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Experience the Revolution through its key events.
Many of the places mentioned in this section can be visited today. |
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February 10, 1763
The Treaty of Paris ends the Seven Years War (French and Indian
War). France surrenders all of its North American possessions
east of the Mississippi to Britain. This ends a source of insecurity
for the British colonists along the Atlantic Coast. The costs
of the war and maintaining an army will lead the British government
to impose new taxes on its colonists, with world-shaking results.
Visit
The Park: Fort Necessity National Battlefield |
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March 22, 1765
Britain passes the Stamp Act, imposing a tax on legal documents,
newspapers, even playing cards. This is the first direct tax
on the American colonists and is hotly resisted. A successful
American campaign to have the act repealed will give Americans
confidence that they can avoid future taxes as well. |
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October 1768
British troops land in Boston to enforce the Townshend duties
(taxes on paint, paper, tea, etc., passed in June 1767) and
clamp down on local radicals. The troops' presence doesn't sit
well with locals and leads to street fights. One clash between
soldiers and a mob in March 1770 will leave five dead. Radicals
will call it the Boston Massacre, while the British will call
it the incident on King Street.
Visit
The Park: Boston National Historical Park |
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Spring 1772
Committees of Correspondence are established throughout the
colonies to coordinate American response to British colonial
policy. This represents an important move toward cooperation,
mutual action, and the development of a national identity among
Americans. |
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March to June, 1774
The British Parliament passes the Coercive Acts, often called
the Intolerable Acts in America. Among other actions, Britain
closes the port of Boston and requires British troops to be
housed in taverns and vacant buildings. The acts generate considerable
sympathy for Massachusetts among other colonies. Visit
The Park: Boston National Historical Park |
Read
next series in timeline >
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