Chronology: Events leading up to the Declaration of Independence

1754-1763 French and Indian War

1763 The Proclamation of King George III at the end of the French and Indian War / Seven Years' War: no British settlements allowed west of the Appalachian Mountains.

1765 The Stamp Act is passed by the British Parliament. The Quartering Act requires American
colonists to house British troops and supply them with food.

1767 Townshend Revenue Act


1768 "Taxation without Representation is Tyranny" (phrase is attributed to James Otis). Merchants
in Boston and New York boycott British luxury goods.


1770 "The Boston Massacre" - five civilians shot by British troops in Boston.


1773 Boston Tea Party. Massachusetts patriots dressed as Mohawk Indians dump crates of tea into Boston Harbor in protest against the British Tea Act.

1774 First Continental congress

1775 American War of Independence begins; Battle of Lexington and Concord; Battle of Bunker Hill

May 1775: Second Continental Congress Starts

Jan. 1776: Thomas Paine, Common Sense

July 2: approval of the Second Continental Congress of the Lee Resolution.

Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.

That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.

[drafted by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia]