Key Events Leading to the American Revolution

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French and Indian War

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This war started in 1754 and ended in 1763. The British fought against the French and Native American tribes over the Ohio River Valley territory. It was expensive and a major cause of extra taxation on the colonies.

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Proclamation of 1763

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The proclamation took place on Oct 7th, 1763. It prevented colonists from settling the newly won Ohio River Valley Territory, which was reserved for Native Americans.

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Sugar Act

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This act was enacted on April 5th, 1764. It created taxes on sugar products to help pay off the French and Indian War debts.

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Stamp Act

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This act was enacted on March 22nd, 1765 and created taxes on paper products such as newspapers, pamphlets, and playing cards.

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Quartering Act

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This act was enacted on March 24th, 1765 and forced colonists to house and feed British soldiers.

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Boston Massacre

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This event took place on March 5th, 1770 and was considered misleading between British soldiers and the colonists.

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Tea Act

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This act took place on May 10th, 1773 and forced the colonists to only buy tea from the British East India Company.

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Boston Tea Party

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This event took place on December 16th, 1773 as the colonists' response to the Tea Act. Sons of Liberty members dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor.

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Intolerable Acts

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This series of 5 laws were enacted in May and June of 1774; they were passed by Great Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party.

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First Continental Congress

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This took place on Sept. 5th-Oct. 26th, 1774 as a group of delegates from twelve of the colonies met and sent a letter of grievances to King George III.