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The Navigation Acts
The Navigation Acts were a long series of English laws were put into place to promote the self sufficiency of the British Empire by restricting colonial trade to England and decreasing dependence on foreign imported goods. -
End of the French and Indian War/ 7 Years War
The French and Indian War began in 1754 and ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763. The war provided Great Britain enormous territorial gains in North America but disputes over frontier policy and paying the expenses caused by the war. -
The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was passed by the British to help pay for the Seven Years War by putting taxes on sugar. This increased duty on the sugar from the West Indies. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a law passed by the British to allow a tax on all printed papers used in the colonies, including stamps. Everything was on paper back then so colonists were outraged with the new tax on paper. -
The Quartering Act
The Quartering Act was an act put into place that required colonists to provide foods and homes for British troops. British men were allowed to show up to their house and move in for however long they wanted and the colonists couldn’t do anything about it. -
Townshend Act
The Townshend Act was a series of four acts passed by the British. This act taxed goods imported to the colonies. Things taxed include glass, white lead, paper, paint, and most importantly tea. The colonists refused any taxes without representation. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a deadly riot that occurred on King Street in Boston. Colonists were angry about the new Townshend Act and were rioting in the streets when soldiers opened fire on the Boston people. Five men were killed during the incident. Only two British were found guilty and they were released after being branded on the hand. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest that occurred at Griffin’s Wharf in Boston. Before, the British East India Tea Company had been facing bankruptcy so they decided to sell their tea cheaper. Colonists saw this as an attempt to trick them into accepting taxes. Then, on December 16, 1773 about 100 Bostonians disguised as Indians and smashed open 342 chests of tea and dumped the contents into the harbor. -
The Intolerable Acts
Parliament passed a series of acts to punish the port of Boston and the people of Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. The most drastic act passed what the Boston Port Act. This act closed the port completely until all the damage of the tea was paid. Restrictions were placed on town meetings and a new quartering act was put into place. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The first battle of the Revolutionary War, fought in Massachusetts. British troops had moved from Boston toward Lexington and Concord to seize the colonists military supplies. The troops were supposed to arrest ringleaders like Samuel Adams and a John Hancock. 8 American men were killed and many more were wounded. Redcoats then pushed onto Concord where they were ambushed and suffered heavy losses.
