French and Indian War ended with the Treaty of Paris
Britain blamed the colonies for the war and had a massive debt to repay due to the high cost($8 million) of the war which would lead to many taxes on the colonists
This also caused the British to restrict colonial access to the Ohio River Valley and enforce colonial laws after a time of salutary neglect
Period: to
Road to the Revolution
Sugar Act
Lowered taxes of the Molasses Act on imported goods after complaint/smuggling
Issued the Writs of Assistance which allowed certain officials to search a citizens property without warning or a warrant
Caused the colonists to be upset because of high taxes resulting in boycotts
Stamp Act
A tax on all printed goods
It was an indirect tax meaning it was paid separately from the product ranging from 1 cent to $10
Resulted in protest and boycotts from colonists and a growing resentment towards Great Britain
Townshend Act
Repealed Stamp Act due to upset colonists
Placed a tax on glass, paint, tea, lead, and paper
Created a monopoly because the colonists could only buy from the British
Caused more unrest in the colonists, Britain sent more troops to try and control them and enforce law
The Boston Massacre
British soldiers fired upon an unarmed crowd of colonists killing 6
Happened as a result of high tensions between the high number of soldiers sent in to enforce taxes after the Townshend Act
Enraged colonists and got more colonists to start to be against Great Britain
Boston Tea Party
Happened as a result of the Tea Act that granted the East India Tea Co. to have a monopoly of tea sales in the colonies and also implented a high tax.
Colonists dressed as Indians stormed the ship and threw 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor.
Lead to Great Britains Intolerable Acts
Intolerable Acts
Britain's reaction to the Boston Tea Party and it included the Boston Port Bill, the Administration of Justice Act, the Massachusetts Government Act, and the Quebec Act.
The goal was to isolate Boston but ended up isolating many other colonies
Wanted to arrest rebels
Lexington and Concord
Militia started forming in Massachusetts
The King wanted to seize leaders like John Hancock as well as seize munitions to weaken militias.
Paul Reveres midnight ride to warn local militias that the British were coming
"The shot heard 'round the world"
The first shots and casualties of the war
The Olive Branch Petition
Colonies last formal attempt to prevent the war
Asked the King for a ceasefire, for the Acts to be repealed, and for the King to define the colonists rights.
It was rejected by King George III
The Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson as a formal declaration of their independence from Great Britain
It expressed the Americans opinions and listed their complaints of why they choose to declare independence.
