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Treaty of Paris 1763
The Treaty of Paris ends the French and Indian war, and the British take control of the Ohio River Valley. -
Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 strictly prohibited the colonists from settling in the area past the Appalachian Mountains. The colonists believed they should have rights to the land they fought for, which caused discontent in the colonies. -
Sugar Act of 1764
The first law ever passed in the colonies that raises tax revenue. It increased the tax on foreign sugar. The colonists voiced their disapproval and the taxes were reduced substantially. -
Stamp Tax
Created to raise revenues to support the new military force. Declared that important documents had to be stamped in order to certify the payment of taxes. Was later repealed due to colonial unrest. -
Quartering Act
This measure required certain colonies to provide food and quarters to British soldiers. The colonists were angry. -
Stamp Act Congress
This congress stated the rights and the grievances of the colonists. This document urgently asked the king to repeal the act. It was largely ignored in England, but it led to unity between the colonies -
Declaratory Act
This act reaffirmed Britain’s ability to bind the colonies together “no matter what”. The British government claimed complete control over the colonies and said they would take whatever the colonists threw at them. -
Townshend Acts
An act that allowed taxes on imported tea, glass, paint, white lead, and some paper. There were ways to get around it, however, the colonists were still upset with the “no taxation without representation” idea. -
Boston Massacre
A crowd of townspeople began taunting and throwing items (snowballs) at a squad of 10 redcoats. Bostonians were angry about an 11 year old boy who was shot during a protest. The nervous soldiers ended up opening fire, killing or wounding 11, including Crispus Attucks. -
Townshend Acts repealed (minus tea tax)
Lord North convinced Parliament to repeal the Townshend acts, all except for the tea tax. -
Formation of the Committee of Correspondence
This group was created by Samuel Adams, and it spread resistance by exchanging letters, which kept opposition to British policy alive. -
Boston Tea Party
One hundred Bostonians, dressed as Indians boarded docked English ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into the Atlantic as a way of protesting the intolerable acts. -
Intolerable Acts
Many of the chartered rights of the Massachusetts colony were taken away. “The massacre of American liberty” -
Quebec Act
British thought about how to deal with the conquered French subjects. French guaranteed their Catholic religion, and were permitted the keep many old customs and institutions. The boundaries of Quebec extended south to the Ohio River. -
Establishment of the Continental Congress
Created in response to the intolerable acts, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to discuss ways redressing colonial grievances. -
Boycott of British Goods
Decided at the First Continental Congress, a call for the complete boycott of British goods. They sought to repeal the offensive legislation and return to the days before the tax. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
A British commander in Boston was sent to Lexington and Concord where he was to cease colonial gunpowder and bag the ring leaders Sam Adams and John Hancock. Colonial minute men won both battles, this was the beginning of a war. -
Second Continental Congress
Met in Philadelphia soon after the beginning of the Revolutionary War. All thirteen colonies attended. -
King George Issues a Proclamation of Rebellion
In response to the arrival of William Penn in England, carrying Congress is petition for independence. This action officially declared the colonies to be in a state of a belly pain In response to the rival of William Penn in England, carrying Congress is petition for independence. This action officially declared the colonies to be in a state of rebellion. -
The publication of Common Sense
This foundational document of American independence in foreign policy was drafted by Thomas Paine and became one of the most influential pamphlets written. -
Declaration of Independence Approved
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, it was originally Richard Henry Lee’s resolution. It established the new American revolutionary government in officially declared war against Great Britain. -
Battle of Yorktown
French and Americans on land and Sea in trapped the British army on a peninsula at Yorktown and forced at surrender. The siege virtually ended military operations in the American Revolution. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
The British formally recognized the independence of the United States. They granted boundaries (Mississippi on the west to the Great Lakes on the north into the Spanish Florida on the south).
