Road to the American Revolution

The events that lead to the American Revolution

French and Indian WarDate: 1754-1763

• A war between France and England over the Ohio Territory.

• England wins and the French give up all their land in North America.

Proclamation Line of 1763

Date: 1763• British government forbadeEnglish Colonists to settle (move) West of the Appalachian Mountains.Reaction:Upset and many people movedWest anyway

Sugar Act Date: 1764• Put a tax on Sugar, Molasses and other products• It was strictly enforced• there were harsh punishments for smuggling sugar products in.

Reaction:• Merchants were upset, began the cried,“No taxation without representation”

Stamp ActDate: 1765

• A tax was placed on all legal and commercial documents(diplomas, contracts, newspapers)• This was a NEW tax for theColonists and they didn’t like it

Reaction:• Boycotted British goods• 9 colonies met in New York to decidewhat to do• Secret groups formed to organize protests(most famous: Sons of Liberty lead by Sam Adams)

Townshend ActsDate: 1767

• Put tax on glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea to raise money to pay for the British officials in the colonies

Reaction: • Colonists once again protestedAnd boycott British goods.• British repeal all but one of the taxes.• They keep the TEA TAX!

Boston Massacre

Date: 1770

• 1000 new British soldiersshow up in Boston, MA• British soldiers and dockWorkers get in a fight• Shots are fired and 5 colonists are killed, including

Crispus Attucks.Reaction:• Colonists use the event as anti-British propaganda in

newspapers.

Boston Tea PartyDate: 1773

• The Sons of Liberty organized the Boston Tea party in response to the Tea Act• Men disguised as Native Americans went on 3

tea ships in Boston harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea in the harbor.

Reaction:• Britain responded with more taxes and tighter

control on the colonies.

Intolerable ActsDate: 1774

• Laws to punish MassachusettsFor the Boston Tea PartyLaws:1. Closed Boston Harbor2. No Town Hall meetings3. Must house British troops4. British General new governor

Reaction: • Colonists start the First Continental Congress• Bans trade with Britain• Organizes Militias (armies)

Battles of Lexington and Concord

Date: April 19, 1775

• First battle of the AmericanRevolution (Shot Heard Around the World)

Reaction: • WAR! Americans have to choose sides:– Loyalist: supported the British– Patriots: supported the rebels

Declaration of Independence

Date: July 1776

• The Second Continental Congress decides to break away from England• Thomas Jefferson wrote most of it• Explained the reasons why the colonies wanted their independenceReaction: King George the Third rejected colonialIndependence and the war starts