Events that led to the American Revolution

Sugar Act

Apr 5, 1764

The first attempt to finance the defence of the colonies by the British Government. It imposed new duties on sugar and other goods, the British government began to tighten its reins on the colonies and aced as a direct tax on colonists. Colonial resistance began. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/stamp-act

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

Parliament required all legal documents, newspapers and pamphlets required to use watermarked, or 'stamped' paper on which a levy or tax was placed. Colonist began to become more outraged by taxes by Britain. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/stamp-act

Quartering Act

Mar 24, 1765

Colonial assemblies required to pay for supplies to British troops. It required the colonies to house British soldiers in barracks provided by the colonies.The New York assembly argued that it could not be forced to comply. Colonial outrage grew more rapidly, causing more tension between Britain and the colonies. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/parliament-passes-the-quartering-act

Stamp Act Congress

Period: Oct 7, 1765 to Oct 25, 1765

Representatives from nine of the thirteen colonies declare the Stamp Act unconstitutional as it was a tax levied without their consent. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/parliament-repeals-the-stamp-act

Declaratory Act

Mar 18, 1766

Parliament voted to repeal the Stamp Act in March 1766. However, the same day, Parliament passed the Declaratory Acts, asserting that the British government had free and total legislative power over the colonies. Colonist were outraged. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/parliament-repeals-the-stamp-act

Townshend Revenue Act (Townshend Duties)

1767

Duties on tea, glass, lead, paper and paint to help pay for the administration of the colonies. Colonial assemblies condemn taxation without representation. Colonist viewed the taxation as an abuse of power. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/townshend-acts

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

Angered by the presence of troops and Britain's colonial policy, a crowd began harassing a group of soldiers guarding the customs house; a soldier was knocked down by a snowball and discharged his musket, sparking a volley into the crowd which kills five civilians. War between the two were looking more and more prominent. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-massacre

Tea Act

May 10, 1773

In an effort to support the ailing East India Company, Parliament exempted its tea from import duties and allowed the Company to sell its tea directly to the colonies. Americans resented what they saw as an indirect tax subsidising a British company. Another tax that left the colonist outraged. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/tea-act

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Angered by the Tea Acts, American patriots disguised as Mohawk Indians dump $1,000,000 of East India Company tea into the Boston harbor. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-tea-party

Intolerable Acts

1774

Four measures which stripped Massachusetts of self-government and judicial independence following the Boston Tea Party. The colonies responded with a general boycott of British goods. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/british-parliament-adopts-the-coercive-acts