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Although it reduced the tax on molasses, the Sugar Act was strictly enforced, so colonist ended up paying more taxes.
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The Stamp Act was the tax on printed items was the first direct tax on the colonists. It added a fee to printed materials such as legal documents and newspapers.
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Following the French and Indian War, Britain maintained a standing army in the colonies. The Quartering Act required colonial assemblies to house and provision soldiers
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Those who opposed the British taxes called themselves “Patriots” and the Sons of Liberty was born with Sam Adams as its leader.
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A Mob led by the Sons of Liberty tore down the office and damaged the house of the stamp collector.
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The Declatory Act repealed the Stamp Act but asserted Parliament’s right to rule the colonies as saw fit.
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A group of colonist hurled snowballs and rocks at British soldiers guarding the Customs House. The soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five colonists.
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The Tea Act was created to save the East India Tea Company. Although it lowered the price of tea, it gave the company a monopoly and threatened the business of colonial importers.
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Boston Patriots dressed as Indians, boarded three British ships laden with tea and Dumped the tea into the harbor. The event became known as the Boston Tea Party.
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The Intolerable Act officially called the Coercive Acts, these laws were meant to force Massachusetts to pay for the tea destroyed in the Boston Tea Party. The laws closed Boston Harbor/forced colonists to let British soldiers live w them
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The First Continental Congress meets. Agree to boycott British goods.
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Patrick Henry, gives his most famous speech, in the House of Burgesses. “Give me Liberty or give me Death.”
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Battles of Lexington and Concord.
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Second Continental Congress meets. Congress names George Washington commander of Continental Army.
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Congress sends an “Olive Branch” to King George III. He rejected the petition and sent more troops to Boston.
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Battle of Bunker Hill
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Import taxes on a variety of goods were collected to support royal officials in the colonies, removing the responsibility from the colonial assemblies. The Townsend Acts were so unpopular that all the taxes wererepealed, except the one on tea.
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Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense
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Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence was approved.
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Patriots win in Saratoga.
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Baron Von Steuben starts training the Continental Army at Valley Forge, Penn. from winter of 1777 to the winter of 1778
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France signs an alliance with the United States.
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General Clinton captures 3000 Patriot soldiers as he takes Charlestown, South Carolina.
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General Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown.
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Treaty of Paris signed.
