Independence Timeline

  • The Sugar Act

    Although it reduced the tax on molasses, the Sugar Act was strictly enforced, so colonist ended paying more taxes.
  • The Stamp Act

    he Stamp Act was the tax on printed items was the first direct tax on the colonists. It added a fee to printed materials such as legal documents and newspapers.
  • Following the French and Indian War

    Following the French and Indian War, Britain maintained a standing army in the colonies. The Quartering Act required colonial assemblies to house and provision soldiers.
  • The Sons of liberty

    The Sons of liberty
    Those who opposed the British taxes called themselves “Patriots” and the Sons of Liberty was born with Sam Adams as its leader.
  • Stamp collector

    A Mob led by the Sons of Liberty tore down the office and damaged the house of the stamp collector.
  • The Declatory Act

    The Declaratory Act repealed the Stamp Act but asserted Parliament’s right to rule the colonies as saw fit.
  • 1767

    Import taxes on a variety of goods were collected to support royal officials in the colonies, removing the responsibility from the colonial assemblies. The Townsend Acts were so unpopular that all the taxes were repealed, except the one on tea.
  • The Boston Massacre

    The Boston Massacre
    A group of colonist hurled snowballs and rocks at British soldiers guarding the Customs House. The soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five colonists.
  • The Tea Act

    The Tea Act was created to save the East India Tea Company. Although it lowered the price of tea, it gave the company a monopoly and threatened the business of colonial importers.
  • The Boston Tea Party

    The Boston Tea Party
    Boston Patriots dressed as Indians, boarded three British ships laden with tea and Dumped the tea into the harbor. The event became known as the Boston Tea Party.
  • The Intolerable Acts

    The Intolerable Act officially called the Coercive Acts, these laws were meant to force Massachusetts to pay or the tea destroyed in the Boston Tea Party. The laws closed Boston Harbor and forced colonists to house British soldiers in their homes.
  • First Continental Congress

    The First Continental Congress meets. Agree to boycott British goods.
  • Patrick Henry

    Patrick Henry
    Patrick Henry, gives his most famous speech, in the House of Burgesses. “Give me Liberty or give me Death”
  • Shot heard around the world

    Battles of Lexington and Concord
  • Second Meeting

    Second Continental Congress meets. Congress names George Washington commander of Continental Army
  • Bunker Hill

    Bunker Hill
    Battle of bunker hill
  • An Olive Branch

    Congress sends an “Olive Branch” to King George III. He rejected the petition and sent more troops to Boston
  • Common Sense

    Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense
  • Declaring independence

    Declaring independence
    Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence was approved.
  • Saratoga

    Patriots win in Saratoga
  • Period: to

    Valley Forge

    Baron Von Steuben trains the Continental Army at Valley Forge, Penn.
  • Viva la France

    France signs an alliance with the United States.
  • May 1780

    General Clinton captures 3000 Patriot soldiers as he takes Charlestown, South Carolina.
  • Victory

    General Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown.
  • The End

    Treaty of Paris signed