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Proclamation of 1763
Issued by King George III following Great Britain's receiving of French territory in North America after the end of Seven Years' War. It forbid settlers from settling past a line drawn by the Appalachian Mountains. British Rationale: To manage Great Britain's new North American empire and to stabilize relations with natives.
Colonial Reaction: The colonists showed resentment and a failure to comply. -
Sugar Act
The American Revenue Act of 1764, AKA the Sugar Act, was a law that attempted to curb the smuggling of sugar and molasses. British Rationale: The entire British empire had to pay this tax and Britain was in a lot of debt from the French and Indian War. Many of their funds went towards protecting the colonists.
Colonial Reaction: Boston experimented with Boycotts. The colonists were angry about this tax because they felt that they were taxed without being represented. -
Currency Act
The Currency Act is one of many several Acts of the Parliament of Great Britain that regulated paper money issued by the colonies of British America. British Rationale: Sought to protect British merchants and creditors from being paid in depreciated colonial currency.
Colonial Reaction: The colonists felt resentful towards the British. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act mandated the use of stamped paper or the affixing of stamps, certifying payment of the tax. British Rationale: The British needed money to pay for the costs of defending the colonies- about 10,000 troops were stationed in the colonies for the purpose of protecting them.
Colonial Reaction: The colonists participated in petitions, boycotts, and violence. -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act was passed in 1765 in order to force the colonists into housing British soldiers. British Rationale: The British couldn’t afford to cover housing costs for the British soldiers stationed in the colonies because the expenses from the French and Indian War were so high.
Colonial Reaction: There were protests in assemblies because they found the act irrational due to the war being over. -
Repeal of Stamp Act and passage of Declaratory Act
Parliament voted to repeal the Stamp Act; however, immediately after Parliament passed the Declaratory Acts, asserting that the British government had total legislative power. British Rationale: The British wanted to appease the colonists the colonists’ anger, so the British repealed the Stamp Act. They enacted the Declaratory Act because they thought it was their right.
Colonial Reaction: The colonists rejoiced over the repeal of the Stamp Act; they ignored the Declaratory Act. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were a series of laws passed by the British government on the American colonies in 1767. British Rationale: These acts were specifically passed to pay for salaries of officials such as governors and judges. This act imposed a tax on mostly imports, so the British assumed it would be fine.
Colonial Reaction: The colonists participated in boycotts, petitions, and newspaper attacks. -
Tea Act
The act granted the company the right to ship its tea directly to the colonies without first landing it in England, and to commission agents who would have the sole right to sell tea in the colonies. British Rationale: Only allowed only the British East India Company to sell tea to the colonies to make company profitable again. No new taxes were imposed so the British didn’t see the harm.
Colonial Reaction: The colonists participated in protests, boycotts, and the Boston Tea Party. -
Coercive or "Intolerable" Acts
This series of laws were very harsh and intended to make Massachusetts pay for its resistance. British Rationale: The colonists participated in boycotts and the convening of the First Continental Congress occurred.
Colonial Reaction: The colonists were afraid that what happened to Massachusetts, could happen to the other colonies as well. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
Location: Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Menotomy, and Cambridge.
Significance: First battle of the Revolutionary War.
Result: Both sides heavy losses, British more.
Effect: Americans were seen as an actual threat, started the war in their favor. -
Second Continental Congress
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Significance: Governed the colonies and declared independence for the colonies formally.
Result: Led to a formal declaration of Independence.
Effect: Unified colonists and strengthened war efforts on the Patriot side by officially declaring independence. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Location: Charlestown, Boston, Massachusetts
Significance: Although the British won this battle, the colonists were able to inflict major casualties and injuries upon the British and this battle gave the colonists a conflict boost.
Result: British won, but not as easily as wanted.
Effect: Confidence boost for American army, showed their strength. -
Declaration of Independence
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Significance: The Declaration of Independence officially severed the colonies’ ties with Britain.
Result: The colonies no longer considered themselves a part of the British Empire and declared themselves as an independent nation.
Effect: By officially severing ties with Britain and declaring themselves an independent state, the colonies’ were able to establish France as an ally which helped them in the war against Britain. -
Battle of Saratoga
Location: Saratoga County, New York
Significance: Turning point of American Revolution, recovered American effort through win.
Result: Colonists won.
Effect: Led to France allying to colonies. -
Battle of Yorktown
Location: Yorktown, VA
Significance: Most important battle of the Revolution since the British surrendered.
Result: The colonists defeated the British; The British surrendered.
Effect: Led to the end of the Revolutionary War; led to the Treaty of Paris being signed. -
Treaty of Paris
Terms of Treaty
- The American Revolutionary War was formally ended
- The British acknowledged the independence of the United States
- The colonial empire of Great Britain was destroyed in North America
- U.S. boundaries were established
