road to the american revolution the events that lead to the american revolution
TRANSCRIPT
Road to the American Revolution
The events that lead to the American Revolution
French and Indian WarDate: 1754-1763
• A war between France and England over the Ohio Territory.
• England wins and the French give up all their land in North America.
Proclamation Line of 1763
Date: 1763• British government forbadeEnglish Colonists to settle (move) West of the Appalachian Mountains.Reaction:Upset and many people movedWest anyway
Sugar Act Date: 1764• Put a tax on Sugar, Molasses and other products• It was strictly enforced• there were harsh punishments for smuggling sugar products in.
Reaction:• Merchants were upset, began the cried,“No taxation without representation”
Stamp ActDate: 1765
• A tax was placed on all legal and commercial documents(diplomas, contracts, newspapers)• This was a NEW tax for theColonists and they didn’t like it
Reaction:• Boycotted British goods• 9 colonies met in New York to decidewhat to do• Secret groups formed to organize protests(most famous: Sons of Liberty lead by Sam Adams)
Townshend ActsDate: 1767
• Put tax on glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea to raise money to pay for the British officials in the colonies
Reaction: • Colonists once again protestedAnd boycott British goods.• British repeal all but one of the taxes.• They keep the TEA TAX!
Boston Massacre
Date: 1770
• 1000 new British soldiersshow up in Boston, MA• British soldiers and dockWorkers get in a fight• Shots are fired and 5 colonists are killed, including
Crispus Attucks.Reaction:• Colonists use the event as anti-British propaganda in
newspapers.
Boston Tea PartyDate: 1773
• The Sons of Liberty organized the Boston Tea party in response to the Tea Act• Men disguised as Native Americans went on 3
tea ships in Boston harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea in the harbor.
Reaction:• Britain responded with more taxes and tighter
control on the colonies.
Intolerable ActsDate: 1774
• Laws to punish MassachusettsFor the Boston Tea PartyLaws:1. Closed Boston Harbor2. No Town Hall meetings3. Must house British troops4. British General new governor
Reaction: • Colonists start the First Continental Congress• Bans trade with Britain• Organizes Militias (armies)
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Date: April 19, 1775
• First battle of the AmericanRevolution (Shot Heard Around the World)
Reaction: • WAR! Americans have to choose sides:– Loyalist: supported the British– Patriots: supported the rebels
Declaration of Independence
Date: July 1776
• The Second Continental Congress decides to break away from England• Thomas Jefferson wrote most of it• Explained the reasons why the colonies wanted their independenceReaction: King George the Third rejected colonialIndependence and the war starts