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Proclamation of 1763
King George III ordered no more colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. Colonist wanted more land and many moved west anyways, ignoring the law. -
Stamp Act
This act was the first direct tax on all the colonist. Almost all printed materials were taxed, including newspapers, posters, deeds, and even playing cards. The Sons of Liberty organized demonstrations and terrorized tax collectors. Also, the colonist protested and boycotted which caused England to repeal. -
Sugar Act
This law taxed sugar and molasses. It mainly impacted merchants. Many felt as England had no right to pass taxes if colonies had no representatives in British Parliament. "No taxation without representation" -
Quartering Act
Required colonists to house the British troops in their homes. Formed the third amendment to the US Constitution. -
Declaratory Act
This law declared England's authority to make laws for the colonies. Was passed because England repealed the Stamp Act. -
Townshend Acts
This series of acts taxed items like tea, paper, and glass. Samuel Adams distributed the " circular letter" criticizing the Act. Colonist resumed the non-importation agreements. -
Boston Masscre
British soldiers fired and killed 5 colonist. Samuel Adams used newspapers to portray England as oppressive tyrants. -
Committee of Correspondence
The colonist were furious because of the Intolerable Acts. The Committees of Correspondence called for colonies to send delegates to a colonial congress do discuss what to do next. -
Tea Act
This act lowered the tax on British tea, making it cheaper than the non-British tea colonists smuggled. The colonist were mad and felt forced to buy British tea. The responded by the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was the colonist responds to the Tea Act. The colonist, disguised as Indians, dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. -
Intolerable/ Coercive Acts
England decided to punish the colonist for the Boston Tea Party by shutting down Boston Harbor, stopping elections, and expanding the Quarters Act. More British troops were sent to the colonies to keep order. -
"Shot Heard Around The World"
Considered as the start of the American revolution. The British were sent to Concord to capture militia supplies and Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Paul Revere went ahead and warned everyone that the "British were coming." -
Common Sense
Written by Thomas Paine, to influence independence. Was influenced by the Enlightenment ideas on natural rights and compact theory. -
Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson. Claims that all men are created equal and had natural rights. It was the official start of the American Revolution.
