The document summarizes the key events from 1763 to 1776 that led to the American Declaration of Independence. It discusses the Treaty of Paris in 1763, various taxation acts passed by British Parliament like the Stamp Act and Tea Act that were opposed by American colonists. It also describes significant battles of the American Revolutionary War like Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill. Finally, it provides an overview of the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 that formally declared the 13 colonies independent from British rule.

1. The Declaration of
Independence and the
Events that Led Up to It.
Darcie-Lynne Chidester
2/27/2012
Computer Essentials: Word Final Project

2. 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
Americancolonist’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, 1776Declaring 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 thatBritish 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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3. 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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4. 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 At
The Battle of Lexington & 4/19/1775 Lexington & Concord,
Concord Massachusetts
The Siege of Fort 5/10/1775 Fort Ticonderoga, New
Ticonderoga York
The Battle of Chelsea Creek 5/27/1775 Suffolk County,
Massachusetts
The Battle of Bunker Hill 6/16/1775 Charlestown, Massachusetts
The Battle of Quebec 12/31/1775 Quebec City, Province of
Quebec
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5. THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
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.
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6. This document was signed on July 4, 1776,
declaring the thirteen colonies free from the British Empire.
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7. Bibliography
Davidson, 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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