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Stamp Act
British were in debt from the French Indian War so they taxed all paper to make money. Colonists thought there should be “No Taxation Without Representation” Colonists protested the act, boycotted British Paper, ran stamp distributors out of their jobs
The colonial protests would lead to the British repealing the act, but later passing the Declaratory Act to assert their power. -
Townshend Act
The Townshend Act were taxes that were put on British goods that Charles Townshend thought would be hard for the colonists to make themselves (china, glass,lead, paint,paper, and tea). Charles wanted to use some of the money made from to tax to pay colonial government officials more so they would be more loyal to the crown. The colonists ended up boycotting British goods for a year.
The British sent 2,000 troops to Boston to enforce the taxes. This would lead to the Boston Massacre. -
Boston Massacre
A group of angry colonists were rioting outside of a customs house. They were harassing the guards, so Captain Preston and a group of soldiers came. Preston ordered his soldiers not to shoot, even though the patriots were throwing rocks and clubs at them. One soldier shot and the others followed. 5 patriots were killed. The Boston Massacre was significant because it was portrayed by the colonists as a slaughter against a helpless crowd, which caused more colonists to join the cause. -
Boston Tea Party
The British passed the Tea Act, which imposed a tax on British tea. They also didn't allow any other tea to be imported to the colonies. The revolutionary colonists did not like that they had to have British tea. About 50 patriots dressed as Native Americans bored British ships and dumped 342 crates of tea into the water. After the Boston Tea Party, the British passed the coercive acts and sent troops to Boston. In retaliation to this the first Continental Congress was formed. -
The Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts)
After the Boston Tea Party, the British passed the Coercive Acts. The Intolerable Acts were passed in order to try to stop the rebellious behavior in Boston. These acts closed the Boston Harbor, changed the government, made it easier for British leaders to get out of trials, and forced the colonies to give food and housing to British troops. In response to the Intolerable Acts, the colonies came together to create the first Continental Congress, where they would decide what they would do next. -
Patriotic Propoganda
Propaganda was a big part of the colonists tactics to spark the revolutionary spirit. Propaganda helped the patriots inspire the colonists to rise up against the British oppression. Paul Revere's famous Boston Massacre picture was one of the most evident pieces of propaganda. He displayed the patriots as defenseless and innocent. He also put Preston behind his troops to make it look like he ordered the massacre. Once his picture went around the colonies, people only saw his version of the event -
Lexington and Concord
After the Intolerable Acts were passed, Boston and the British also began to get ready for the inevitable conflict to come. Paul Revere heard that the British were planning on marching on Lexington and Concord. He set off on his famous ride, warning people that "The British are coming". The RedCoats and the Minutemen met in Lexington, and fought. 8 patriots were killed, while no Red Coats were. The British then marched to Concord, where the Rebels beat the British. This was the start of war.
