The Declaration of Independence and the Events that Led Up to It.

Darcie-Lynne Chidester

2/27/2012

Computer Essentials: Word Final Project

The Declaration of Independence and the Events that Led Up to It

There were many changes that took place from events that occurred in the

American colonist’s lives from 1763 to 1776 that led to the Declaration of Independence.

During these thirteen years many disputes took place between British government and

American colonists. From these events the colonists finally wrote a letter (titled,

Declaration of Independence) to the British Government (King and Parliament) that

stated the rights of the people. It was signed on July 4, 1776 Declaring Independence of

America.

TREATY OF PARIS

This very long dispute started with the Treaty of Paris 1763 which granted Britain

a great deal of valuable North American land. American colonist wanted to settle west of

the Appellation Mountains but the British did not want the American colonist to do that

because it would upset the French and Native Americans. The Proclamation of 1763 was

issued; this was a document stating that the colonist could settle on the boundaries of the

thirteen colonies. This started the many events in which the British government’s actions

and intent were misunderstood and disregarded by the American colonists (U.S. History:

The Proclomation of 1763).

THE TEA ACT

The next event that occurred was that British government started taxing the

American colonists without representation. The American colonists interpreted this as a

violation of their rights; they did not believe that it was fair to be taxed without their

consent. This dispute led to the Stamp Act of 1766, which was a document stating that

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everything taxed had to be stamped on legal paper to show proof of payment. After the

Stamp Act, parliament issued the Declaratory Act and after the Declaratory Act the

Townshend Act took place.

THE BOSTON MASSACRE

The next event to take place was the Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770). The

Boston Massacre led the Parliament to concede on the issue of taxation and all

Townshend were repealed except the tax on tea. The Boston Massacre taught American

colonists that the British government would use any and all force to keep them in line.

Another event that took place after the Boston Massacre was the Tea Act (1773),

which was a law, passed stating that tea must be taxed. Colonist reacted to the Tea Act by

storming ships one night and dumping all of the tea into the water before the tax could be

collected.

THE INTOLERABLE ACTS

After the Boston Tea Party the British government was tired of the colonist’s

actions so they passed the Intolerable Acts which were a collection of two acts:

Coercive

Quebec Act

The American colonists were not pleased about the Intolerable Acts and thought

that it was pushing things too far, so they held a meeting in Philadelphia called the First

Continental Congress.

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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

The first few battles of the American Revolution that took place before the

Declaration of Independence were; The Battle of Lexington and Concord, The Siege of

Fort Ticonderoga, The Battle of Chelsea Creek, The Battle of Bunker Hill, The Battle of

Quebec.

The Battle of Lexington and Concord was the first military engagement of the

American Revolution War. This battle marked the outbreak of open armed conflict

between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the thirteen colonies (Davidson, 2012).

The Battle of Bunker Hill is one of the most important colonial victories in the

U.S. War for Independence (The American Revolution: Battles). This battle made both

the British and Colonist realize that this was not going to be a matter decided on by one

quick and decisive battle.

The Battle The Date Located AtThe Battle of Lexington & Concord

4/19/1775 Lexington & Concord, Massachusetts

The Siege of Fort Ticonderoga

5/10/1775 Fort Ticonderoga, New York

The Battle of Chelsea Creek 5/27/1775 Suffolk County, Massachusetts

The Battle of Bunker Hill 6/16/1775 Charlestown, MassachusettsThe Battle of Quebec 12/31/1775 Quebec City, Province of

Quebec

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

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Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution to the Congress that declared the

thirteen colonies “free and independent” states. The congress did not immediately act on

this resolution. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and a few other

people choose the wording of the document.

The declaration is divided into three parts:

1.A simple statement of intent.

2.A list of grievances and why the colonies wanted independence.

3.The closing paragraph which officially dissolves ties with Britain.

This document was signed on July 4, 1776, declaring the thirteen colonies free from the British Empire.

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BibliographyDavidson, D. H. (2012). Experiencing History: Interpreting America's Past. McGraw Hill.

The American Revolution: Battles. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2012, from The American Revolution: http://www.theamericanrevolution.org/battles.aspx

U.S. History: The Proclomation of 1763. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2012, from U.S. History: http://www.ushistory.org/us/9a.asp

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