Journey to Independence

  • Sugar Act

    An act that reduced the tax on molasses, but it raised the tax on sugar which was more commonly used.
  • Stamp Act

    A tax against printed items and legal documents. Its the first direct tax against the colonists.
  • Quartering Act

    Quartering Act
    After the French and Indian war the British maintain an army in the colonies. The colonists are forced to provide for these soldiers.
  • Patriots and Sons of Liberty

    The people who opposed British taxes banded together into the Sons of Liberty and Patriots.
  • Attack Against Stamps

    A Sons of Liberty mob tore down the stamp office and vandalized the stamp collectors home
  • The Declaratory Act

    It removed the Stamp Act, but it allowed Parliament to rule the colonies how they saw fit.
  • Import Taxes

    Import Taxes
    Taxes were levied on the colonists (Townsend Acts) which were all repealed except the tea tax.
  • Boston Massacre

    Colonists who were unhappy with the Townsend acts throw snowballs and other items at soldiers in front of the customs house. Soldiers fire and kill five citizens
  • The Tea Act

    Was made in order to save the East Indian Tea Company. The company was given a monopoly and threatened the colonist business.
  • Boston Tea Party

    Boston Tea Party
    Colonists dressed as Native Americans dumped crates of tea into the ocean off of British ships.
  • The Intolerable Act

    After the Boston Tea Party, the people of Boston are forced to pay for the tea that was destroyed. They are now forced to house British soldiers and have a controlled port.
  • First Continental Congress

    The first congress convenes and decides to boycott British goods and become more self-reliant
  • Olive Branch Petition

    Olive Branch Petition
    The U.S congress attempts to send a peace petition to the king, but he rejects and sends more troops to Boston
  • "Give me Liberty or Give me Death'

    "Give me Liberty or Give me Death'
    Patrick Henry gives his speech in the House of Burgesses to advocate independence
  • Battles of Lexington and Concord

    Battles of Lexington and Concord
    First battles of the war and are known as the "shot heard around the world." Britain attempts to destroy Boston's war supplies and are repelled
  • Second Continental Congress

    Second congress meeting occurs and the delegate George Washington from Virginia is appointed.
  • Battle of Bunker Hill

    Battle of Bunker Hill
    A colonist militia in Massachusetts successfully holds back two out of three waves of British soldiers at Bunker Hill
  • Common Sense

    Common Sense
    Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense which outlines what the American people have to gain from this war.
  • Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence is approved after being drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
  • Valley Forge

    Baron Von Steuben trains the continental army during the harsh winter.
  • Battle of Saratoga

    Battle of Saratoga
    The patriots win the battle at Saratoga due to British's lack of support and being trapped.
  • French Alliance

    America signs an alliance with United States after seeing their abilities at the Battle of Saratoga
  • Soldiers Captured

    General Clinton captures three thousand patriot soldiers when taking Charleston, South Carolina
  • End of the Battle of Yorktown

    End of the Battle of Yorktown
    General Cornwallis of Britain surrenders at Yorktown after being surrounded.
  • Treaty of Paris

    Treaty of Paris
    Two years after the surrender of Cornwallis, the war is ended with this treaty