Road to Road to RevolutionRevolution

Stamp ActStamp Act What:

– First direct tax on colonists. Taxed any paper products.

When: – March 1765

Why:– Britain wanted the

colonists to help pay for the cost of military defense.

Reaction:– Colonists were very

angry and defiant.

Sons of LibertySons of Liberty What:

– Group of men led by Sam Adams. They used intimidation and violence to protest.

When:– July 1765

Why:– Opposed to the Stamp

Act. Reaction:

– Stamp agents fearful and resign. Some American merchants stop ordering British goods. Samuel Adams

More Info onSons of Liberty

Townshend ActsTownshend Acts What:

– Taxes on any goods imported from Britain.

When: – June 1767

Why: – Officially to offset the costs

of administering and protecting the colonies. Unofficially, imposed by Townshend to prove that he could do it.

Reaction: – Boycott of British goods,

colonists made their own stuff.

Boston MassacreBoston Massacre What:

– Fight between British soldiers and Boston citizens.

When– March 1770

Why: – Soldiers being bothered

by people so shot back. Reaction:

– Troops withdrawn, Bostonians very angry.

For More Info On the Boston Massacre Click Here!

Boston Tea PartyBoston Tea Party What:

– Colonists dress up as Indians and dump all the tea from British ships in the Boston harbor.

When:– March 1774

Why: – To protest the tea tax.

Reaction: – Britain passes more laws,

colonists becoming united. More Information on the Boston Tea Party

““Shot Heard Around Shot Heard Around the World”the World”

What: – First shots fired

between the British and the colonists at Lexington.

When: – April 19, 1775

Why:– British trying to

destroy colonists’ weapons, colonists defend themselves.

Result:– The Revolutionary

War has begun.

Second Continental CongressSecond Continental Congress

What:– Second group of colonists

that get together to discuss problems with the British.

When:– May 1775 - 1776

Why:– To make decisions about

how to handle the break from Britain.

Results:– George Washington

becomes General of the Army, Declaration of Independence written.

–

George Washington

ThomasJefferson

John Adams

Ben Franklin

John Hancock

Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

What:– Document signed by colonial

leaders. When:

– July 4, 1776 Why:

– To announce to the world that the colonists have decided that they can no longer live under the rule of Britain, America is going to be a free and independent nation.

Result: – Ultimately a new nation. The war

eventually ends and the Declaration is used many times by other groups of people as a foundation for fights for freedom.

The End The End (and the beginning of a new (and the beginning of a new

nation)nation)