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The Grenville Acts
These acts were passed to get money from the colonists to help pay for the French and Indian War. The act that the colonists were most upset with was the Sugar Act. This placed taxes on sugar, coffee, and textiles. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act passes parliament. This was the first direct tax on the colonies. The purpose of the tax was to help pay for the British military stationed in America. This act made the colonists very upset and began them screaming out "Taxation without Representation." -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act goes into effect in which the King made the colonists provide housing for all British troops stationed in America. -
The Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty organizations are founded in towns across the colonies in order to fight against the stamp agents. The Sons of Liberty often fought back with violence. -
The Stamp Act Goes into Effect
The Stamp Act goes into effect and all business is basically stopped because the colonists refused to use the stamps. -
Benjamin Franklin and Parliament
Benjamin Franklin testifies before Parliament about the Stamp Act and warns them that if the military is used to enforce it, it could lead to open rebellion. -
Stamp Act Repealed
The Stamp Act was repealed which should have been a victory for the colonists but sadly it wasn't. The British Parliament passed the Declaratory Act at the same time. This gave the British government and the King the power to make any laws for the colonies without limits. Basically, they could now pass any laws against the colonies that they wanted to. -
Townshend Acts
The British Parliament passes the Townshend Acts, which taxed the colonists on items like paper, glass, and tea. They also set up more government structures within the towns that allowed them to enforce these new taxes on the colonists. -
Boston Fights Back
Boston decides to again not to import goods from Great Britain. They did this to fight back against the Townshend Acts. -
Things Heat Up Between the Colonists and Great Britain
In February, Sam Adams sends a letter arguing against the Townshend Acts and it starts to get support from others. The King and Parliament aren't happy about the letter. The British captured John Hancock's ship in June because he was smuggling in goods from other countries to avoid the taxes. The British officials are threatened with violence and they escape but they send word back to Britain and the King sends warships and soldiers to deal with the colonists. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurs killing 5 colonists and injuring 6. -
Townshend Act Repealed
The King and Parliament repeal almost all of the Townshend Act. They do leave the tax on TEA! -
British Ship Attacked
The British customs ships are attacked off the coast of Rhode Island. The British men were put on shore and the boat was burned and destroyed. The colonists who were responsible were sent to England for trial, which upset many colonists because it violated self-rule. -
The Tea Act
The Tea Act goes into effect and the East India Company is given the right and ability to undersell colonial merchants. -
The Boston Tea Party
After months of being upset about the Tea Act, a group of Boston colonists (led by the Sons of Liberty) dressed up like Mohawk Indians, boarded tea ships anchored in the Boston Harbor. They dumped 342 large barrels of tea into the water. -
The Coercive Acts
The Coercive Acts pass parliament. One of these is the Boston Port Bill, which doesn't allow any shipping except for military supplies and other approved cargo to go through the port until the customs duties and the damages of the Boston Tea Party are paid for. -
General Thomas Gage
General Thomas Gage is sent to America. He arrives in Boston with several soldiers. He is there is get the colonists in order and to punish any colonists who rebel against the King. -
Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress meets with 56 delegates in Carpenters Hall in Philadelphia. -
The First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress adopts a Declaration and makes a decision to stand against the Coercive Acts, The Quebec Acts, the Quartering of soldiers, and other British actions. They decide to stand for the rights of colonists including that of "life, liberty, and property." -
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry gives his famous "Give me liberty or give me death," speech at the Virginia convention. -
New England Restraining Act
The King endorses the New England Restraining Act that does not allow for trade with countries other than England and also doesn't allow colonists to fish in the North Atlantic. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
Most historians believe this was the beginning of the actual American Revolution. This battle started when the British troops headed to destroy a large amount of colonial weapons in Concord, Massachusetts. -
Commander-in-Chief
The Continental Congress appoints George Washington commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" was published in Philadelphia. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence. This was the most famous and popular break up letter in American history. This is OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY!!
