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Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763, by King George III, prohibited the westward expansion of colonists after the French and Indian War to save money, prevent an Indian war, and have more control over them. -
The Sugar Act
Passed by Parliament, this act taxed sugar, wine, and other important goods to help Britain raise money to pay their debts, which, along with the other acts, made colonists mad because they had no say in this. -
The Stamp Act
This law taxed all printed paper, including newspapers, legal documents, playing cards and more, which needed a stamp of approval to show that the tax was paid. -
The Quartering Act of 1765
This act demanded that the Colonies had to take in British soldiers and provide them shelter, feed them, and provide them with supplies. Also, search warrants were issued, in which soldiers could look for any smuggled goods, which made the Colonists angry because it violated their rights as English citizens. -
The Declaratory Act
Because the Stamp Act was repealed, Parliament passes this law saying that they had the power to legislate for colonies "in all cases whatsoever". Parliament believed they could make any laws regarding the colonies and that the colonies were under control of Parliament. -
Townshend Act
Made by Charles Townshend, this act taxed many different imported goods, which was another attempt at taxation of the Colonists, and led to many boycotts because of “taxation without representation”. -
The Boston Massacre
This was a street fight between the Redcoats and the Colonists in which the Colonists were throwing rocks at the soldiers and the soldiers, in self-protection, fired their guns and killed 5 men. -
Tea Act
This Act said that Colonists could only buy tea from the East India company, which was suffering financially, and Britain decided to help. Most of all the other taxes were repealed but this Act was kept, and was also the last of the Acts passed. -
Boston Tea Party
As as a protest, the Sons of Liberty, led by Sam Adams,
dumped the British tea from the merchant ships dressed as Indians because of unfair taxation of tea and other goods. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
British General Thomas Gage sent soldiers to take ammuntition from the colonists in Concord, and also planned to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who were rumored to be there. This battle was called "the shot heard 'round the world" by poet Ralph Emerson. -
The Seizing of Fort Ticonderoga
Vermont’s Green Mountain Boys, led by Ethan Allen, and Connecticut’s militia, led by Benedict Arnold, joined forces and attacked Fort Ticonderoga and captured it from the British. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress, made up of many political leaders such as Franklin and Jefferson, did many things, but their most important was that they formed the Continental Army, which they unanimously voted George Washington as commander. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Colonel William Prescott set up posts on Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill to attack the British, but during the battle, Prescott’s men were low on ammunition, and they ended up losing the battle. -
Thomas Paine Publishes "Common Sense"
Thomas Paine explained in his book why independence from Britain would be a good thing for the Colonists, and his words greatly influenced the colonists’ feelings and challenged the authority of the British government. -
Richard Henry Lee Proposes Independence
In a debate about declaring independence, Lee had a bold resolution. "That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States . . . and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." -
The Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson, who was the main writer of the Declaration, used ideas from philosopher John Locke to explain why the Colonies were declaring independence.
