Steps Toward A New Nation Chapter 4 - Worksheet

1. Year: 1764-1767 SUGAR, STAMP AND TOWNSHEND ACTS PURPOSE/SIGNIFICANCE Intended to raise revenue to support troops in colonies through trade and direct taxes, and to exert control over colonies COLONIAL AND/OR BRITISH REACTION United colonists in resisting taxation without representation through protests, public demonstrations, resolutions and boycotts of British goods.

2. Year: 1770 BOSTON MASSACRE PURPOSE/SIGNIFICANCE Colonial protest escalated into deadly confrontation with British troops COLONIAL AND/OR BRITISH REACTION Became symbol of British tyranny, increasing colonial resistance

3. Year: 1773 BOSTON TEA PARTY PURPOSE/SIGNIFICANCE Patriots destroyed British tea in protest of the Tea Act COLONIAL AND/OR BRITISH REACTION Britain responded with Coercive Acts to punish Boston

4. Year: 1774 FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS PURPOSE/SIGNIFICANCE Issued Declaration of Rights and Grievances condemning Coercive Acts; approved Continental Association to enforce boycotts COLONIAL AND/OR BRITISH REACTION Infuriated British officials and Loyalists who supported the king

5. Year: 1775 BATTLES AT LEXINGTON AND CONCORD PURPOSE/SIGNIFICANCE British troops intended to seize militia supplies in Massachusetts COLONIAL AND/OR BRITISH REACTION Minutemen resisted British troops with force; united militia forces against Britain

6. Year: 1775 SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS PURPOSE/SIGNIFICANCE Formed Continental Army with George Washington as commander in chief; assumed role of central government COLONIAL AND/OR BRITISH REACTION King George issued Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition, effectively declaring war against the colonies

7. Year: 1776 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE PURPOSE/SIGNIFICANCE Continental Congress declared independence COLONIAL AND/OR BRITISH REACTION British troops increased to 32,000 under General William Howe

8. Year: 1777 BATTLE OF SARATOGA PURPOSE/SIGNIFICANCE Resounding American Victory proved turning point in the war COLONIAL AND/OR BRITISH REACTION Improved American morale; France committed troops to American cause