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Sugar Act
Britain passed the Sugar Act which reduced the tax on molasses, this was meant to reduce smuggling. It encouraged colonists to just pay the tax. -
Washington's Defeat at Ft. Duquense/Ft. Necessity
In 1754, Washington battled the French and was forced to surrendered Fort Necessity (near present-day Pittsburgh) on July 4 1754. He continued as an officer in Ohio country. Washignton was attacked at Ft. Duquesne and was forced to surrender. The French released him rather than take him prisoner. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan of Union was proposed by Benjamin Franklin and it was intended to unite the colonies under a central government. It was the first atempt to unify the colonies and it was unsuccesful. -
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French and Indian War
The "Seven Years War" formally began on May 1 1756 although fighting had begun years earlier, The war ended on January 7th 1763 with the Treaty of Paris, -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris gave Britain control of lots of land including Canada, and the Ohio River Valley. -
Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was meant to stop Colonists from moving west of the Appalachian mountains, this territory was left for the Natives -
Stamp Act
The stamp act required colonists to buy stamps for all paper goods. This angered colonists leading to protests and the founding of the Sons of Liberty that were so influential in the Revolutonary war. It was repealed in March of 1776. -
Quartering Act
The Quartering act was meant to provide housing for British troops. The acts required colonies to provide housing and food for troops stationed in the colonies. -
Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty were a group of colonists who protested British acts. They orchestrated the infamous Boston Tea Party. The famed Paul Revere was a member of the Sons of Liberty. -
Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress was formed by colonists in order to organize protests against the Stamp Act. The congress was attended by 27 representatives who met in New York City. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act was issued the same day as the stamp act was repealed. It gave Britain the right to tax and make decisions for British colonists. It was like Britain saying, "We still own you." -
Townshend Act
The Townshend Acts placed a tax on imported items such as tea, glass, paper, and lead. Colonists boycotted imported goods. Also, female colonists formed groups called the daughters of liberty, they encouraged colonists to wear homeade fabric and goods. -
Daughters of Liberty
The Daughters of Liberty helped to boycott British acts like the Townshend acts. The Daughters of Liberty encouraged the use of homemade fabrics and goods. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was caused by a mob of colonists pressing down onto British Sodliers. The soldiers ended up killing 5 colonists. This was used by the Sons of Liberty as propaganda. -
Commitees of Correspondence
Commitees of Correspondence were used by Colonial Leaders to form greater communication between colonies. All of the colonists in the comitees had the same desire, to overthrow the Royals in America. The committees were an attempt to organize a resistance. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act introduced act forced the East India Tea Company to sail directly to the colonies rather than going to Britaint first. This allowed the company to sell its tea for cheaper, but the colonists saw it as a way to get the monoply on tea back inot the East India Tea Company's hands. The colonists all saw it as a ploy to help Britain tax colonists. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists were angered by the tea act. When the ships reached the harbor that night nobody knew they could be about to start a war. The Sons of Liberty boarded the ships and dumped all the tea into the harbor. Many historians credit this event for causing the American Revolution, our at least causing it to occur decades earlier. -
Coercive Acts
These acts were referred to by Colonists as "The Intolerable Acts." The acts were a response to the Boston Tea Party. The Boston harbor was closed, and the Massachusetts government officials had to be elected by the king. -
Quebec Act
This act was created because the British Empire feared that the French Canadians would soon revolt. The act restated the borders of the French province of Quebec. The province was made 3 times larger. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress brought delegates of 12 of the 13 colonies together in Pennsylvania. Georgia had nobody present because it was considered a convict state. There were 56 members in attendance. The reason they were meeting was to discuss how they should handle the colonial grievances with the king. -
Battles of Lexington & Concord
These were the first battles of the Revolutionary war. The "Shot heard around the world" occured at Lexington. Nobody knows who fired first, but we do know it started a war. British won at Lexington and marched on to Concord. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress met in an effort to coordinate war efforts. The Congress was to continue until March, 2 1789. It was at this congress that the delegates decided to declare independence from Britain in 1776. -
The Battle for Bunker Hill
Although this battle was considered a British victory they suffered a large number of casualties. Some historians say this battle changed the tide of the war. Most of the fighting actually occured at Breed's Hill. -
Signing of the declaration of independence
This is the day that we became a country. First, Thomas Jefferson wrote the declaration. Next it was debated on and edited by the continental congress, and finally it was signed. The declaration was a statement that colonists sent to the british, "We will live free or die."
