Events leading up to the American Revolution

French and Indian War

Jan 1, 1754

Britain VS France & Native Americans. Britain won part of Canada. Cost lots of $. Taxes went up.

Stamp Act

Nov 1, 1765

Put taxes on newspaper, legal documents, playing cards etc. Hated by colonists.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

British soldiers attacked colonists that were against the stamp act and other taxed things. Five died.

The Intolerable Acts

Mar 5, 1770

Things that Great Britain made the colonists follow that they didn't agree with. Great Britain was broke. More taxes on the Colonists.

The Gaspee Affair

Jun 9, 1772

A British customs ship (the HMS Gaspee) ran into the bank in Rhode Island. Colonists burned and destroyed the ship.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 17, 1773

Colonists dressed as Native Americans and attacked the Dartmouth, the Eleanor, and the Beaver before dumping several crates of tea into the harbor in Boston.

Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

The Continental Congress meets twice to talk about all of these laws that Britain wants them to follow. Decide to make a declaration to leave them. 56 delegates meet.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 1775

Americans VS British on Breeds Hill to protect the Boston shipyard. Lasted two days.

Common Sense

Jan 15, 1776

Thomas Paine wrote a book called Common Sense to challenge the British Authority. It fueled the rebellion due to its common language.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Thomas Jefferson writes the Declaration of Independence. Declares separation from the king. Great Britain declares war.