Events Leading Up To The Declaration Of Independence

declaration events

Period: Oct 19, 1760 to Oct 19, 1781

New King

Oct 26, 1760

George the 3rd assends to the throne.

Sugar Act

Apr 5, 1764

The sugar act raises taxes on items being shipped into the american colonies such as sugar, wine, coffee, dyes and cloth.

Stamp Act becomes law

Mar 22, 1765

The Stamp Act imposes a tax on paper goods like playing cards, newspapers, books and all legal documents are taxed as well.

The Declaratory Act

Mar 18, 1766

The Declaratory Act reaffirmed Parliaments right to legislate for the colonies in all cases whatsoever.

Towshend Acts

Jun 20, 1767

These acts, The Revenue Act taxes tea, lead, glass, paper, and painters colors imported into the colonies and the New York Restraining Act which suspends the New York legislature until the colony supplies and houses the soldiers stationed there under the provisions of the Quartering Act.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

It started when a young apprentice insulted a british soldier. The soldier got angry and a mob began to form. When they started fighting more troops came to end the chaos. 5 colonists were killed.

Repeal

Apr 12, 1770

Except for the tax on tea parliament repeals the Townshend Revenue Acts.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Men Disguised as Mohawks throw the tea on board 3 docked ships into the harbor.

Boston Port Act

Mar 31, 1774

This Act moved the capital to Salem and Made Marblehead the port of entry.

Impartial Administration Of Justice Act

May 20, 1774

This act gave the Governor the power to move trials from Massachusettes to other colonies and to England.

Quebec Act

Jun 22, 1774

This Act Grantted Quebec large grants of land that the American colonists considered theirs for settlement.

The British Are Coming!

Apr 18, 1775

Paul Revere And William Dawes took a midnight ride to warn that the british were advancing. Revere is captured, but is released the next morning.

The Battles of Lexington and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

The first shots of the war were fired at the battle of Lexington.

Common Sense

Jan 9, 1776

Thomas Paine's Pamphlet,"Common Sense", is Published. In just a few months over 150,000 copies are sold throughuot the colonies.

Declaration Of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

The Declaration Of Independence, as amended, is adopted by congress.

Last Signing Of The Declaration

Oct 25, 1781

Sometime during the year 1781 Colonel Thomas McKean signs the declaration since he was not there when most of the other representatives signed it.