Road to Revolution1763-1776

Proclamation of 1763

British Action:The British knew the Indians would attack again, so King George the III issued a proclamation which said no colonists are to settle on the other side of the Appalachian Mountains.

American Reaction:Ignore the proclamation and move west.

The Navigation Acts – 1660’s

British Action:Britain decided that the navigation acts that were passed in the 1660’s, had to be strictly enforced since the colonists ignored them. These acts were designed to force colonists to make goods for Britain and to only sell them to Britain.

American Reaction:Colonists continued to smuggle goods to other countries.

The Sugar Act - 1764

British Action:

England put a three cent tax on foreign sugar, coffee, indigo, and molasses from anywhere besides Britain.

American Reaction:

Become angry and start speaking out against -

Taxation without representation!!

The Quartering Act

British Action:

The Quartering Act stated that when there was no place for the soldiers to stay, the colonists had to provide living quarters for the soldiers.

American Reaction:

Increasing hostility.

The Stamp Act - 1765

British Action:

Passed the Stamp Act, requiring a stamp on all written matter bought or sold.

American Reaction:

Formed “Sons of Liberty” (patriot group), wrote Virginia Resolves, and the Stamp Act Congress met and organized Boycott.

Patrick Henry

Protests to the Stamp Act

Sons of Liberty - formed in order to combat the “injustices” imposed by the King of England. They fought against legislation like the Stamp Act and led boycotts against English imports.

Stamp Act Congress - Representatives from nine colonies met to discuss the Stamp Act. The congress decided to write a petition to Britain and form boycott.

Stamp Act Repealed

British Action: The Stamp Act was repealed, but the Declaratory act was passed. It Stated that Britain had the right to tax and make decisions for the British colonies in all cases.

American Reaction:Excited about the repeal, the colonists forgot about the Declaratory Act.

Townshend Acts - 1767

British Action:

Tax on the goods imported into the colonies. (including glass, tea, paper, & lead.)

American Reaction:

Colonists boycotted these goods because they believed only their representatives could tax them.

The Boston Massacre

British Action: Sent 4,000 troops to Boston.

American Reaction:On March 5, 1770 a fight broke out between the townspeople and the British Soldiers. A mob of townspeople knocked down a British soldier and in the confusion the redcoats fired, killing five colonists, including, Crispus Attucks, a dockworker that was part African and part Native American.

Tea Act

British Action:

This act, passed by Britain in 1773, made tea from the East India Company tax free, making it cheaper than colonial tea

American Reaction:

Boston Tea Party

Boston Tea Party

British Action:Tea Act

American Reaction:On December 16, 1773 Colonists dressed up as Native Americans, boarded three ships in Boston Harbor, and threw over 342 chests of English tea into the harbor.

Coercive Acts/Intolerable Acts

In response to the Boston Tea party, the King decides to punish all of Massachusetts through these acts which:

1. closed Boston’s port

2. deprived MA of self-government

3. allowed British officials to be tried in England

4. issued a stronger Quartering Act.

1st Continental Congress

British Action:All previous Acts

American Reaction:Congress met and issued statement of grievances calling for a repeal of the 13 acts of Parliament passed since 1763. Also halted trade and boycotted British goods.

Lexington and Concord

British Action:

Sent more troops to Boston. Marched to arsenal at Concord.

American Reaction:

Warned by the ride of Paul Revere, Patriots prepare to fight.