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French and Indian War
Conflict between British Colonies and French "New France" for control of continent. Most fighting took place in the north on French Canadian soil. British won and acquired French territory -
Royal Proclamation of 1763
King George issued proclomation prohibiting colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. Caused dissent because people were already settled there, -
Sugar Act Estalished
After failure of previous taxes because of avoidance in the colonies, the British Parliament established the Sugar Act at a lower tax rate in hopes of it actually being paid. -
Stamp Act Established
Act passed by parliament requiring that all paper products have a stamp on them, and these paper products with the stamp cost more because of the high tax on them. All newspapers and other colonial documents were required to have this stamp. -
Quartering Act Established
British Parliament passed act requiring that American colonists give lodging and food to any British soldier that requested it. -
Stamp Act Congress
27 delegates from 9 colonies met in New York to discuss grievances caused by the stamp act and other recent acts passed by congress. Did send a statement of rights and grievances to the king, which was completely ignored. -
Decleratory Act
Act passed by British Parliament immediately after repealing Stamp Act that attempted to reaffirm their right "to bind" the colonies in any matter they wanted to. -
First Townshend Acts Passed
A series of acts pushed through the British Parliament by British political leader Charles Townshend, these acts establish a new import tax on products such as glass, paper, paint, and most importantly tea. -
British Troops Begin Occupation of Boston
Fearing a breakdown in Boston because of the Colonists unrest, two regiments of British soldiers were sent to Boston to keep order. Most got drunk and were profane, further aggravating the colonists. -
Boston Massacre
After escalating tensions between British Soldiers and American Colonists, a group of sixty colonists provokes a group of ten Redcoats to open fire, wounding and killing 11. Were defended in court by John Adams and only two were convicted on charges of Manslaughter. -
Townshend Acts Repealed
After increasing outcry from colonists, British Prime Minister Lord North convinces parliament to repeal most of Townshend Acts becuase of their low revenue (295 pounds per year) and the discontent they cause in the colonies. -
Boston Tea Party
Group of Colonists disguised as Indians board ships docked in Boston Harbor and dump their cargo of 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. Colonists were disgruntled after British Crown gave monopoly on tea to the East India Company. -
Quebec Act Established
Act passed by British Parliament that gave the French colonists under control religous freedom and the freedom to follow their customs and traditions, including trial without jury. Also extended the province of Quebec all the way to the Ohio River. Annoyed Colonists who feared losing their rights. -
Intolerable Acts Established
A series of acts passed in 1774 in order to punish Boston and Massachusetts for their disobedience, the most drastic was the Boston Port Act which closed the port of Boston until they paid for the tea they destroyed. -
First Continental Congress
Meeting of colonial representatives in Philadelphia, 12 of the 13 colonies were in attendance, and 55 of the most influential men in the colonies were intendance. This first congress helped soothe inter-colony tension, but the few papers and declarations they produced had little to no effect. -
Battle of Concord
The Colonists were prepared for the British when they attacked Concord after defeating the colonists at Lexington and were able to push them back. About 70 British were killed. -
Battle of Lexington
British decide to attack Lexington to deprive the Colonoists of their gunpowder. Colonial Minutemen are not able to organize in time and the British are met with little resistance, marching straight on after seizing some gundpowder. -
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Revolutionary War
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Second Continental Congress
Delegates from all thriteen colonies met in Philadelphia to discuss grievances, ended up voting for a clean break from England. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin were appointed to write the Declaration of Independence, which they did. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Because of the threat posed by the colonists having control of Bunker hill and being able to attack Boston, British troops attack Bunker Hill in what turns almost into a slaughter, as the colonists cut down line after line of British troops, only retreating after running out of ammunition. -
Publishing of Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
Pamphlet written by Thomas Jefferson, sold over 120,000 copies and influenced the ideals of the revolution. Paine called the reactions of the colonists towards the British's actions contradictory to common sense and he called for independence, and a republic.
