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Period: to
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The Navigation Laws
The Navigation Laws were passed by Britain to cut off trade to and from the American colonies. Some of the laws stated:
-Only British ships were allowed to transport goods to and from the colonies.
-British citizens were the only people allowed to trade with the Americans.
-American goods produced in the colonies could only go to Britain.
However the American colonists did not agree with these laws and secrectly traded with other colonies in the Caribbean. -
The Seven Years War (began)
The Seven Years War also know as The French and Indian War had England and Prussia against France, Spain, Austria, and Russia fighting mostly over land and trade. This war united the Americans who had not work together til now. -
The Seven Years War (ended)
As France kept losing battles they got weaker and weaker and eventually lost the war. France lost Canada and Louisianna and Britain gained most of North America. There was alot of debt after the war for Britain. The British thought it was only fair to have the American colonists repay the debt, which led to British taxes on the colonies. -
Committees of Correspondence (Boston)
First Committee formed. They were formed by legislatures of colonies or from the Sons of Liberty. These men coordinated actions against Britain. They also maintained communication between each colony. Eventually each colony forms one. -
Committees of Correspondence (Boston) (continued)
(Sons of Liberty) The first step as we formed was to tell colonists they had rights too, and Parliament was violating those. We also had to keep communication throughout the colonies so we knew what happened in each. The different acts formed upset the colonists and we had to take action. The creation of the First Continental Congress was our best action yet. -
Quartering Acts
An Intolerable Act that required colonists to house, feed, and transport British soldiers. Colonists were furious about this because it took food and house space away from them. -
Virtual Representation(Began)
The idea that instead of everybody representing themselves, one person represents a group of people. This was used alot in England so the British passed this idea down to the colonist after their revolt againist the Stamp Act. The colonist were angered and rejected their idea immediatly. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a British tax on American printed paper. This tax outraged the colonist because it was not approved by colonial legislatures. The colonist believed only their representitives could tax them. They revolted until England repealed the tax. Patrick Henry became famous during this time for his impowering speeched given to the colonist. -
The Stamp Act (continued
(Patrick Henry) The Stamp Act will not be tolerated. It may be one tax, however that could lead to more and more taxes. We can not sit still and watch them power over us. Give me liberty, or give me death! -
"American" consumer boycott
After the Stamp Act was passed colonists boycotted many British goods which then caused imports to the colonies to go down from 2,250,000 pounds to 1,944,000 pounds. -
"American" consumer boycott (continued)
(Sons of Liberty) Its not fair that England can just push taxes on us without our agreement. We have to show Britian what we're willing to do. We will boycott whatever they try to sell us. We will steal, chant, and riot until they hear us. Because we are Americans not just property of England. -
Declaratory Act
British Parliament passed this stating they had full control over the colonies. This outraged the colonists, which unified them to want to fight for their independence. Colonists called this act "crisis" or "treason." -
The Townshend Tea Tax
The Townshend Tea Tax was another British tax on American colonies. The British taxed lead, paper, paint, glass, and tea. Outraged colonist started boycotting British goods. This tax also led to the Boston Tea Party, where American colonists dumped over 90,000 pounds of British tea. (James Otis) Britain does not undeestand we all have a voice. All of our opinions matter and should be heard. We can"t have Britain making us pay taxes we have not approved. No taxation without representation right? -
British occupation of Boston
2,000 British troops were sent to Boston to enforce the Townshend Act. They were trying to reduce the disobediant acts of smugglers and colonists themselves. This also tried to prove that Britain controlled them. This brought the Boston Massacre up. -
The Boston Massacre
Since the Americans did not like Britian's taxes, Britian sent armed forces to the colonies to enforce the taxes. A group of colonists known as Patriots started to ridicule the British soldiers and eventually threw snowballs and other objects at them. One British soldiers fired and the rest followed resulting in five dead colonists. Tension began to rise between England and the colonies and this tragic event helped bring the colonist closer. -
Virtual Representation(Ended)
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The Intolerable Acts
Britain laws that the colonies named Intolerable Act. The laws were actually punishment on the colonies for their revolting (ex: the Boston Tea Party) and restricted the colonies freedem. -
The Boston Port Act
An Intolerable Act shutting down the port of Boston. Was in effect after the Boston Tea Party. Lead to the formation of the Declaration of Rights and Grievances. -
The Quebec Act
The Quebec Act was one of the Intorable Acts that the Brititsh designed to favor the French in Canada. The act gave more land to Quebec, but it also took land away from American colonist that they had already claimed. This angered the colonist even more against Britain. -
The First Continental Congress
Met in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. Had delegates from each colony except Georgia who refused. Formed in response to the Intolerable Acts. Truly didn't want independence, just to right the wrongs put on the colonies. Wanted American and British Parliament to work together on governing the colonies. -
Lexington and Concord
First battle of the American Revolution. Located in Middlesex, Massachusettes Bay. 90 militiamen were wounded or killed. 250 Redcoats were wounded or killed. Signified that the colonists could stand for their freedom, against the best army in the world.
(Paul Revere) I noticed something odd one day when the British were "inspecting" a ship. I had to tell my fellow colonists that the British were coming. I rode with my friends William Dawes and Samuel Prescott. They were gladly warned in time. -
Thomas Paine "Common Sense"
Pamphlet by Thomas Paine. This inspired the colonists for freedom. This was the first written work to directly ask for independence. "Society is everything, government is an institution." He uses rhetoric and language as propaganda.
(Thomas Paine) I have to convince the colonists somehow to declare war against Britain. I need the colonists to see that we need seperation from England. Setting this trail should help spark an interest in wanting independence. Britain will be no match against us. -
Adam Smith "the Wealth of Nations"
A book by Adam Smith which contained many themes of the economy. (1) wealth comes from good and services created
(2) break production down into smaller tasks (3) the more invested, the more wealth for the future (4) the system is automatic (5) governement should be limited. Today, this book gives solution to troubling economic problems. -
Adam Smith "the Wealth of Nations" (continued)
(Adam Smith) I need men to think of the future and not right now. I need the governement to be limited and do only the job they are assigned to. I also need a free-market economy so taxes are low and make consumers happy. The economy is an automatic type, the more consumers, the more money, the more money, the more production and revenue.
