Events Leading to the Declaration of Independence

Tea Act

May 10, 1173

An act on tea that was put upon the colonists that caused them to against the British. It was the cause of the Boston Tea Party.

Intolerable Acts

1174

Laws that were meant to punish the colonists for their acts of the Boston Tea Party.

Jamestown

1607

The first permanent english settlement in North America.

Virginia House of Burgesses

Jul 30, 1619

The House of Burgesses was the first legislative assembly of the colonies.

Mayflower Compact

Nov 21, 1620

The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document for the Plymouth Colony.

Bacon´s Rebellion

1676

Farmers in Virginia had an attack against governor William Berkeley.

Salem Witch Trials

1692

Many people were accused of witchcraft because they believed through their religion that the devil could give people powers.

French and Indian War (Seven Years' War)

Period: 1756 to 1763

War between Britain and France along with their allies over expanding west of the Appalachians. Resulted in Britain winning and pushing France out of America.

Proclamation of 1763

Oct 7, 1763

This proclamation issued by Parliament prohibited the movement of American colonists west of the Appalachians.This caused a great dissatisfaction of the colonists against Britain.

Sugar Act

Apr 5, 1764

A tax on sugar that was in the colonists and another reason that the colonists had to resent Britain after the war.

Stamp Act

1765

This act imposed a tax on any printed materials in the colonies and it was used as a way for the colonies to pay for the Seven Years' War that had recently ended.

Quartering Act

1765

Colonists were required to allow British soldiers to stay in their homes if they were told to do so.

Townshend Acts

1767

Britain placed taxes on the colonists after the Seven Year's War so that they would help pay for the war and this was not okay with the colonists.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

British army soldiers shot and killed 5 people during an attack by a mob

Committees of Correspondence

1773

Each colonial legislature appointed a standing committee for intercolonial correspondence.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

A protest by the Sons of Liberty that involved dumping tea into the Boston Harbor.

First Continental Congress

Oct 5, 1774

The first time colonists got together to try and resist against the Parliament's Acts.

Lexington and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

The first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War.

Olive Branch Petition

Jul 5, 1775

The first attempt by the colonists to try and not go to war with Britain during the American Revolution.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Written during the Second Continental Congress, it was a document that declared independence from Britain.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Written statement by the 13 colonies that declared their independence from Britain.