The long road to independance

  • The Sugar Act

    Although it reduced the tax on molasses, the Sugar Act was strictly enforced, so colonist ended up paying more taxes
  • Sons of liberty born

    Sons of liberty born
    Those who opposed the British taxes called themselves “Patriots” and the Sons of Liberty was born with Sam Adams as its leader.
  • The stamp act

    The stamp act
    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.
  • French and Indian War

    French and Indian War
    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
  • The Declatory Act

    The Declatory Act repealed the Stamp Act but asserted Parliament’s right to rule the colonies as saw fit.
  • The townshend act

    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 The Townsend Acts were so unpopular that all the taxes were repealed, except the one on tea.
  • The boston massacre

    The boston massacre
    A group of colonist hurled snowballs and rocks at British soldiers guarding the Customs House. The soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five colonists.
  • The Tea Act

    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.
  • The Boston Tea Party

    The Boston Tea Party
    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.
  • The Intolerable Act officially called the Coercive Acts

    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 and forced colonists to house British soldiers in their homes.
  • The First Continental Congress meets

    The First Continental Congress meets. Agree to boycott British goods.
  • Congress send an olive branch

    Congress sends an “Olive Branch” to King George III. He rejected the petition and sent more troops to Boston.
  • Patrick Henry gives famous speech

    Patrick Henry gives famous speech
    Patrick Henry, gives his most famous speech, in the House of Burgesses. “Give me Liberty or give me Death”
  • Battle of lexington and concord

    Battles of Lexington and Concord
  • Washington's named commander of continental army

    Washington's named commander of continental army
    Second Continental Congress meets. Congress names George Washington commander of Continental Army
  • Battle of Bunker Hill

    Battle of Bunker Hill
  • Common sense is published

    Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense
  • Declaration of independence was approved

    Declaration of independence was approved
    Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence was approved.
  • Baron Von Steuben trains the Continental Army

    Winter 1777-1778 Baron Von Steuben trains the Continental Army at Valley Forge, Penn.
  • Patriots win in Saratoga

    Patriots win in Saratoga
    Patriots win in Saratoga
  • France signs an alliance

    France signs an alliance
    France signs an alliance with the United States.
  • Clinton captures soldiers

    General Clinton captures 3000 Patriot soldiers as he takes Charlestown, South Carolina.
  • General Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown.

    Oct 19th 1781 General Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown.
  • Treaty of paris signed

    Treaty of Paris signed.