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Sugar Act enforced
Although it reduced the tax on molasses, the Sugar Act was strictly enforced, so colonists ended up paying more taxes. -
Sons of Liberty formed
Those who opposed the British taxes called themselves "Patriots" and the Sons of Liberty was born with Sam Adams as its leader. -
Stamp Act passed
The Stamp Act was the tax on printed items was the first direct tax on the colonists. It added a fee to printed materials such as legal documents and newspaper. -
Quartering Act passes
Following the French and Indian War, Britain maintained a standing army in the colonies. The Quartering Act required colonial assemblies to house and provision solders. -
Sons of Liberty
A mob led by the Sons of Liberty tore down the office and damaged the house of the stamp collector -
Stamp Act repealed
The Declatory Act repealed the Stamp Act but asserted Parliament's right to rule the colonies as saw fit. -
Townsend Acts
Import taxes on a variety of goods were collected to support royal officials in the colonies, removing the responsibility from the colonial assemblies. The Townsend Acts were so unpopular that all the taxes were repealed, except the one on tea. -
Boston Massacre
A group of colonists hurled snowballs and rocks at British soldiers guarding the Customs House. The soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five colonists -
Tea Act Established
The Tea Act was created to save the East India Tea Company. Although it lowered the price of tea, it gave the company a monopoly and threatened the business of colonial importers. -
Boston Tea Party
Boston Patriots dressed as Indians, boarded three British ships laden with tea and dumped the tea into the harbor. The event became known as the Boston Tea Party. -
Intolerable Acts passed
Officially called the Coercive Acts, these laws were meant to force Massachusetts to pay for tea destroyed in the Boston Tea Party. The laws closed Boston Harbor and forced colonists to house British soldiers in their homes. -
First Continental Congress
Agree to boycott British goods -
Olive Branch Petition
Congress sends an "Olive Branch" to King George III. He rejected the petition and sent more troops to Boston. -
Speech delivered in House of Burgesses
Patrick Henry, gives his most famous speech, in the House of Burgueses. "Give me Liberty or give me Death" -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
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Second Continental Congress
Congress names George Washington commander of Continental Army -
Battle of Bunker Hill
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Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense
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Dec. of Ind. approved
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Deceleration of Independence was approved -
Steuben trains Continental Army
Baron Von Steuben trains the Continental Army at Valley Forge, Penn -
Patriots win in Saratoga
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France joins with United States
signs an alliance -
Victory at Charlestown
General Clinton captures 3000 Patriot soldiers as he takes Charlestown, South Carolina -
General Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
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Treaty of Paris signed
