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French and Indian War
The French wanting to take land from the British teamed up with natives to defeat the British. The battle lasted 7 years from 1754 and ended with the treaty of Paris in 1763. The war left Britain in debt and led to the taxing the American colonies. The taxes led directly into the American Revolution -
Sugar Act
First law passed by parliament to raise money for the monarchy from the colonies. Made more jobs needed for sugar from the West Indies. Protests from this eventually caused them to lower duties and the protests died down. -
Quartering Act
Forced colonists to give food and housing to British troops which cause more uproar. -
Stamp Tax
Required stamps on paper and bills of sale to raise funds for British army. Further enraged the colonies and some even refused to pay for which they were put on trial. Was the key factor in the anger as none of the members of parliament that passed it were American. -
Townshend Acts
Taxed on importing many goods such as glass, white lead, paper, paint, and tea (the most angering one). Caused colonists to refuse saying, “no taxation without representation.” -
The Boston Massacre
In front of the Custom House on king street colonists were continually attacking and provoking private Hugh White who was guarding the Custom house (where the king stored his money). Unending violence he called for reinforcements where Captain Thomas Preston arrived with several soldiers and took a defensive position. Colonists still attacking them when someone supposedly said “fire” which caused other soldiers to fire killing five colonists which fueled the colonists revolt. -
Boston Tea Party
To protest tax on tea about 100 Bostonians, disquieted as Indians, boarded ships and smashed 342 chests of tea. They then proceeded to dump it all in the harbor. Which helped lead the British East India Tea Company (company in good sitting with Britain) to bankruptcy. -
First Continental Congress
Breaking point of Intolerable acts led to a group of 55 men including S. Adams, J. Adams, George Washington and many more to form the First Continental Congress. They drew up Declaration of rights and an appeal to Britain. -
Intolerable Acts
In response to the Boston Tea Party Britain passed a series of acts to chastise colonists. Most drastic was Boston Port Act which closed the port until damage was paid. Restrictions were placed on town meetings. A new Quartering Act allowed local authorities to lodge soldiers anywhere, anytime, no questions asked. This was the absolute breaking point which led to revolution. -
Lexington and Concord
Due to Britain refusing the Declaration of Rights led to colonies training soldiers openly. British commander sent troops in to Lexington and Concord to steal gunpowder and instead turned into the first real battle. The first shot known as “the shot heard round the world” let everybody now the revolution was on.