Events that led to the Revolutionary War

By anita thorpe

  • The key battle of the French and Indian War.

    The battle was fought in Quebec which was the capital of New France. British forces captured Quebec.
  • Period: to

    Events leading up to the Declaration of Independence/Revolutionary War

  • The Treaty of Paris was signed.

    This officially ended the French and Indian War. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Paris_%281763%29

  • Proclamation of 1763

    To avoid any more conflict with the Native Americans, Britain issued the Proclamation of 1763. Colonists would not be allowed to settle lands west of the Appalacian Mountains. Colonists were upset by this. They wanted to settle new land.

  • Pontiac's Rebellion

    Colonists began moving into the backcountry and Native Americans were very upset. Pontiac organized a rebellion against the British. The British prevailed,but they did not want any more problems with the Native Americans.

  • Stamp Act Congress

    Colonists were angry about the Stamp Act. Patrick Henry (a lawyer) spoke out against the Stamp Act. He felt that Britain had no right to tax colonies. Leaders from 9 colonies met in New York City (called the Stamp Act Congress). They urged Parliament to repeal the tax.

  • The Stamp Act

    Britain needed money because they had spent a lot on the French and Indian War. They decided the colonists needed to pay the British army's costs. They placed a law on printed materials in the colonies. (For example: playing cards, legal documents, newspapers)

  • Sons of Liberty

    Adams organized the Sons of Liberty. They led protests against the Stamp Act. The group grew throughout the colonies. They burned stamp agent's homes and threatened their lives. The stamp agents were so afraid that they didn't try to sell their stamps.

  • Daughters of Liberty

    These women began weaving cloth so that they wouldn't need British wool.

  • Women joined the boycott

    Colonial women began making "liberty tea" out of berries and herbs.

  • The Townshend Acts

    Parliament decided to repeal the Stamp Act in 1766 because they couldn't collect enough money.
    Parliament passed a new tax on all imported goods. (paper, wood, tea, and other goods that came from Britain)
    This caused new protests in the colonies.Colonists decided to boycott British goods.

  • British warships sent to Boston harbor

    The colonist's boycott hurt Britain's businesses so Britain decided to take action. They sent warships to the Boston harbor. They wanted to show force so that the colonists would comply.

  • The Boston Massacre

    Colonists and British soldiers did not get along. Fist fights between them was common. The colonists hated the soldiers and called the lobsterbacks. On March 5, a crowd of colonists surrounded some British soldiers and the soldiers shot into the crowd killing 5 people. The soldiers were put on trial for murder but the court ruled them not guilty.

  • Parliament repeals Townshend Acts

    The same day of the Boston Massacre, Parliament repealed the Townshend Acts. All the taxes were repealed except the tea act. They wanted to show the colonists that they still had the power to tax them.
    The tea act said that the East India Company would be the only company allowed to sell tea in the colonies. Colonists had no choice of who they could buy their tea from.

  • Committees of Correspondence

    The colonists responded to the tea act angrily. They said that any ship bringing tea would not be allowed to unload in the colonies.

  • Boston Tea Party

    Members of the Sons of Liberty dressed up as Native Americans and rowed out to the 3 ships in the Boston Harbor. They chopped open the chests of tea and dumped them into the harbor. Britain was so mad that they were determined to punish the colonists.

  • Intolerable Acts

    Britain issued several acts to punish colonists for the Boston Tea Party.
    Quartering Act-colonists had to feed and house British soldiers.
    Massachusetts Government Act-colonists could hold only 1 town meeting a year. All colonial positions would be appointed by the king or royal govenor.
    Boston Port Act-the port was closed. No ships could come or go until the colonists paid for the tea.

  • The Continental Congress

    Leaders of 12 colonies met to discuss issues. They decided to stop all trade with Britain until the Intolerable Acts were repealed. They also began training militias or minutemen.

  • Patrick Henry's Most Famous Speech

    Patrick Henry made his most famous speech in Richmond, Virginia. He said, "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

  • Fighting breaks out.....

    British soldiers have orders to seize and destroy colonial military supplies. They began marching from Boston to Concord.