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Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 made it so that no English Colonists could settle West of the Appalachian Mountains. This was made in hope that there would be no contact between the Native Americans and the colonists. It was thought that if there was no contact between the both of them then there will be no conflict. But of course, the colonists rebelled against this proclamation and decided to move West anyway. -
Sugar Act
The creation of the Sugar Act was to put taxes on "foreign-made molasses" in hope of the result that the colonists would stop smuggling. This, of course, did not work and as usual, the colonists rebelled. Colonists still continued to smuggle the molasses into the colonies despite the Sugar Act. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act made it so that every legal documents, newspaper, pamphlet, and even on playing cards and dice, had to have a special stamp. Almost every piece of paper had to have this special stamp printed on it. In result of this, Samuel Adams created a group called the Sons of Liberty. They insulted workers, stamp agents, and even the royal governors. In October 1765, delegates from nine colonies met in New York City. A Declaration of Rights and Grievances was issued causing no more taxes. -
Repeal of Stamp Act
On this day, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act. The Parliament decided to prove their point on the same day by issuing the Townshend Act. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre started in a fist-fight over jobs and ended in four people dead in the snow. Samuel Adams and other activists named this event as the Boston Massacre even though it really wasn't a massacre. But was stated as one due to the British attacking defenseless citizens. -
Boston Tea Party
When Parliament passed the Tea Act (created to help English Tea Companies), The "Indians" got angry and dumped 18,000 pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor. -
Intolerable Acts
After the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts, shutting down the Boston Harbor. The Quartering Act was made to allow Britain to invade private homes. General Thomas Gage became governor of Massachusetts. He placed Boston under a rule imposed by military forces. The Colonists responded by assembling the First Continental Congress. A declaration of colonial rights was created which supported protests in Massachusetts and that the colonies should fight back against the British. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Colonial troops led by Putnam occupy Breed's Hill on June, 1775. 1,500 British soldiers attack in three assaults. Americans run out of ammunition and lose Breed's Hill. This battle is a moral victory for the Americans. -
Lexington and Concord
General Thomas Gage sends troops to Concord to seize illegal weapons. Paul Revere gets word to the countryside about the Redcoats marching on Concord. This was known as the "shot heard around the world". There was a bloody retreat of British soldiers -- 700 to 1,000 men. -
Thomas Paine - Common Sense
Thomas Paine wrote a 47 page pamphlet that listed grievances against the king. He titled it Common Sense. Common Sense moved more Colonists towards declaring independence from England.
