Individuals and nations are moved to bold and decisive action not in the midst of calm but in the heat of strife. Where before america had been a cluster of competing british colonieswith differing origins, goals, and policiesby 1776 colonists had forged a separate identity flexible enough to support not just revolution but nation building. By investigating the lives and events recorded in newspapers, official documents and personal correspondence from our collection, you will immerse yourself in the past and discover the fears, friction and turmoil that shaped these tumultuous times. To begin your journey, choose from one of the 15 topics leading up to the revolution represented by the icons at right. Britain has defeated france in north america, but the victory comes with a price. Parliament is left with a huge debt to pay, and the prime minister decides to share this burden with the colonies.

In 1764, parliament passes the sugar act, setting off a debate on colonial rights and taxation. Despite protests from colonists who believe they should be able to tax themselves, parliament passes the stamp act in march 1765. The act requires that official stamped paper be purchased and used for all legal documents, commercial paper transactions, and newspapers.

Colonists respond swiftlyand sometimes violentlyto the act, prompting its repeal in 1766. The formation of the sons of liberty in response to the stamp act of 1765, local groups calling themselves sons of liberty spring up throughout the american colonies. These groups perform many functions, ranging from organizing protests against the stamp act to keeping citizens in line. They continue to influence their communities long after the stamp act is repealed in 1766. After the failure of the sugar and stamp acts, parliament is determined to prove its right to tax the american colonies. Colonists continue to argue against taxation without representation, even as troops are sent to protect customs employees in boston in 1768. Non consumption and non importation the colonial economy is in poor shape in 1767.

The passage of the townshend acts, which levy duties on items including glass, paint, and tea, only makes matters worse. In response, many colonists refuse to consume or purchase british goods, while encouraging merchants to abandon selling british imports. On 5 march, a violent confrontation erupts between soldiers and townspeople, leaving five colonists dead. The propaganda war that follows will consume bostonians throughout the summer and fall of 1770. The boston committee of correspondence plays a crucial role in the growth of the committee of correspondence movement throughout the colonies. Formed in 1772 to protest a new government policy concerning the payment of the massachusetts governor and judges, bostonians seek support in other towns and colonies. In march 1773, the virginia house of burgesses proposes that each colony appoint a committee for intercolonial correspondence.

In the spring of 1773 parliament passes the tea act, giving the east india company a monopoly over the sale of tea in north america. Some patriots refuse to drink or buy the tea, while others take more drastic steps to prevent the sale of the pernicious weed. Bostonians stage a rather dramatic protest in december 1773, and debate over their actions rages on into 1774. S in the spring of 1774, parliament passes the coercive acts in response to the destruction of the east indias tea cargo in boston in december 1773. Massachusetts and boston are singled out and punished, but the acts do not produce the desired effect.

Reliable Sources for Research Papers

Throughout 1774 and into 1775, the other north american colonies question the wisdom of parliaments reaction. The first continental congress news of the coercive acts arrives in the colonies in the spring of 1774. In response, patriots organize a colony wide congress to discuss a united course of resistance. Colonists continue to debate the course of action prescribed by congress throughout fall and winter of 1775. In the fall of 1774, general thomas gagenow the governor of massachusettsbegins sending his troops on scouting missions into the countryside surrounding boston. Both british and american propagandists hasten to explain their side of story in the months that follow. The second continental congress the first continental congress adjourns in october 1774, and by the spring of 1775 it is clear that the body must convene once again.