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Stamp Act
Although it reduced the tax on molasses, the Sugar Act was strictly enforced, so the colonist ended up paying more taxes. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was the tax on printed items. It was the first direct tax on the colonists. It added a fee to printed materials such as legal documents and newspapers. -
Britain and the Quartering Act
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. -
Patriots and 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. -
The Stamp Collector
A mob led by the Sons of Liberty tore down the office and damaged the house of the stamp collector. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act repealed the Stamp Act but asserted Parliament's right to rule the colonies as it saw fit. -
Townsend Acts
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 The Townsend Acts were so unpopular that all the taxes were repealed, except the one on tea.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 Customs House
A group of colonist hurled snowballs and rocks at British soldiers guarding the Customs House. The soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five colonists. -
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. -
Boston Tea Party
Boston Patriots dressed as Indians, boarded three British ships laden with tea and dumped the tea into the harbor. This event became known as the Boston Tea Party. -
Intolerable Act
The Intolerable Act officially called the Coercive Acts were laws meant to force Massachusetts to pay for the tea destroyed in the Boston Tea Party. The laws closed the 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, gives his most famous speech, in the House of Burgesses. "Give me Liberty or give me Death" -
Lexington and Concord
Battle of Lexington and Concord. -
Second Continental Army
Second Continental Congress meets. Congress names George Washington commander of Continental Army. -
Bunker Hill
Battle of Bunker Hill. -
Olive Branch Petition
Congress sends an "Olive Branch" to King George III. He rejected the petition and sen more troops to Boston. -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense. -
The Declaration of Independence
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence was approved. -
Valley Forge
Baron Von Steuben trains the Continental Army at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. -
Saratoga
Patriots win in Saratoga. -
France
France signs an alliance with the United States. -
General Clinton
General Clinton captures 3000 Patriot soldiers as he takes Charlestown, South Carolina. -
Yorktown
General Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown. -
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris is signed
