-
The End of the French & Indian
The English came out victorious in the Seven Years' War. Although they came out as the world's most dominant European power and greatly expanded their empire; they became heavily in debt. The empire would try to pay off this immense debt by taxing the colonists numerous times and reversing its salutary neglect. The series of taxes on the colonist to pay off England's debt will place pressure on the colonists so extreme that they will revolt. -
The Proclamation of 1763
After the war, the Native Americans lost their biggest ally, France. At a last-ditch effort, a chief named Pontiac staged a rebellion and attacked British forts. To please the Natives, England made the proclamation of 1763, which stated that colonists weren't allowed to expand west. This angered the colonists because they wanted to expand their wealth. The proclamation of 1763 would be the stepping stone that would lead the colonies towards independence financially and politically. -
The Sugar Act
Before the Sugar Act was passed, trading in the colonies was successful because they would avoid paying duties (taxes) through bribing officials. In 1764, a prime minister, George Grenville, would raise the taxes and this would create prosecution offices and courts to find people who would avoid paying taxes. This act would diminish the colonists' economy and make them even more spiteful towards the crown (England). -
The Quartering Act
After the French and Indian War, British troops were stationed to remain in the colonies. Since England could not afford housing for the troops, they made the colonists responsible for sheltering British troops and providing them food. Colonists were uncomfortable with this act but accepted it because the troops were 'protecting' them. When colonists’ win their independence quartering soldiers will be illegal and not required of citizens to do. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was enacted to place taxes on all printed materials including, books, documents, contracts, land deeds, etc. It was the first time that parliament had placed a direct tax (income tax) on the colonists. Parliament's excuse for this tax would be that colonists had no representation in their houses and that's why they would continue to enforce taxes. Colonists would be further infuriated, by saying that they're denied their political rights; as well as their property rights -
The Townshend Act
The Townshend act was a tax placed on imports. Those imports included lead, paper, glass, paint, and tea. The taxes would go to pay colonial officials salaries, such as governors and judges, which eliminated the influence the colonists had on them. This will stress how the colonists can’t escape imperial rule, even if they are far away from the crown. Without their influence on the officials, the colonists will be left with the only option of rebelling against the crown. -
The Boston massacre
The Boston massacre was when a group of colonists threw snowballs and rocks at British troops (that guarded the customs house). The irritated soldiers ended up firing five shots into the crowd, killing five colonists. Parliament dealt with this by putting an end to the Townshend taxes and dispelled the British troops. Although, the tax on tea remained, which made colonists continue to boycott. Colonists united against a common enemy, Britain, by forming the first continental congress. -
The Boston tea party
Colonists’ continued to boycott tea, which deteriorated Britain's economy. In response, Parliament “made [British] tea cheaper than smuggled tea even with taxes”. (page103) The colonists’ were astonished by this and believed that Parliament was deceiving them. Subsequently, patriots dressed as Indians & stormed British ships that had tea and dumped that tea into the Boston harbor. Parliament closed the harbor, which angered colonists in Boston because they took away their trade. -
The intolerable acts
The intolerable acts were passed to punish the colonists for the Boston tea party. The intolerable acts cut off land claimed by colonies. As well as, allowing British troops to have a trial held in Britain for crimes they committed in the colonies. If they did something to the colonists they would be favored by Britain and acquitted. Colonists were angered because justice for them would never be properly severed with this act, nor could they retaliate against the troops. -
The battles of Lexington and Concord
In response to the intolerable acts, the first continental Congress was formed by all colonies except Georgia. A few of the leaders such as Samuel Adams and John Hancock formed the first continental army. They had supplies hidden in Concord to defend themselves against Britain. Britain discovered this through spies. They sent troops to arrest Adams and Hancock and confiscate their cache. Subsequently, Britain retreated and these battles officially proclaimed America’s revolution.
