-
Period: to
The French and Indian War
The French and British had the most territorial disputes within North America during this war. Both countries wanted access to the profitable fur trade business and the cheap fertile land west of the Appalachian Mountains. Although the British lost majority of the initial battles they ultimately won the war. The war caused relations to worsen between the British and the Colonists. The colonists were angry with the Proclamation Line of 1763 and the taxes they were forced to pay. -
The Sugar Act
The British Parliament passed the Sugar Act in 1764 in order to help pay for their debt from the French and Indian War as well as to pay for the troops guarding the Proclamation Line of 1763. It forced the colonists to pay a 3 cent tax on goods like sugar, coffee, indigo and certain kinds of alcohol. The colonists were not happy with this law because they had no say in parliament. The slogan “No Taxation without Representation” became popular in the co -
The Stamp Act
The British Parliament passed the Stamp Act to support the British soldiers protecting the Proclamation Line. This act required that colonists purchase a stamp and it had to be placed on all important documents like court papers and newspapers. The colonists were angry because they were paying for troops that were keeping them out of the land they had just fought for in the French and Indian War and they still had no representation in Parliament. This led to an increase in colonial protests. -
The Sons of Liberty
A well-organized political organization shrouded in secrecy that was established to undermine British rule in colonial America. This group sprang up in port cities like Boston and NYC. -
The Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts taxed imported items such as paper, glass, paint and tea. The English Parliament passed this act to cover costs of the French and Indian War, as well as to show that they still had power over the colonies. The colonists were outraged with this act so they held public demonstrations, boycotted products and smuggled in goods. Parliament eventually decided to repeal this act because of colonial protests. -
The Boston Massacre
On March 5 1770 there was a violent confrontation between the British soldiers and the colonists in Boston and colonists.The colonists are angry because of all the taxes and that they had no representation in Parliament. A mob of colonists started provoking and throwing things at the British Soldiers. In the confusion the soldiers fired into the mob and killed a few colonists. This is significant because it was one of the first big protest held by the patriots. -
The Tea Act
In 1773 Parliament passed the tea act. This new tax law was not designed to raise taxes in the colonies. The tea act was created to help the East India Company who was facing financial difficulty. This law gave the company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies.The colonist were not happy about this and refused to by the tea and some wouldn't let the ships dock. This is important because this leads to the Boston tea party and it shows that even colonist who didn't want war were mad about this. -
The Boston Tea Party
Following the tea act, the sons of liberty, dressed as Natives, boarded ships that contained tea. Once they were on the ships they opened crates of tea and dumped them into the sea. This is significant because it shows how the some of the colonists are really feeling about the acts. It is also significant because it was another big protest. -
The Coercive (Intolerable) Acts
As punishment for the Boston tea party parliament passed the intolerable acts. These acts shut down the harbor, allowed troops to go to England for trail, allowed troops to stay in colonists houses and colonists were forced to house and feed them, and they lost their right to govern themselves.This is significant because it is showing how even colonists who are loyal or neutral are still affected by the patriots and the protest. -
Period: to
The First Continental Congress
It was a meeting held in carpenter's hall, Philadelphia, PA to discuss the crisis with England and express their anger. Many people were there like George Washington, John Adams, and John Jay. They wrote a petition to the king saying that they were still loyal to the king and if the coercive acts were not repealed they would boycott products and would stop exporting goods. This is important because it is the first time that the colonies have come together to do something about the British. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
British troops were heading to Lexington and Concord to arrest patriots and take weapons. Paul Revere warned the colonists so 60 men were ready to fight. The first shot is known as the shot heard around the world. After the battle the British reached Concord and tried to raid the arms stash but they did not succeed because the weapons were hidden. When the troops headed to Boston many colonists followed and shot at them the whole way. This marked the start of the American Revolution.
