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The beginning of the French and Indian War
The war began when George Washington led troops into French territory. He was defeated, leading the British military to send troops to America. -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War led to growing concerns about the lack of defense in the colonies. Benjamin Franklin drew the "Join or Die" cartoon in an attempt to gain support for his Albany Plan, an early plan for a unified colonial government. This is one reason that many see the French and Indian War as a seed that grew into American Independence. -
Ending of the French and Indian War
At the end of the French and Indian War, the British Parliament needed funds to pay off the debts that they had accrued during the war. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was signed by Britain's Parliament on March 22, 1765. This act required colonists to pay taxes on every printed paper that was used. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was particularly frustrating for the colonists because it was the first time that a tax was imposed on something that the colonists were producing. Prior taxes were all imposed on imported goods. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act actually had nothing to do with stamps. It was a tax imposed upon all paper good created and used by colonists. This included all deeds, licenses, and even playing cards. -
The Quartering Act
Parliament signed the quartering act on May 3, 1765 stating that colonists must allow Redcoat soldiers to find room and board in the homes of the colonists. -
The Quartering Act
In 1766, 1500 British soldiers in need of housing had to remain on their ships because the citizens of New York refused to comply with the Quartering Act. -
The Quartering Act
After colonists in New York refused to comply with the quartering act, British Parliament put a legal abeyance on the New York legislature. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston tea party was an act of rebellion on the part of the colonists. After expressing their resentment of the tea tax, colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor as a statement to Parliament. -
The Boston Tea Party
Colonists dressed in disguise as Indians before they boarded the British ships. -
The Boston Tea Party
In response to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament ordered Boston Harbor to be closed for trade. -
Signing of the declaration of independence
Fifty six members of the colonial delegation came together to draft the declaration of independence. After much discussion and deliberation, all of the fifty six signatures were added on August 2, 1776. -
Signing of the declaration of independence
Independence day is celebrated on July 4 because that is the day that the declaration of independence was voted on by the continental congress. However, all of the members of the congress did not add their signatures until August 2. -
Signing of the declaration of independence
"John Hancock" became a synonym for a signature due to Hancock's elaborate overstated signature. Many of the signees knew that their signatures on this document could be very dangerous should the British prevail in the war. The overstated signatures of some, including Hancock, were seen as a statement to the British government.
