The French and Indian War Britain had won the war. The American Colonists saw the new lands won from France as opening up a host of new opportunities for settlement.

1763 The Proclamation of 1763 Indians afraid that the Colonists drive them from their lands. To calm them Britain agrees to close off the frontier (the area West of the Appalachian Mts.) to colonial settlement. The British create forts along the frontier, claiming that they are for colonial defense and want to tax the colonies to pay for them. Americans see this as paying for something that was against the interests of the colonies.

April 5, 1764 The Sugar Act Put a tax on foreign sugar and other imported items. These taxes angered Americans because they were enacted without their consent.

March 22, 1765 The Stamp Act Colonists now had to pay for an official stamp for every newspaper, and legal document. They didn't think they should have to pay for something they had been doing for free for many years

March 24, 1765 The Quartering Act Colonists are now required to house and feed British soldiers on demand.

1765 The Sons of Liberty formed A secret political group of American patriots formed to protect the rights of the colonists from Britain. Their motto became, "No taxation without representation."

June 29, 1767 The Townshend Acts special taxes on lead, paint, paper, glass and tea. The New York legislature was suspended until it agreed to quarter British soldiers. Colonial governors and judges would now receive their salaries directly from the King

1767 Colonist Respond With Boycott An agreement not to import British goods, especially luxury products.. Within a year importation from Britain dropped almost in half.

1768 British Troops Land in Boston to Maintain Order In response to colonial protest and increasing attacks on colonial officials 4000 British troops are sent to Boston to restore order.

March 5, 1770 The Boston Massacre a street fight that occurred on March 5, 1770, between a "patriot" mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British soldiers. Several colonists were killed

April 5, 1764 Townshend Acts Repealed Falling colonial imports and raising opposition convinced the British government that its policies were not working. The Townshend taxes are ended EXCEPT taxes on tea.

June 9th, 1772 The Gaspee Affair Colonists attack and burn the British revenue schooner the Gaspee after it ran aground in shallow waters.

Dec. 16, 1773 Boston Tea Party The tax on tea continued to anger the Colonists. In Boston, Colonists disguised as Indians boarded ships docked in the harbor and threw all the tea they carried overboard.

1774 The Intolerable Acts Imposed By British the port of Boston is closed until Colonists were willing to pay for the tea dumped into the harbor. The Royal governor took control over the Massachusetts government.

April 18 & 19, 1775 Paul Revere’s Ride & the Battles of Lexington and Concord British troops move out of Boston to capture Colonial leaders and as well as a stash of weapons

April 18 & 19, 1775 Paul Revere’s Ride & the Battles of Lexington and Concord Several men including Paul Revere ride out of Boston to warn the local militia that the British were coming.

April 18 & 19, 1775 Paul Revere’s Ride & the Battles of Lexington and Concord Several men including Paul Revere ride out of Boston to warn the local militia that the British were coming.

Selected members of the militia were called MINUTEMEN because they could be ready to fight in a minute's time. Sure enough, when the advance guard of nearly 240 British soldiers arrived in Lexington, they found about 70 minutemen formed on the LEXINGTON GREEN awaiting them. Both sides eyed each other warily, not knowing what to expect. Suddenly, a bullet buzzed through the morning air. It was "the shot heard round the world."