1. Events leading to the American Revolution

2. French-Indian/Seven Years War - 1763
War Fought in America and in Europe over land disputes.
England Wins
France gives England all land East of the Mississippi

4. Led to:
England has large war debt.
Starts to tax American Colonies.

5. Proclamation of 1763
After more fighting with Native Americans, England prohibits any English settlement west of the Appalachians.

6. Led to:
Colonists feel like they are having their rights taken away.

7. Sugar Act
In an attempt to offset their war debt, England increases taxes on imported goods such as sugar, coffee, and textiles.

8. Led to: Colonists are upset about “taxation without representation”.
Begin boycott of British luxury goods.

9. Stamp Act
First Direct tax on the colonists. All printed materials are taxed (newspapers, contracts, wills, bills, playing cards).

10. Led to: Stamp Act Congress meets.
Sends a resolution to England requesting a repeal of the Stamp Act and declares only the colonies can tax the colonists.

11. Quartering Act
Requires colonists to house and feed British soldiers.

12. Led to:
Colonists refuse to comply with the law.

13. Townshend Acts
A new series of taxes to help England pay for protecting the colonies. Taxes imports such as paper tea and glass.

14. Led to:
Colonists reinstate a boycott on British luxury items until act is repealed. Colonists are urged to arm themselves

15. Boston Massacre
A mob harasses British soldiers who then fire into the crowd killing 5.

16. Led to: In order to appease the colonists the Townshend Acts are
repealed. The Quartering Act is not renewed.

17. Tea Act - 1773 Maintains a tax on tea imported by the colonies.
Allows a British company to monopolize tea industry.

18. Led to:
Ships from the colonies are not allowed to leave until they pay the taxes. Colonial activists dump the tea from the ship. (Boston Tea Party)

20. Coercive Acts
Shuts down shipping in the Boston Harbor until all tea is paid for.

21. Led to:
Call for another boycott of British imports.

22. 1st Continental Congress Meets - 1774
Create a Declaration and Resolves:
England is undermining self-rule.
England is not recognizing the colonists rights to Life, liberty, and property.
Will not export to England.

24. Colonists form militias and begin to prepare for war!
Led to:
Colonists form militias and begin to prepare for war!

25. The Declaration

26. WE hold these Truths to be self-evident
This is the way things should be