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Road To The Revolution
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French and Indian War
After the British won the French and Indian war, they blamed the American colonists for causing the war and raised taxes on the colonists to pay for the war debt. The British also installed troops in the colonies to enforce the taxes. The Proclamation Line was then established where colonists were not allowed to settle west of the Appalacian Mountains to prevent further battles with the Indians. -
Proclamation Line
The Proclamation Line was established by the British government to prevent the colonists from creating more unrest and battles with the Indians. Having just faught a war and won the rights to the Ohio River Valley west of the Appalacian mountains, the colonists were angry with the British government's wanton ruling. -
Stamp Act
One of the taxes issued as a result of the French and Indian war was the Stamp Act. This was a direct tax on all printed goods. This tax began the first planned organization of revolt against the British government. Annoyed and thinking that their right had been violated, the colonists formed the Stamp Act Congress, the Sons of Liberty, and the Daughters of Liberty. The Sons of Liberty, led by Sam Adams, especially emphasized boycotts and non-importation of British goods. -
Boston Massacre
As a result of the stamp tax, groups of colonial rebels were formed. Disaster struck when an angry mob of colonists broke out around a group of Britsh soldiers.Fire broke out and five colonists were killed and six others were injured. The colonials used this event as a form of propaganda. Soon after, Paul Revere published a picture of the "Bloody Boston Massacre" depicting the British soldiers, unprovoked, maliciously shooting at colonists. This sparked the colonists' anger toward the British. -
Tea Act
When the British Esat India Company began to be in danger of bankruptcy, the British installed a Tea Act in the colonies to boost their revenue. This act put a tax on British tea and forced the colonists to by tea from the British. Colonists quickly grew angry with the British government. Their patriotid spirit of rebellion began to increase. -
Boston Tea Party
Sam Adams and the Sons of Liberty began to devise a plan to rebel against the British and their newly established tea act. In the dark of night, the group dressed as Indians and dumped one million dollars worth of tea into the Boston Harbor. After finding out of the incident, King George III was furious with the meddlesome colonists and decide that the best way to keep them under control was by martial law. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were established by King George III in response to the loss of money caused by the Boston Tea Party. King George III wanted to reduce the colonies to a state of dependence and totally isolate Boston. These acts allowed nothing to leave or enter Boston. They nullifed the Massachusetts government. They forbid trials on British soldiers in America and reinforced the First Quartering Act. Colonists then called for their first intercolonial meeting. -
First Continental Congress
The colonists established the First Continental Congress in response to the Intolerable Acts. They wanted to know what their rights were and how they should defend themselves. They supported boycotts and non-importation and even created Committees of Correspondence in each colony to enforce rebellion. The rebellious colonists caused a lot of trouble within the British military stationed int he colonies. -
Battles at Lexington and Concord
When King George III hears of the militias being formed he realizes he has to react immediately. He devises a plan to seize leaders and the ammunition supply held in concord. However, the British are slow and the spy network and the use the beacon system quickly alerts the colonies of the attack. The colonists hide the supplies and kill 273 British soldiers along the way. These battles destroys the secrecy of the colonial militias and openly tells King George III of their intentions. -
Declaration of Independence
After a large move toward Independence and the failure of the Olive Branch Petition, the Second Continental Congress decides to write an official Declaration of Independence. The document states that the American colonies are officially separating themselves from Britain and the reasons for their actions. It espresses the American minds and establishes a time of full blown war.
