-
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was an attempt made by Parliament to reduce British national debt by extorting money from the colonists, who the British had fought a war to protect. This act put 'stamps' which were put on legal documents and most paper-related goods. Each 'stamp' cost a sum of money, and that sum was the tax collected. This act was opposed by many of the colonists, with open protests out in the streets and petitions sent to the king. This act was repealed due to opposition on Marth 17, 1766. -
Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress was held in New York City, in the Fedral Hall. The main purpose of this Congress was to discuss the Stamp Act passed on November of the previous year. Representatives of nine colonies were present. The congress progressed despite protests. This congress passed acts that stated that Parliament could not tax the colonies and more. Hence the phrase 'no taxation without representation,' since the colonists thought that Parliament did not represent them fairly, -
Townshend Acts
On June 29, 1767, the most-remembered act of the Townshend Acts was passed. This act taxed goods that came to the colonies to get money to pay off the debt caused by the F&I war. Other acts under the Townshend Acts created Admiralty Courts and limited colonial legislature. -
Boston Massacre
Tensions broke out in New York, where soldiers had been quartered. An arguemtn between a soldier and a colonist formed, and by the end of the day, there were over 300 colonists and 10 soldiers. The colonists were taunting the soldiers to fire. They did, and the soldiers were arrested and put on trial the following morning.
Silversmith Paul Revere is known to have published a picture describing propoganda of the event, making the British look like monsters. Paul Revere is better known for -
Tea Act
The Tea Act was an attempt to increase the revenue of the British and to put smugglers in the colonies out of business. This act was met with violent opposition and led to the Boston Tea Party.
The Tea Act let the British company sell tea directly to the colonies without handling inbetween. -
Boston Tea Party
The Patriots in Boston decided that the Tea that was currently in boats in Boston Harbor could only be removed by force since the Govenor was not going to send the ships back. So, Patriots disguised as natives ran and dumped tea into Boston Harbor. The Sons of Liberty are usually linked with this event, the Sons of Liberty was a Patriot Group that was formed by many people with common goals getting together. -
Battle of Concord and Lexington
The British had planned to surprise the Patriots at Concord and Lexington and steal their supplies which were there. However, the Patriots were notified beforehand, and set up a counter-attack which turned into a victory.
The "shot heard 'round the word" refers to the first shot fired in this battle.
The British soldiers were commonly called redcoats--because of their bright red jackets.
The person that notified the Lexington millitia of the British army was none other than Paul Revere, who rode -
Second Continental Congress
This Congress kept on until March 6, 1781 and was attended by 50 representatives from 13 colonies. It formed a Continental Army from the colonial minutemen, proposed a peaceful solution with The Olive Branch Petition, and more.
George Washington, a representative from Virginia, was elected the leader of the newly formed Continental Army.
The Continental Army was made up of colonial millitia who had been without a leader and organization all this time. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill was a British assult to try and break the Seige of Boston. The colonists were driven off, but caused thrice the number of British casualties than Continental ones. This battle showed that the Patriots could stand up to the British. -
Olive Branch Petition
This was an act adopted by the Continental Congress. What it did was offer the British an oppertunity to get whatever means of concileation necesary from the colonists. What it also did was anger Patriots such as John Adams. -
First Continental Congress
This Congress was called because of the Intolerable Acts brought upon Boston by the acts of the Sons of Liberty at the Boston Tea Party. This Congress did two things in total: one, organize a boycott of all British goods starting December, and two, to set a date for a Second Continental Congress. -
Common Sense
Common Sense was a pamphlet published anonymously by Thomas Paine. Instead of using Greek or Latin references, Paine argued with references to the Bibile, which the general public understood better. This pamphlet was very influential and gained much poplularity. -
Declaration of Independance
The Declaration of Indepenence was a formal letter stating that the colonies are no longer tied to Britain in any way. It was authored by Thomas Jefferson, but many more key Patriots helped edit and revise the Declaratoin. The Declaration is famous for it's phrase--'every man has the right to life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness.'
Thomas Jefferson was a Patriot, and later the third president. He was an avid speaker and Patriot. He wrote the Declaration.
