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Sugar Act
- Indirect tax (out of sight = out of mind)
- Duties on molasses and sugar
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Stamp Act
- Tax on all paper products
- Official stamp/seal on all paper items (proof tax was paid)
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Declaratory Act
- Parliament declares it has power to make laws for the colonies “in all cases whatsoever”
- Parliament passes this to save face
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Townshend Acts
- Taxes on glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea
- Searched for smuggled goods
- Sons of Liberty start to do violent acts
- British Soldiers arrive to protect tax collectors
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Tea Act
- Passed in 1773 and allowed British East India Company (BEIC) to sell tea directly to colonists
- Lower Prices than colonist merchant prices
- Tax Tea cheaper than smuggled tea
- Less smuggling = more tax money
- Colonial Merchants feared BEIC would put them out of business
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Intolerable Acts
- Passed to punish Boston for Tea Party
- Boston Harbor Closed until tea paid for
- Massachusetts Charter cancelled
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Quartering Act
- Quartering Act required colonists to house soldiers
- “If a soldier comes knocking at the door…. you’re sleeping on the floor”
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First Continental Congress meets
All colonies but Georgia have representatives. Voted to send a "statement of grievances". Voted to Boycott all British Trade. Patrick Henry - VA rep. urged colonists to unite against Britain. -
1,000's of Redcoats in Boston
General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way. -
Midnight ride of Paul Revere
Paul Revere rides to warn the Sons of Liberty in Lexington and Concord that the "British are coming... The British are coming.." -
Battles of Lexington & Concord
Battle of Lexington -
- 1st battle of American Revolutionary War
- "shot heard round the world" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
- BRITISH Victory
Battle of Concord -
- Americans Stop British and force them to retreat back to Boston
- AMERICAN Victory -
The Second Continental Congress Meet
Print $$$$
Set up post office
Created Continental Army led by George Washington
Sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights
King hires 30,000 Hessians Soldiers in response -
Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental Troops
Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline
Need weapons -
"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
Pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
"Every thing that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART" - Thomas Paine, Common Sense -
British Surrender Boston
Washington believes his army is ready & weapons arrive
Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
BRITISH retreat - AMERICAN Victory -
Second Continental Congress meet again
Debate on declaring independence
Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document -
Second Continental Congress votes for independence
All 13 colonies voted YES on declaring independence -
The Declaration of Independence is signed!