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Treaty of Paris
Ends The Seven Years’ War between France and Great Britain in North America. It changes the boundary lines, and leaves colonists to deal with the new land arrangements, and Great Britain wants them to contribute to the cost of the war. -
The Proclamationof 1763
Great Britain no longer allows colonists to move west and settle past the Appalachian Mountains. This land was supposed to be for the expansion of the colonists, but was now being reserved for the Native Americans, which angered the colonists who saw their right being violated. Since this could only try to be enforced by having British troops guard it, colonists had to pay for “protection” they didn’t want. -
The Revenue Act (aka The Sugar Act) of 1764
Reduces the tax on French molasses (used to make rum) but enforces it, which England had never done before. They also made more items that could only be sold to England or through England to the rest of the world. -
The Currency Act
Great Britain tells the colonists they cannot print their own money so as to curb inflation. This further angers the colonists, because Parliament didn’t know how the colonies worked. -
The Stamp Act
Made by George Grenville to raise money that he felt the colonists had a duty to pay. This taxed all paper goods, including newspaper, licenses, books and pamphlets, dice and cards. This caused everyone to realize the change in Parliament’s actions because it affected every citizen. It goes into effect in November. -
The Quartering Act of 1765
Makes the colonies pay for the troops who have protected them. It is another example of how Parliament doesn’t understand the wants of its people, causing further resentment in North America. -
Repeal of the Stamp Act
Parliament decides to repeal the Stamp Act. This shows the power and influence a small group of colonists have, and that Parliament doesn’t know how to deal effectively with its subjects. -
Declaratory Act
In the same session, Parliament passes the Declaratory Act. This represents that Parliament doesn’t want to give in to the colonists, as they feel they are well within reason to tax the colonists for their protection and goods. -
The Townshend Revenue Acts
Parliament begins taxing many other items, like glass and tea, in order to make more money. This causes further strain between colonies, who feel violated with all the taxes that are now enforced, and Great Britain, who feel they are valid. -
British Troops In Boston
British Troops Enter Boston, after many officers have been attacked in colonist retaliation against taxes. They receive no colonist army to defend the city, which is embarrassing and sets them as an example. -
Non-importation agreement
Colonists begin the economic boycott, also called the non-importation agreement. This is a tactful way to protest the new British taxes, where the colonists do not use British goods to express their discontent with their government. This eventually spreads throughout the colonies, uniting them in a common goal against England. -
Townshend Acts repealed
The Townshend Acts are repealed, and all are taken away by Parliament except for the tax on tea. This is important because Parliament merely wants peace in the colonies, and folding shows how little control and authority they actually have. -
The Boston Massacre
On the same day in the colonies, angry citizens taunt British soldiers, who, after being harassed and thrown rocks at, eventually open fire and kill five people. Although John Adams defends the soldiers, the event was still seen as an attack on colonial interests, but they calm down. -
King pays governors and judges in the colonies
The King announces that he will begin paying the salaries of the royal governors and judges who work in Massachusetts. This outrages colonists because they feel that those will be biased powerful people, who see the movement as an infiltration of their systems. -
The Tea Act
Parliament passes the Tea Act to save the East India Company. Now, the colonists only have one source for their tea, which eliminates all the competition for the East India Company (formerly they had smuggled tea). It also emphasized England feeling the right to tax them, which lead to further boycotts. -
The BostonTea Party
Colonists dress up as Indians and board tea- bearing ships and throw the merchandise overboard. This was a blatant disregard for the law, and was the last straw for England, who then became stricter. -
Coercive (or Intolerable) Acts
Parliament closed the Boston port after the Tea Party, saying it would remain that way until the money was paid for the loss of tea. This significantly affected the economy in the colonies that depended on the prominent port. It also gave governors the power to break up town meetings, which prevented the vital flow of information in the active city, which felt attack on the colonists. -
Congressional Congress
Boston’s town meeting becomes the Continental Congress by unifying the colonies to discuss how to act towards Britain. Boston encourages everyone else to cease trade. The 55 delegates talked about the potential for war and reconciliation. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia. They create an army of 20,000 to be lead by George Washington. They also draft the Olive Branch Petition to be sent to King George III in a last attempt to avoid war. -
"Common Sense" published
Thomas Paine publishes “Common Sense” for the first time. His powerful and straightforward writing is easily accessible and spreads quickly throughout the colonies. This writing explains why each person should be interested in independence by attacking the British government. His radicalism draws attention and unites the colonists. -
Independent
After Congress has been writing the “Declaration of Independence”, they finally produce it. The King rejected the Olive Branch Petition, so this is the final option for the colonists, and war begins.