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| 1774 |
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| The resistance to the landing of the tea provoked the ministry to the adoption of a punitive policy. The so-called Coercive Acts were passed, including the Boston Port Act, closing the port after June 1; the Massachusetts Government Act, depriving the people of most of their chartered rights, and greatly enlarging the governor's powers; the Administration of Justice Act, providing that persons accused of a capital crime in aiding the government should be tried in England or a colony other than that in which the crime was committed; the Quartering Act; and the Quebec Act, extending the boundary of that province to the Ohio River, cutting athwart the claims of Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Virginia. County conventions in Massachusetts protested against the acts (Aug.–Sept.). The Suffolk Convention resolved that they should be “rejected as the attempts of a wicked administration to enslave America” (the Suffolk Resolves). | 1 |
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| May 27 |
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| The Virginia House of Burgesses adopted resolutions calling for a congress of the colonies. Copies sent to other assemblies. | 2 |
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| Sept. 5 |
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| The FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS assembled at Philadelphia. All colonies except Georgia represented. Members divided into radicals led by Samuel Adams and conservatives led by Joseph Galloway of Pennsylvania. The radicals obtained approval of the Suffolk Resolves and defeated Galloway's proposed plan of union, designed to effect an adjustment of difficulties. Declaration of Rights and Grievances drawn up. | 3 |
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| October |
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| The delegates adopted the Continental Association, providing for nonimportation of English goods after Dec. 1. If redress had not been obtained by Sept. 11, 1775, nonexportation was to go into effect. | 4 |
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