Road to the American Revolution

What is the American Revolution? The American Revolution took place when the colonist decided to declare themselves independent of Mother England. The colonists did not like the restrictions that King George III placed on them. King George the III is the king of England/Great Britain.

Proclamation of 1763 Took place in 1763 King George III and Colonists were involved The King forbade colonists to settle West of the Appalachian Mountains, to try to ease conflicts between Native Americans and Colonists This angered the colonists, and made enforcement by the king necessary

closed off the frontier to colonial expansion

Quartering Act Took Place in 1763 King George III, Colonists, and British Soldiers were involved The King required Colonists to house British soldiers in their houses to enforce the Proclamation of 1763 The Colonists Feared the king wanted to restrict their Freedoms

Questions Who was the king of England? Why were the colonists not supposed to cross the Appalachians? Why did colonists have to house British soldiers? Were the colonists happy about that?

STAMP aCT Happened in 1766 Colonists and Parliament were involved It was a tax for a stamp needed on all legal documents, was passed to help pay off Britain's debt This angered the colonists, and led to a boycott of British goods, it was then repealed in 1766. Led to the phrase “No Taxation Without Representation”

Questions What could the event have been that caused the British Government to be in debt? What kind of documents would need a stamp?

Townshend Act Took place in 1767 Charles Townshend, A British finance minister was involved, Colonists, and Parliament were involved It was a tax on imports to colonies on items such as glass, paper, and tea. The British officers could also conduct searches without warrants. This lead to an immediate protest by colonists, and a boycott of British goods. It was repealed in 1770 after the Boston Massacre.

Questions Would you like to have to pay taxes on everything that you get from your own home country if that place is hundreds of miles away? Do you think the government has the right to search your place without a reason?

The Boston Massacre Took place in 1770 British soldiers and Colonists were involved The colonists who were protesting British soldiers were fired upon on docks in Boston, 5 people were killed. The Colonists were outraged by this. Anti-British propaganda grew.

questions Why would the colonists have been protesting? What do you think happened to the British soldiers who fired on the crowd?

The Tea Act Took place in 1773 The British Tea Companies, Parliament, the East India Company, and Colonists were involved. It gave the East India Tea Company the exclusive right to sell tea to the Colonies. It created a monopoly, and lead to protests.

The Boston Tea Party Took place in December of 1773 The Sons of Liberty were involved A group of Colonists dressed as Native Americans and threw British tea into the Boston Harbor The Colonial leaders offered to pay for the tea, but Britain wouldn’t compromise. This lead to Colonial Rebellion.

questions Was the Boston Tea Party a real “Tea Party?” What was the Tea Party a reaction to?

The Intolerable Acts Took place in 1774 Parliament, and the Colonists were involved It was an act (or law) passed to punish Colonists for the Boston Tea Party The First Continental Congress met and agreed to ban all Colonial trade with Britain, and to begin training troops.

questions Were all the colonies affected by the Intolerable Acts, or just the Massachusetts colony?

Lexington and Concord Took place in April of 1775 The British troops and Colonial Militia men were involved The British troops and colonial militiamen fired 1st shots of war, known as the “shot heard round the world” The revolution had begun, Loyalists supported the British, Patriots supported the rebels.

questions Were these two “battles” the first two of the American Revolution? Who fought at Lexington and Concord?

the Declaration of independence July 4, 1776 Continental Congress was involved, written by Thomas Jefferson Congress proclaimed independence from Britain on July 4 American now fought for Freedom!