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Post French and Indian War
This "7 Year War" was caused by land competition between Britain and France (who were allied with the Indians, hence "French and Indian War"). After many battles, Britain won. However, they were in debt, so taxes were increased on the colonists that helped win the war and Britain left their troops in the colonies to collect these taxes. After the Proclamation of 1763, westward expansion was forbade along with settling along the Ohio River Valley and Britain now had control of the Hudson Bay. -
Sugar Act
Although this tax lowered the Molasses Act, the price of sugar went up. Britain's goal was not only to boost their economy, but decrease smuggling from the French and Spanish. Great Britain issued the Writs of Assistance which allowed officials to search property whenever they please. However, smugglers like John Hancock continued their trade and if caught, the solider would be tarred and feathered. -
Stamp Act
This act placed a tax on all printed goods (newspapers, playing cards, legal papers, licences, etc). This direct tax had the Americans feeling as if their rights had been violated. Soon the Americans began boycotts and just blatantly refused to pay taxes. In retaliation, tax collectors would be attacked and humiliated by tarring and feathering. The Non-importation Agreement was then put in place. -
Townshend Act
After the resistance to the Stamp Act, it was repealed and replaced with the Townshend Act. This act placed a tax on glass, paint, oil, lead, paper, and tea. This Act was much like the Navigation Acts, except the money from the act was used to finance British soldiers in the colonies. Again, boycotts were in place, so this act was repealed as well four years later. -
Tea Act
In danger of bankruptcy due to poor investments and competition with the Dutch, the British East India Company decided to own a monopoly in tea in the colonies. So in an act of resistance, the Sons of Liberty destroyed (modern-day equivalent of) $1-3 million of product. This is now known as the Boston Tea Party. After this, Great Britain regards this as a "threat to British rule." -
Intolerable Acts
These acts consisted of: Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Tea Act, Justice Act, Second Quartering Act, and the Quebec Act. In reaction to this, the Sons of Liberty resisted these acts, so Boston became isolated and there was an increase of troop presence. Merchants refused to be apart of the boycotts and other colonies hesitated to help in fear that the same fate would occur upon them. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress established in response to the Intolerable Acts. They began asking questions like "what are our rights and how do we protect them?" The boycotts continued, as did the Non-Importation. The Committees of Correspondence left to enforce and blacklist loyalists. -
Lexington and Concord
In Massachusetts, a militia begun to form, which immediately grabbed the attention of King George III. His goal was to disband the mutiny and seize the leaders. After his troops 'defeated' the rebels in Lexington, they marched to Concord in search of weapons. When they were leaving, the Americans attacked and won with the troops retreating to Boston. This resulted in 273 British casualties and 95 American casualties. -
"Shot Heard 'Round the World"
From a stanza by Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Concord Hymn," refers to the first shot in the Revolutionary War. After the British troops turned and begun marching to Concord, the Americans fired the first shot that begun the beginning of the Revolution. -
Second Continental Congress
In this new Congress, new faces emerged like Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Hancock. John Adams urges for independence and nominates George Washington to lead the army. The Congress sends an Olive Branch Petition to the king to cease fire and repeal the acts. However, King George III sees this as a joke and declares that the colonies are in a state of rebellion. Soon after, Thomas Paine writes "Common Sense" to encourage Americans to fight for independence. "Join or step aside."