2. THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE
CHAPTER 4

3. The Colonies Organize
Stamp Act-(March 1765)required colonist to purchase special stamped paper for every legal document, license, newspaper, pamphlet, and almanac, and imposed stamp duties on playing cards and dice
Colonist who disobeyed these laws were tried in vice admiralty courts

4. Stamp Act Protest
In response to the Stamp Act, Boston shopkeepers, artisans, and laborers organize a secret resistance called the Sons of Liberty led by Samuel Adams
The Sons harrased stamp agents and prevented and stamps from being sold

5. During 1765-1766 many colonies passed their own measures against the Stamp Act
Virginia House passed a measure proposed by Patrick Henry saying “Virginians can only be taxed by Virginian assembly”
Many other colonies soon followed

6. Declaration of Rights and Grievances
In October 1765, 9/13 colonies met in New York to form the Stamp Act Congress and issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances, which stated that parliament lacked the power to impose taxes on the colonies because they were not represented in parliament
Marks first time the colonies are united
In October 1765, 9/13 colonies met in New York to form the Stamp Act Congress and issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances, which stated that parliament lacked the power to impose taxes on the colonies because they were not represented in parliament
Marks first time the colonies are united

7. Merchants in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia close their ports to British goods.
British Parliament repeals Stamp Act, but issues Declaratory Act which gave Parliament the full right to make laws “to bind the colonies and people of America…in all cases whatsoever.”

8. June 1768-British customs agents seize a ship owned by John Hancock claiming he had smuggled wine.
Colonist riot against customs agents, so Britain stations 2,000 “redcoats” (British Soldiers)

9. BOSTON MASSACRE
A fight breaks out between British redcoats and Boston citizens (led by Crispus Attucks) that left 4 Boston citizens dead
Sam Adams labels this as the Boston Massacre, giving the idea it was an attack on defenseless citizens

11. Committees of Correspondence
Committees of Correspondence-formed to help spread information from colony to colony

12. BOSTON TEA PARTY
Lord Frederick North (Prime Minister) devises Tea Act which would allow for tea to be sold to colonist tax free. This would cut out the colonist merchants from the trade, this enrages colonist
December 18, colonist dressed as Indians climbed aboard a ship and dumped 18,000 pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor

13. INTOLERABLE ACTS
King George is infuriated by Boston Tea Party and issues the intolerable acts
Shut down Boston Harbor
Quartering Actauthorized British commanders to house troops in colonial homes
Boston is placed under martial law rule imposed by military forces

14. First Continental Congress
Committees of Correspondence spread word and First Continental Congress is held in September 1774
56 delegates meet in Philadelphia
Defend colonies right to run their own affairs.
Support protest in Massachusetts
Stated if British used force against the colonies they would fight back
Agreed to reconvene in May 1775

15. Following First Continental Congress, Minutemen, or civilian soldiers, begin to stockpile arms.
Spring 1775-General Cage sends agents toward Concorde in search of the weapons stockpiles
They return with maps as well as the location of John Hancock and Sam Adams, both of which were in hiding
Cage sends orders men march to Concord and destroy munitions stockpiles

16. The War Begins “The Regulars are Coming” April 18 1775
With Hancock and Adams in hiding, Joseph Warren is in charge in Boston
Warren hears word that British soldiers will march on Concord to seize Adams and Hancock
Orders Paul Revere to warn them
April
Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode out to spread the word that 700 British regulars, or soldiers, were coming

17. “Glorious Day for America”
British troops meet 70 minutemen on the Lexington countryside
Fighting breaks out and 8 minutemen and 1 redcoat die
Battle lasted only 15 Minutes
Marks the first battle of the Revolutionary War