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The French & Indian War
This New World conflict is also known as the Seven Years’ War, since it did start in 1754. This war also set the stage for the American Revolution, however it did not cause it. Some effects of the French and Indian War that had an impact on the American Revolution are military experience and knowledge gained by soldiers, and the desire for revenge that made France want to ally with the Americans during the revolution. Also, the British upset colonists a lot and treated them not so well. -
Treaty of 1763
The Treaty of Paris, 1763, ended the French and Indian War (Seven Years’ War). Reminder, the war was between Great Britain and France along with their respective allies. Following the terms of the treaty, any foreign military threat to the British colonies was ended due to France giving up all its territories in mainland North America. This treaty seemed like a success, but it eventually led to setting the colonists on path toward seeking independence. -
Stamp Act
Taxed a wide range of transactions in the colonies for the first time by the British Parliament. The British Empire was deep in debt from the French and Indian War. This act was insisted unconstitutional by the colonists, who argued that only their own representative assemblies could tax them. The Stamp Act was passed on March 22, 1765 by Parliament, and the issues of taxation and representation raised by the Stamp Act strained relations with the colonies. -
Townshend Acts
The Acts were seen as an abuse of power to the American colonists who had no representation in Parliament. The Townshend Acts were named after the British chance,or of the Exchequer, Charles Townshend. These acts imposed duties on British China, paint, lead, glass, paper, and tea imported to the colonies. The duties went into effect on November 20, 2767. They stated that British Parliament had the same authority to tax the American colonies as they did in Great Britain. -
The Boston Massacre
Tensions between the colonists and British troops lead up to the Boston Massacre, especially since after patriots vandalized stores selling British goods to protest taxes. British soldiers shot into an angry mob which killed five American colonists, neither side knowing Parliament was asked to repeal the Townshend Acts on the same day. Anyway, the Boston Massacre was a deadly riot on King Street in Boston. This had a major impact on relations between Britain and the American colonists. -
The Boston Tea Party
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Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts) The acts include the Boston Port Act, the Massachusetts Government Act, the Administration of Justice Act, and the Quartering Act.
These acts were a series of four acts established by the British government, with the goal of being able to restore order in Massachusetts and punish Bostonians for their Tea Party. In order, the port of Boston was closed until damages were paid off, Massachusetts was restricted and the governors council was turned into an appointed body, British officials became immune to criminal prosecution in Massachusetts, and colonists were required to house and quarter British troops on demand. -
Battles of Lexington & Concord
“Throw down your arms! Ye villains, ye rebels,” a British major yelled after 700 British troops arrived in Lexington and camel upon 77 militiamen. Being outnumbered, the militiamen in green were ordered to disperse, and it’s still unknown which side shot first. Only one redcoat was fired, and the British continued into Concord to search for arms without realizing that’s where the vast majority had been relocated. The casualties of these battles were low, and news of it quickly spread. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Under the command of Major General William Howe, some 2,200 British forces marched to Breed’s Hill from landing on the Charlestown Peninsula. The British were thrown into retreat when the Americans let loose and fired. By the end of this engagement, the casualties of this battle were high. More than 200 were killed and more than 800 were wounded by Patriot gunfire, and more than 100 Americans perished while more than 300 were wounded. The legacy of this battle is that the British had won. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was the first formal statement asserting a nation’s people right to choose their own government. A large portion of it, or most of it, was written by Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia on July 4. We now celebrate this day was Independence Day, marking the birth of American independence.