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French and Indian War
The French and Indian war (aka The Seven Years War) was a battle between Britain and France over territory in The New World. It lasted nine years, starting in 1754 over disputes regarding Fort LeBoeuf and ending in 1761 with The Treaty of Paris. -
The Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was a declaration that all lands west of the Appalachian Mountains where off limits. It separated the colonies from the potentially hostile Natives. It was used to prevent colonists from expanding westward and getting involved in conflicts with the Native American tribes. The colonists were not happy with this, and defied the proclamation multiple times. -
The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was passed to help pay the costs of the French and Indian War. It taxed all British products containing sugar. Colonists were upset because they had no say in the matter. They thought that there should be no taxation without representation. -
The Stamp Act
Still deep in debt from the French and Indian War, Britain passed The Stamp Act, which taxed all things made of paper. To prove you payed the tax, you needed to show it with a stamp, which was also made of paper. Colonists fought against this as well, as they still had no representation in Parliment. -
The Townshend Acts
This placed taxes on glass, lead, paint, tea, and paper. Writs of assistance were used to enforce the tax. The colonists started to boycott British goods, and The Sons of Liberty, a group of Patriots, attacked British customs houses. Britain sent troops to fix this in 1768. -
The Boston Massacre
When a crowd gathered after a British Redcoat struck a colonist, a group of 8 Redcoats fired into the crowd and killed 5 men. This 'massacre' caused more resentment toward the British.
