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9. The Events Leading to Independence

From the Proclamation of 1763 to the Intolerable Acts: the Stamp Act, the Boston patriots, the Townshend duties, the massacre, and the tea.

9. The Events Leading to Independence

Although King George III was later burned in effigy in the streets of the colonies, his relaxed ruling style inspired little ire among the colonists in the 176…

9a. The Royal Proclamation of 1763

After Britain won the Seven Years' War and gained land in North America, it issued the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which prohibited American colonists from set…

9b. The Stamp Act Controversy

When Britain repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 — only a year after it had been issued — colonists celebrated in the streets, as this satirical cartoon from 1766 d…

9c. The Boston Patriots

Boston was the home for many patriots and supports of the American cause. This map shows the plan of Boston in 1775, at the height of the Revolution. The Ameri…

9d. The Townshend Acts

Rudolph Ackermann 1808The House of Commons and the House of Lords combine to form Britain's Parliament. Charles Townshend was a member of the House of Commons…

9e. The Boston Massacre

Crispus Attucks was not only the first African American to die for the revolution, he was one of the first patriots to give his life for the cause. American bl…

9f. The Tea Act and Tea Parties

The Gaspee was burned by colonists angry about taxes and British harassment of their ships. The British were in a spot — all because of tea. The partial repeal…

9g. The Intolerable Acts

Rudolf Ackermann 1808Britain's House of Lords, the upper house of Parliament, helped issue a series of acts in response to the Boston Tea Party and the America…