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The Enlightenment
Through Western Europe, England, and the American colonies occured a time which is often referred to as the Age of Reason. Science, art, economy, and philosophy were increasingly popular and improving through out this time.
Rating: 10- I would rate the Enlightenment as a 10 because without this new found interest and knowledge no one would have the motivation for a revolution. -
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The French and Indian War
Lasting 7 years, this war was a massive conflict between America, Austria, England, France, Great Britain, Prussia, and Sweden. The English defeated the French and their allies, the Natives. in this war.
Rate: 6- I think even though the English won, it sparked more of a interest to defeat them and gain independence. -
Proclamatiton Line of 1763
After the end of the French and Indian war called for celebration, but at the same time new regulations by the British. To defer from any conflict with the Native Americans, colonists were no longer allowed to settle to the west of the Appalachian Mountains.
Rate: 6- I think this restriction created a slight notion of wanting independence to the colonists, but I don't think it was a crucial event. -
Stamp Act
Due to the debt from the war, the British began taxing the colonists on almost anything they could think of. The Stamp act was a tax on all printed documents including newspapers, fliers, mail, playing cards, etc.
Rate: 8- The beginning of unreasonable taxation started a realization of the unfair treatment of the colonists and was a step in the door of their revolution. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre isn't named very accurately, considering it wasn't very violent and resulted in the death of 5 people. The colonists stepped up to the British soldiers in protests and started a fight. Today, the Boston Massacre is thought to be much more than it actually was due to incorrect publicizing.
Rate: 9- Although it wasn't very bloody, it was violent in creating an anger among the colonists toward the British. -
Tea Act
Tea was a very common drink during this time in both England and the colonies. The next move of the British to raise money to pay off their debts was to put a new tax on tea.
Rate: 10- This tea act was the final straw in starting the revolution from the colonists. -
Boston Tea Party
The Sons of Liberty staged a protest against the Tea Act. Dressed up as Mohawk Indians, they snuck aboard British boats and threw hundreds of boxes of tea intho the Boston Harbor.
Rate: 8- This act represented courage and power of the colonists and showed that they were serious about what they were doing and ready to rebel. -
Intolerable Acts
As a result of the Boston Tea Party, the British decided to punish the colonists by putting three more acts into action. These acts included no trial by jury, the quartering acts, and the blockade of Boston.
Rate: 9- Now that the British were fighting back against the revolution it then meant that the colonists were going to have to step in up a notch in order to gain what they wanted. -
First Continental Congress
12 delegates, one from each colony, met in Philidelphia to address the King of England about the intolerable acts. They all contributed to write him a letter, which in the end got ignored.
Rate: 8- The King blatantly ignored their hard efforts which definitely would have angered a group of delegates, let alone any of the colonists who were affected by the Intolerable Acts. -
Lexington and Concord
On the way to Concord, Massetchusetts, British troops were confronted by a militia and farmers. Being more experienced and stronger, the British troops defeated the colonists. The New England fighters were volunteers and they had used guerilla warfare against their opponents.
Rate: 6- I don't think this was very important because it was a loss and losing can occasionally break down your efforts. The important part of this is that the colonists did not give up aftewards. -
Second Continental Congresss
The 12 delegates meet again to discuss what happened in Lexington and Concord. The idea of independence came into reality and they began to discuss it here. The votes were split 50/50 when it came to the idea of gaining independence from England.
Rate: 10- If this event didn't happen, our nation would not be where it is today. The notion of independence becoming a reality and Common Sense by Thomas Paine opened the colonists eyes into wanting to be their own nation. -
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson took the lead on creating the document declaring their independence from England. It was a unanimous decision between the 12 delegates. Listing 27 examples of British tyranny, Jefferson states it is our responsibility to become independent.
