Pre-1776
Before 1776: The Road to Independence
For more than 150 years, Britain's American colonies grew into distinct societies with their own economies, politics, and identities. Tensions over taxation, representation, and colonial rights escalated through the 1760s and early 1770s until armed conflict became unavoidable.
Why This Era Matters
The ideas debated and tested before 1776 — self-governance, natural rights, the right to resist unjust authority — became the foundation of the Declaration of Independence and the American republic. Understanding this era reveals why the founding generation thought independence was both necessary and justifiable.
Key Themes
- Colonial resistance
- Taxation without representation
- Natural rights
- Self-governance
Key People
- Benjamin Franklin
- Patrick Henry
- Samuel Adams
- John Adams
Key Documents
- 📜Stamp Act (1765)
- 📜Townshend Acts (1767)
- 📜Boston Massacre report (1770)
- 📜Common Sense (1776)
Key Places
- 📍Boston
- 📍Philadelphia
- 📍Virginia