The Declaration of Independence

Towards Revolution and Independence

• 1754-1756 American colonist join British against French and their Indian allies for control of western territories.

• Proclamation of 1763 prohibited colonist from settling in western territories. It angered colonist because they felt their victories in the war had earned them the new lands.

• 1764-1768 British acts including Sugar act and Stamp Act impose levis on import or sale of goods by the colonist.

• 1770 Boston Massacre occurs when a mob protesting British occupation is met with force. The result was the death of several colonists and growing support for rebellion.

• 1773 The Tea Act was an attempt by the British to help the East India Company. It gave a virtual monopoly to the company and undermined local sellers.

• In December of that year colonist protested the Tea Act by boarding British ships and dumping cargo of tea into the harbor.

• 1774-1775 Intolerable Acts included boarding British soldiers and appointing government positions in Massachusetts.

• First Continental Congress meets. It did not advocate independence but only sought to rights the wrongs the colonies had endured.

• 1775 March - Patrick Henry writes “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”

• April,18- Paul Revere’s ride • Apri,19- Battle of Lexington• May,10- Second Continental Congress

convenes and creates The Continental Army and appoint George Washington its leader.

• June 17- Battle of Bunker Hill ends in Colonist defeat.

• 1776 January 15-”Common Sense” by Thomas Paine is published.

• July 4,1776 Congress adopts The Declaration of Independence”

• U>S History.org, . (2011). Revelutioary war timeline. Declartion of Independence , Retrieved from http://www.ushistory.org/DECLARATION/revwartimeline.htm