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French and Indian War
Also known as the "seven years war," this was the final Colonial War. Britain, Sweden , Austria, and France fought to crush the growing power of the King of Prussia. The war cost many lives and massive amounts of money which the King tried to recover by taxing the colonies. -
Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 cut off westward expanision for the colonies. This was done in an attempt to ease the fears of the Native Americans. This angered the colonists who felt they had earned the west. -
The Sugar Act
The sugar act taxed foreign goods such as sugar, wines, and coffees. This limited the number of markets in which the colonists could sell goods. The amount of curency availible for buying British goods was limited as well. -
The Currency Act
In the colonies, there was a great confusion due to lack of standard currency. The currency act gave Britain full control over the colonial currency system. All colonial bills were in turn abolished. -
The Stamp Act
The stamp act was Britain's first serious attempt to use it's authority to rule over the colonies. The act forced colonist to buy stamps for all documents and other select goods. This tax was yet another attempt to regain money from the french and indian war. -
The Quartering Act
At this time, British officials were placing more and more soldiers in the colonies to keep control.The Quartering Act forced colonists to house soldiers regardless of whether they want to or not. This act later led to the third ammendment of the U.S. constitution. -
Townshend Act
The townshend act placed taxes on many goods including paper, paint, glass, and lead. This came as a slight punishment for New Yorks noncomplience with the quartering act. After several insurections by coloniest after the act was passed, Britain begain the process of occupying Boston. -
The Boston Massacre
After a mob of colonists gathered outside of a customs house to protest British occupation, British soldiers opened fire on civilians. This occurence outraged the colonists greatly. This anger added tension to the already tense relation with Britain. -
The Tea Act
The tea act gave the East India Company complete control over tea trade to the colonies. Although the tax lowered the cost of tea, it served as yet another forced tax on the colonists. The act also created a monopoly for British trade to the colonies. -
The Boston Tea Party
Colonist were angred by the tea act and its forced taxes. In response to this outrage, a group of colonists stormed 3 trade ships that were transporting tea. All 342 crates of tea were dumped into the Boston Harbor.
