US History Road to Revolutionary War

Navigation Acts (1650s–1670s)

Controlled colonial trade; goods had to go through England.

Currency Acts (1751, 1764)

Banned colonial printing of paper money.

Sugar Act (1764)

Taxed sugar and molasses imports; aimed to raise revenue.

Stamp Act (1765)

Direct tax on printed goods; led to protests and the Stamp Act Congress.

Townshend Acts (1767)

Taxes on imports like glass, paper, and tea.

French and Indian War (1754–1763)

Britain defeated France; gained control of Canada.

Peace of Paris (1763)

Ended the war; Britain became dominant in North America.

Proclamation of 1763

Barred colonial settlement west of the Appalachians.

Declaratory Act (1766)

Asserted Parliament’s full authority over colonies.

Committees of Correspondence

Colonial communication networks for resistance.

Boston Massacre (1770)

British soldiers killed five colonists; increased anti-British feeling.

Tea Act (1773)

Gave East India Company monopoly on tea; led to Boston Tea Party.

Coercive (Intolerable) Acts (1774)

Punished Boston; closed its port, restricted assemblies.

Quartering Act

Required colonists to house British soldiers.

First Continental Congress (1774)

Coordinated colonial response, adopted boycotts.

Militia

Civilian volunteers defending colonies.

Lexington and Concord (1775)

First battles of the Revolution.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Written by Jefferson; justified separation from Britain.

Provincial Colonies

Royal governors appointed by king.

Proprietary Colonies

Owned and governed by individuals or families.

Charter Colonies

Self-governing under royal charter.