Coercive Acts. In this act, the Britihs were punishing Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. In addition to that, they had banned town meetings, leading the colonists to hold secret meetinga nd then appointed an elected council. Then, they increased the governors power in the colonies. Lastly, the British officials who were accused of a crime were tried in England.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

Meeting of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies that existed at the time. This took place in Carpenter’s Hall which is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They made different decisions that were compromised on throughtout the colonies. This helped them better prepare themselves for things that crossed their path in the present, or the future.

Second Continental Congress

Oct 26, 1774

Meeting of delegates from all thirteen colonies. This meeting still took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Battle of Lexignton

Apr 19, 1775

One of the two wars that started the Revolutionary War. British were trying to find the two men who had dumped their chests of tea into the Boston Harbor, Sam Adams and John Hancock, and this is where they were.

Battle Concord

Apr 19, 1775

One of the two wars that started the Revolutionary War. Came after the Battle of Lexington. All the arms and amunition were held here.

Signing of the Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

The signing of a document that gave people more rights and freedom.