Boston Massacre (1770)
British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists, killing five.
Used as propaganda by colonists to fuel anti-British sentiment; led to further resistance.
Allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies at a reduced price, undercutting local merchants.
Colonists saw it as a trick to accept taxation; led to the Boston Tea Party.
Closed Boston Harbor, placed Massachusetts under stricter control, and allowed British officials to be tried in England.
Colonists united in opposition, sending aid to Boston and calling for the First Continental Congress.
Colonial representatives met to discuss British policies and coordinate resistance.
Called for a boycott of British goods and prepared militias for possible conflict.
British troops attempted to seize colonial weapons in Concord; first shots of the American Revolution were fired.
Colonial militias fought back, marking the start of armed conflict.
Thomas Paine's Common Sense (1776)
Pamphlet advocating for independence and criticizing monarchy.
Inspired many colonists to support full independence from Britain.
Second Continental Congress (1775–1776)
Managed the war effort, created the Continental Army, and later drafted the Declaration of Independence.
Formally moved toward independence, appointing George Washington as commander and drafting the Declaration of Independence.