Road to the American Revolution

By jillboyden

  • The French and Indian War

    The French and Indian War
    • French and Indian War ended with the Treaty of Paris
    • Britain blamed the colonies for the war and had a massive debt to repay due to the high cost($8 million) of the war which would lead to many taxes on the colonists
    • This also caused the British to restrict colonial access to the Ohio River Valley and enforce colonial laws after a time of salutary neglect
  • Period: to

    Road to the Revolution

  • Sugar Act

    Sugar Act
    • Lowered taxes of the Molasses Act on imported goods after complaint/smuggling
    • Issued the Writs of Assistance which allowed certain officials to search a citizens property without warning or a warrant
    • Caused the colonists to be upset because of high taxes resulting in boycotts

  • Stamp Act

    Stamp Act
    • A tax on all printed goods
    • It was an indirect tax meaning it was paid separately from the product ranging from 1 cent to $10
    • Resulted in protest and boycotts from colonists and a growing resentment towards Great Britain

  • Townshend Act

    Townshend Act
    • Repealed Stamp Act due to upset colonists
    • Placed a tax on glass, paint, tea, lead, and paper
    • Created a monopoly because the colonists could only buy from the British
    • Caused more unrest in the colonists, Britain sent more troops to try and control them and enforce law

  • The Boston Massacre

    The Boston Massacre
    • British soldiers fired upon an unarmed crowd of colonists killing 6
    • Happened as a result of high tensions between the high number of soldiers sent in to enforce taxes after the Townshend Act
    • Enraged colonists and got more colonists to start to be against Great Britain

  • Boston Tea Party

    Boston Tea Party
    • Happened as a result of the Tea Act that granted the East India Tea Co. to have a monopoly of tea sales in the colonies and also implented a high tax.
    • Colonists dressed as Indians stormed the ship and threw 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor.
    • Lead to Great Britains Intolerable Acts

  • Intolerable Acts

    Intolerable Acts
    • Britain's reaction to the Boston Tea Party and it included the Boston Port Bill, the Administration of Justice Act, the Massachusetts Government Act, and the Quebec Act.
    • The goal was to isolate Boston but ended up isolating many other colonies
    • Wanted to arrest rebels

  • Lexington and Concord

    Lexington and Concord
    • Militia started forming in Massachusetts
    • The King wanted to seize leaders like John Hancock as well as seize munitions to weaken militias.
    • Paul Reveres midnight ride to warn local militias that the British were coming
    • "The shot heard 'round the world"
    • The first shots and casualties of the war

  • The Olive Branch Petition

    The Olive Branch Petition
    • Colonies last formal attempt to prevent the war
    • Asked the King for a ceasefire, for the Acts to be repealed, and for the King to define the colonists rights.
    • It was rejected by King George III

  • The Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence
    • Written by Thomas Jefferson as a formal declaration of their independence from Great Britain
    • It expressed the Americans opinions and listed their complaints of why they choose to declare independence.
    • Passed July 4 1776