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French and Indian War
War for land between the French and Indian allies and the British. After 7 years of fighting, the war ended in 1763 with the sigining of the Treaty of Paris which forced France to give up Canada and all lands east of the Mississippi to Great Britain. -
The Proclamation of 1763
Proclamation from King George III that told the colonists they could NOT settle in any land west of the Appalachian Mountains, and any settlers already there needed to return home. This was done to avoid further conflict between the Indians and colonists. Many colonists saw the Proclamation as a form of tyranny and ignored it. -
The Sugar Act
An Act that placed a new tax on sugar imported into the colonies. This tax was meant to help pay for the war debt incurred from the French and Indian War. Many colonists didn't notice the tax, because it was an import duty. Those who did notice, spoke out against it. -
The Stamp Act
An act that said the colonists had to buy a stamp for every paper good they bought. This was Britain's way of trying to pay for the war debt they inccured from helping the colonists win the French and Indian War. Many colonists protested through boycotts and violence. -
The Quartering Act
An act that forced colonists to provide housing, food and clothing for British troops. -
The Townshend Acts and the boycott of British goods
An act created by Charles Townshend that placed a tax on popular British imports, including tea, glass, paper, paint and lead. Many colonists chose to boycott these goods in protest of the law. The boycott proved successful and Parlaiment eventually repealled all of the Townshend Acts, except for the tax on tea. -
The Boston Massacre
An event where rioting colonists, taunting British soldiers ended in a "bloody massacre". The soldiers opened fire into the crowd, killing five. Though the soldiers were found to have acted in self-defense, the event increased tensions between patriots and loyalists. -
The Tea Act
In an attempt to save the British East India Company, Parlaiment passed the Tea Act. This law gave the British East India Company a complete monopoly on the tea market in the colonies. Though the tea was cheaper, it forced colonists to buy taxed tea. -
The Boston Tea Party
In protest to the Tea Act, 50 colonists, associated with the Sons of Liberty, dressed up as Mohawk Indians, boarded British tea ships and threw 90,000 pounds of tea over board and into the Boston Harbor. -
The Intolerable
Also known as the Coercive Acts, this was Britain's repsonse to the Boston Tea Party. It shut down Boston Harbor until the colonists paid for the dumped tea, cancelled Massachusett's charter, sent the British troops tried for the Boston Massacre back to Britain for a new trial, forced colonists to quarter British troops and named General Thomas Gage the govenor of Massachusetts. -
Battles at Lexington and Concord
General Gage found out that the colonists were hiding weapons and gunpowder in Concord and organized a surprise attack to get the weapons back. However, the plan was leaked and Paul Revere and Williams Dawes spread the word to the colonists. Militias came together at Lexington and Concord and once both battles were done, the British knew the colonists were ready to fight for their rights. -
Thomas Paine Publishes "Common Sense"
On this day in 1776, writer Thomas Paine publishes his pamphlet "Common Sense," setting forth his arguments in favor of American independence. Considered one of the most influential pamphlets in American history "Common Sense" is credited with uniting average citizens and political leaders behind the idea of independence. -
Signing of the Declaration of Independence
More than a year into the war, the 2nd Contentinental Congress convened in Philadelphia, voted to declare independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence was signed and the United States of America was officially born.
