American Revolution: Key Events, Acts, and Colonial Reactions

The Gaspee Affair

In June 1772, colonists seized and burned the Gaspee ship, which was sent by the British to intercept smugglers, due to the commander searching ships without a warrant.

The Boston Tea Party

On December 1773, approximately 150 men boarded tea ships in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor.

British East India Company

A company that sold tea, holding over 17 million pounds of tea in its warehouse.

Tea Act of 1773

Refunded four-fifths of the taxes that the British East India Company had to pay to ship tea to the colonies, leaving only the Townshend tax.

Coercive Acts

Four new laws passed by the British Parliament.

Quebec Act

Stated that the governor and council could appoint a king who would run Quebec.

First Continental Congress

55 delegates representing 12 of Britain's North American colonies met in Philadelphia.

Loyalist

People who backed Britain.

Patriot

People who believed the British had become tyrants.

Lexington and Concord

700 British troops set out for Concord on a road that took them past the town of Lexington.

Second Continental Congress

Met after the war started, declared independence from Britain (1775-1776).

Bunker Hill

Main battle for Boston; the British won the battle but lost Boston.

Olive Branch Petition

A document to the king, stating that the colonies were still loyal to him and requesting to call off hostilities.

Thomas Paine/Common Sense

Propaganda to convince Americans to declare independence.

Intolerable Acts

British actions between 1772 and 1774 that escalated tensions leading to war.

Declaration of Rights and Grievances

The compromise that came out of the First Continental Congress, expressing loyalty to the king but condemning the Coercive Acts.

Casualties of Lexington and Concord

The Battles of Lexington and Concord made peace near impossible due to many casualties and wounded on both sides.

Tone of the Second Continental Congress

Different from the first as they wanted the right to govern themselves, while the first only expressed loyalty to the king.

Failure of the Olive Branch Petition

Failed to persuade the king to stop hostilities because violence had already broken out.

Justification for Independence

The Americans were justified in declaring independence from Britain due to brutality and disregard for their rights.