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French and Indian War
The war lasted from 1756 to 1763, giving it the name of “the seven years war.” This massive conflict involved six countries, happening in Europe, India, and North America. The English finally dominated the colonial outpost, although the cost of the war nearly resulted in debt that nearly destroyed the English government. The end of the Salutary Neglect (an english policy of not enforcing laws in its colonies) resulted in the cost of the war. -
Creation of the Stamp Act
The bill was passed the 17th of Febuary approved by the lords on march 8th and orderd to effect 2 weeks later by the king. This act was parliments 1st serious attempt to make a government over the colonies. It created British taxes over the colonies at higher rates to cover their debt from the french and indian war. -
The Tea Act is Essablished
The Tea Act was a legislative maneuver by the British ministry of Lord to make English tea marketable in america. This was a form of mercantilism and let the East India Co. sell tea directly to the colonist at cheap prices. The Tea Act made it to where the company could still pay the Townshend duty and be able to undersell their competitors. By buying this tea the colonist would be paying taxes they did not approve, thus the shipments of the tea soon became a symbol of taxation tyranny. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was not only a protest against taxes, it was a protest of the british government. This protest was to the unneeded taxes, laws, and restrictions against the colonist who had no representation in the British government. The colonist threw tea into the harbor as a protest, the sons of liberty was the group behind the act. -
9. Enforcement Acts aka. The Intolerable Acts
The Boston tea party resulted in these acts. The acts were intended to suppress the uneasiness in colonial Boston by closing the port and putting it under law. The group know as the Sons of Liberty then issued a call for a boycott. The merchant communities were reluctant to participate in a boycott such as this unless there was terms to enforce the boycott's cause. The Continental Congress would then set terms for the boycott and the colony of Connecticut was the first to act. -
Quartering Act
These laws were made to force local colonians to provide food and housing to the British soldiers stationed in the colonies. This was one of the intolerable acts passed as a vengence to the boston tea party. Some of the British found it hard to persuade colonial people to pay for the quartering and provisions of troops, as it was required by the 1686 Mutiny Act. Lieutenant General Thomas Gage reported the quartering problems he had in the colonies, leading to the creation of this act -
The First Continental Congress is Established
A meeting of representatives from twelve of the colonies to demand a repeal of the forced acts, laws and taxes. The colonist viewed the many acts placed on them as an irrational violation of their constitutional rights, and organized the first continental congress to coordinate their response. The congress was held at carpenters hall. -
The Battles of Lexingon and Concord
These two battles occurred in Mass. and was the first armed conflicts with the british troops. The British had supplies at Concord and hidden in neighboring towns. This time there was a shot fired, and the British troops began fire on the militia. They continued to march to Concord, there were 120 British troops guarding the outside of Concord and they returned to Boston, which they where under constant fire from Militiamen. The American revolution begun before it was formally organized. -
The Second Continental Congress is Established
All thirteen colonies met to propose peace with england with a petition named the Olive Branch Petition. The virtual representation was called was rejected by the king and the revolutionary war was eventually started. When they did meet war was already underway and they formed the Continental army and dispatched George Washington to Massachusetts to be it's commander. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker hill took place in Boston and afterwards King George III declared the colonies to be in rebellion. The battle took place during the Siege of Boston. Although known as Bunker hill most of the action took place on Breed's Hill. The attack demonstrated the American forces and caused great British casualties. After the battle, British General Henry Clinton wrote in his journal, “... another such victory and we are utterly undone.” -
Publishing of “Common Sense”
Common Sense was published by Thomas Paine in 1776. It was a pamphlet that argued for the independence from britain. Common sennse united citizens and political leaders behind the idea of independence. The pamphlet played a major role in transforming a colonial argument into the revolution. -
Creation of the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was wrote by Thomas Jefferson and approved on July 4, 1776. The declaration was based on ideas John Locke, a political philosopher. These ideas included social contract and natural rights. Social contract is the power of the government coming from the people, where the people can replace an abusive government. Natural rights means that everyone has a right to their life, liberty, and property.
