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Proclamation of 1763
After the end of the French and Indian war, King George issued the Proclamation of 1763, which forbade colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. This angered the colonists because after fighting so long for the fertile Ohio River valley, they still couldn't settle it. -
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The Road to Revoltution
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The Sugar Act
This act lowered the tax on sugar and molasses. Greenville (Britain's Prime Minister) had passed this act in hope of encouraging colonists to pay the tax instead of smuggling the goods. The Act also gave officers the right to seize goods from accused smugglers without trying them in court. This infuriated colonists and brought up the saying ¨No Taxation without representation.¨ -
The Stamp Act
This law places tax on almost all printed materials, such as newspapers, wills, and even playing cards.This made colonists furious because they believed that only their representative assemblies could tax them. This caused the creation of things such as the ¨Sons of Liberty¨ and brought up multiple boycotts. -
Parliament Repeals the Stamp Act
Parliament finally repealed the act on March 18, 1766, but it said that it had the right to make the decision to tax the colonists ¨in all cases.¨ -
The Townshend Acts
The Townshend Act put a tax on imports such as glass, tea, and paper. The Stamp Act taught the British that colonists would resist internal taxes, those paid in the colonies, so this tax was paid before the goods made it to America. This lead to protests and boycotts from the Sons and Daughters of Liberty. -
First Wave of British Troops Reach Boston
In 1768, the British officials began to get nervous, sensing that a rebellion might happen at any moment. When the British government was informed that the colonies were getting unstable, Parliament sent troops to Boston. This angered colonists because they had to pay tax´s to keep the troops and the soldiers were rude to the colonists. -
Fighting Breaks Out! The Boston Massacre!
Nearly two years after the British had sent soldiers to occupy Boston, fighting broke out between the colonists and the British soldiers. As the British officers tried to calm the crowd, colonists threw rocks and snowballs at the British. In the confusion and panic, one British soldier fired, which caused the others to fire as well. Once the smoke cleared, 5 colonists were dead. Crispus Attucks is the first colonist killed by the British at the Boston Massacre. -
British Repeal Townshend Act
British Parliament repeals the hated Townshend Act. -
The Tea Act
With the British East India Company on the verge of financial ruin, the British Parliament gave them control of the tea market in the colonies. The tea act also lowered the tax on tea to encourage colonists to buy the tea, but the colonists were infuriated and answered to the Tea Act with boycotts. -
"Boston Tea Party"
Colonists who were part of the Sons of Liberty dressed up as Native Americans board three ships, dumping 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbour. -
Coercive Acts
After the Boston Tea Party, Britain passed the Coercive Acts to assert their power in the colonies. It went from banning town meetings to forcing colonists to let soldiers in their house whenever they wanted. This angered the colonists and was one of the main factors that pushed them to rebellion. -
Quebec Act is Passed
Created law and government for Canada, and expanded their territory to the Ohio River Valley, which ignored the colonists claims to that region. -
First Continental Congress is Held
On this date, 55 delegates from the colonies gathered in secret to discuss the matter of the oppressive British. They called for the repeal of the Coercive Acts and called them illegal. -
The Ride of Paul Revere
While on look out for unusual activity, Dr. Warren saw the incoming British troops. Quickly he alerted Paul Revere and William Dawe so they could alert Concord and Lexington. Both were captured, so Samuel Prescott had to carry the message to Concord. -
First Shots at Lexington are Fired.
At dawn, the British soldiers made it to Lexington. Right before the colonist militia men could back off from the battle, a shot was fired and when the smoke cleared, 8 minutemen were dead. They headed on to Concord, but suffered heavy losses and retreated to Boston. -
Surrender at Ticonderoga
On the 10th of May, 1775, the British surrender at Fort Ticonderoga after being attacked by a group of militiamen. -
2nd Continental Congress Meets
Many delegates from the first Continental Congress came back with some new faces to talk about the blood that had been spilled at multiple battles. Although they were mad they were not ready for independence. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
After setting up posts on Bunker and Breed's hill, the British came to crush the colonists army. Low on ammunition, Cpt. William Prescott told his men not to fire until they saw the "White of the enemy's eyes." Although this was a British Victory, the British learned that defeating the colonists would not be easy with over 1000 casualties. -
The British Retreat from Boston
Caught by surprise, British commander William Howe retreated to his ships when he realized that the impending battle was not one he could win. On this day, Washington and his men marched into the city after their victory over the British. -
The Declaration of Independence is Signed
Fifty-six delegates from the 2nd Continental Congress sign the Declaration of Independence, which stated that the colonies were dissolving all ties with the British Government. It also announced the birth of the United States as a free and sovereign country. The American Revolution had begun.
