1. The Start of a Revolution

2. distrust grew between Colonists and Great Britain.
British soldiers stationed in the colonies and on the frontier
the Proclamation of 1763

3. 1764 –
Writs of Assistance (gave British soldiers right to search homes)
Sugar Act – lowered the tax on sugar, but appointed special courts that had judges, not juries, to hear smuggling cases; colonists were outraged (took away their basic right of trial by jury)

4. Boycotted British and European goods
The Stamp Act
taxed printed material in the colonies (newspapers, pamphlets, wills, and playing cards)
Colonists opposed / protested because it was passed without consent. (Taxation without Representation)
The Sons of Liberty - organized by Samuel Adams, protested by burning effigies, raiding houses of British officials, and marching to protest taxes
Boycotted British and European goods

5. Congress petitioned the king that only their own assemblies could tax the colonies.
February 1766, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act.
Same day - Declaratory Act of allowed Parliament the right to tax and to make decisions for the British colonies “in all cases.”

6. 1767 – Townsend Acts - taxed imported goods (glass, tea, paper, and lead––colonists did not produce had to import)
Another boycott
The Daughters of Liberty urged Americans to wear homemade fabrics and produce other goods; not buy British products.

7. British soldiers rude to colonists
Boston Massacre March 5, 1770, redcoats fired, killing five colonists.
Among the dead was Crispus Attucks, an African American dockworker.
led to stronger boycotts
Colonial leaders used the killings as propaganda against the British.

8. Tea Act of gave East India Company advantage over colonial merchants; able to ship extra tea to colonies without paying tea taxes.
Colonists protested
Boston Tea Party - December 1773 Sons of Liberty disguised as Mohawks; threw 342 chests of tea overboard

9. banned town meetings and forced to house British soldiers
Coercive Acts
closed Boston Harbor
prevented Bostonians from receiving food and other supplies.
banned town meetings and forced to house British soldiers
colonists renamed acts Intolerable Acts

10. The Continental Congress - colonial leaders met in September 1774; establish a group to fight for American interests and challenge British rule
worked together to draft a statement of grievances
form militias, or groups of citizens, colonies would have own armed forces

11. The First Battles
Lexington and Concord – April 1775, Paul Revere had warned “the British are coming”
Militia prepared when British arrived
Began struggle for Independence from Britain
Battle of Bunker Hill June 16, 1775; British won, suffered heavy losses (defeating Americans would not be easy)
Patriots – wanted to fight for Independence
Loyalists - wanted to remain with Britain

12. Second Continental Congress
Met May 10, 1775
authorized printing of money
post office
Continental Army; George Washington (commander)
formal request to King George III asking for peace and for protection of the colonists’ rights
King George III refused this Olive Branch Petition and prepared for war

13. Declaration of Independence
Committee - Jefferson, Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston
July 4, 1776 Declaration approved
John Hancock; first to sign (large so that the king would have no trouble reading it)
Four main sections:
the preamble, or introduction
a list of the rights
list of the grievances
proclamation of Independence