The Road to the Revolution

By SeongJoo

  • The Proclamation of 1763

    An order in which Britain prohibited its American colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. The colonists were angry because of this, and thought they had won the right to settle in the Ohio River Valley. This event sparked the beginning of the hate towards Britain and its King.

  • The Sugar Act

    A law passed by Parliament in 1764 that placed a tax on sugar, molasses, and other products shipped to the colonies. It also called for harsh punishment of smugglers. Colonial merchants, who often traded in smuggled goods, reacted with anger.

  • The Stamp Act

    A law passed by Parliament that required all legal and commercial documents to carry an official stamp showing a tax had been paid. The Stamp Act mainly affected merchants but did fall directly on all colonists. Colonial leaders vigorously protested, since being taxed without their consent in a government where they had no voice was unfair.

  • The Quartering Act

    A law passed by Parliament that requried the colonies to house and supply British soldiers. The colonists objected to the Quartering Act because of the cost, and that the Quartering Act was indicative of a policy Americans did not support.

  • The Townshend Acts

    A series of laws passed by Parliament that suspended New York's assembly and established taxes on goods brought into the British colonies. Protest immediately broke out at news of the Townshend Acts, and colonists felt that the Townshend Acts were a serious threat to their rights and freedoms.

  • The Boston Massacre

    The Boston Massacre was a clash between British soldiers and Boston colonists in which five colonists were killed. The massacre led directly to the Royal Governor evacuating the occupying army from the town of Boston, and would soon bring the revolution to armed rebellion throughout the colonies.

  • The Boston Tea Party

    The dumping of 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor by colonists to protest the Tea Act. Many colonists rejoiced at the news, and believed that Britain would now see how strongly colonists opposed taxation without representation. This event was significant because it caused Britain to react in such away that it would fan the flames of rebellion in the thirteen colonies.

  • The Intolerable Acts

    The Intolerable Acts were series of laws enacted by Parliament to punish Massachusetts colonists for the Boston Tea Party. This event would lead to a meeting of colonial delegates, also known as the First Continental Congress, to discuss what to do next.

  • The First Continental Congress meets

    Delegates from all the colonies except Georgia held a meeting to uphold colonial rights. Most delegates weren't ready to call for independence, while they were determined to uphold colonial rights. This meeting planted the seeds of a future independent government.

  • Battle of Lexington and Concord

    The Battle of Lexington and Concord were the first battles of the American Revolution. This event was significant because it made Americans choose between sides, and made conflict between the two sides (Patriots and Loyalists) dived communities, families, and friends.

  • Second Continental Congress

    The Second Continental Congress was a governing body whose delegates agreed to form the Continental Army and to approve the Declaratoin of Independence. This was an important event because the colonies now had an army of their own and also authorized the printing of paper money to pay the troops. It was beginning to act as a government.

  • Battle of Bunker Hill

    The bloody battle between colonial militiamen and British troops in which the British drive the Americans from Breed's Hill. This event was significant because it showed that an inexperienced colonial militia could hold its own against the world's most powerful army.

  • Olive Branch Petition

    The Olive Branch Petition was a document that asked the king to restore harmony between Britain and the colonies. It was the colonies' last attempt at peace, but the King rejected the petition anyways, saying that "the rebels will submit once they've felt a smart blow." This was significant because it made Washington train the army and gather supplies.

  • Publication of Common Sense

    Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, which made a strong case for American independence. This event was significant because it helped convince many Americans that a complete break with Britain was necessary.

  • The British Retreat from Boston

    Americans threatened to bombard the city via cannons, and in response, General Howe, who was in charge of the British forces, decided to withdraw his troops. The retreat made the anti-British feeling in Boston grow stronger as Boston Patriots joyfully reclaimed their city.

  • Signing of the Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence was as document in which the colonies declared indpendence from Britain. It explained the reasons for breaking with Britain, and declared the colonies to be free and independendent states. This event was significant because Americans had declared their independence, and it showed that the Americans were ready to fight for their freedom.