A Shot For Freedom

The reason why the American RevolutionGeorge Washington presented a set of resolutions
happened can be contributed to the long yearswritten by George Mason on May 1769 opposing
the colonists have spent in self-government.taxation without representation. The House of
Wanting more freedom, they took offense onBurgesses was dissolved, but the members met
how Great Britain treated the colonies. Thesethe next day, agreeing to boycott British trade
events led to the American Revolution.goods, luxury items and slaves.
The Proclamation of 1763The Boston Massacre
Settlement west of the Appalachian mountainsIn March 5, 1770, harassed British officers open
were prohibited, reserving the land for Nativefired on a mob of people. Captain Thomas
Americans. The colonists took offense.Preston and 8 of his men were arrested. The
The Sugar ActTownshend Acts were repealed in April, eliminating
This was passed to offset the war debt fromall duties on imports except for tea.
the French Indian war. Duties of foreign goods likeBoston Tea Party
sugar, coffee, wine, and textiles were doubled.Colonists opposed the tea tax passed on 1773
The Currency Actand the monopoly of the British East India
Parliament banned colonists from issuing paper billsCompany. On December 16, activists disguised as
in 1764. The act threatened to destabilize theIndians boarded three ships in Boston harbor and
entire colonial economy.threw tea overboard. These resulted in Coercive
Quartering Actacts being passed. Town meetings were outlawed
The act requires colonists to house and feedand the Boston Harbor got closed.
British troops when necessary.First Continental Congress
The Stamp Act of 1765From September to October 1774,
Tax stamps were required on all printed materialrepresentatives from 12 colonies met in
to pay for defense. This included newspapers,Philadelphia to oppose the coercive acts. The
legal documents, bills, licenses, almanacs, dice andnewly created Continental Association called for a
playing cards. Merchants boycotted English importsboycott of English imports.
while underground organization like the Sons ofLexington and Concord
Liberty started using violence.April 1775, British troops were ordered to seize
Representatives from 9 out of 13 coloniescolonial gun powder stores in Lexington and
gathered and drafted a petition for King GeorgeConcord. Orders to capture Samuel Adams and
III. They claimed that the colonists should only beJohn Hancock were given. Open conflict arose and
taxed by colonial legislatures and that "taxation"a shot heard around the world" marked the
without representation" is a violation of their civilbeginning of the American Revolution.
rights.Second Continental Congress
In March of 1766, King George III repealed theAnother meeting took place in Philadelphia, this
Stamp Act after Benjamin Franklin warned themtime with representatives from all 13 colonies.
of a possible revolution. The Declaratory Act wasGeorge Washington was appointed as head of the
passed, stating that Parliament has authority toContinental army. He proclaims the colonies in
make laws binding the colonies in all casesrebellion after their major victory in Bunker Hill.
whatsoever.Basically, the American Revolution happened
Townshend Revenue Actsbecause of the treatment the colonists got from
June 1767, new taxes were imposed on importedthe British. The colonies wanted their rights as
paper, glass, and tea. On February 1768, SamuelEnglishmen, while the British viewed them as a
Adams created a circular letter regarding themeans to suit their needs. In the end, the
colonists' protest against taxation withoutcolonists fought for freedom, for independence,
representation.and for their rights as Americans.
The Virginia Resolves