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French and Indian War
The French and Indian war started in 1754 over some disputed territory between France and England. The war resulted in a 9 year long major conflict. -
French and Indian war ends
When the war ended France had to give up its claims in Canada, the Louisiana territory and many of its overseas colonies. And Spain gave up Florida. The war landed the UK in 60 million pounds of debt. So to make back the money the UK passed a bunch of taxes on the colonies. -
The royal proclamation act of 1763
This was a law that restricted the colonists from passing the Ohio river valley. This law was passed to stop the native Americans from attacking British forts. -
The sugar act
This was a tax on imports for textiles, wine, coffee and sugar. -
The currency act
It was the prohibition of issuing new bills and reissuing of existing currency. As a result the colony’s currency saw a decline in its value. -
The quartering act
This meant colonists had to pay for the food and lodging of British soldiers in the colonies. -
The stamp act
The stamp act levied a tax on all legal documents and printed materials. Such as, newspapers and pamphlets to playing cards and dice. -
The declaratory act of 1766
This was a law passed on the colonies that said the British government could pass whatever law they wanted to. -
The Boston massacre
It started when a few colonists were heckling a redcoat. More and more colonists joined in the heckling and more redcoats joined in support of their comrade. The colonists started throwing stuff at the soldiers, they started to feel threatened and they opened fire on the colonists. Five colonists were killed. Outspoken colonists claimed it was unjust murder of innocent civilians. -
The Boston tea party
A group of colonists called ‘The Sons of Liberty’ raided a British ship that had imported tea from the East Indies. They threw 342 chests of tea overboard. This action caused the British government to blockade the Boston harbor and send 3,000 troops to the city. -
Thomas Paine’s common sense
In this document, Paine advocates for independence from Britain and the creation of a democracy. In the document he argues that a representational government is more effective than a monarchy or other forms of government. To this day it is the best selling document, proportionate to population.