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French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was a war primarily between the British and the French. This war was fought over land and control of the North American trade routes. The French and British were traditional enemies, and the alliances with the Natives as well as the European Wars helped lead to the war. Following the war, Britain was in incredible debt, causing an increase of taxes, unfair blame, and increased troops in the colonies. Additionally, the Proclamation of 1763 ended westward expansion. -
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Sugar and Stamp Acts
The Sugar Act's goal was to decrease smuggling. It lowered taxes from the Molasses Act, was an indirect tax, and issued Writs of Assistance, allowing the search of colonists' property.On the other hand, the Stamp Act was a tax on all printed goods and was a direct tax. The colonists thought their rights were being violated because of the additional tax. Due to these acts, the colonists formed the Stamp Act Congress, Sons/Daughters of Liberty, boycotts, and non-importation agreements. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts repealed the Stamp Act, but also replaced it. It created a tax on glass, paint, tea, and various other items. Similar to the Navigation Act, the colonists had to buy these items from the British. Despite the increased taxes, the money had to be used to finance the troops stationed in the colonies because of the violent effects of the acts. Colonists were tarring and feathering, smuggling, refusing to pay their taxes, and attacking the tax collectors and soldiers. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act was a tax on tea, forming a monopoly to the British East Indian Company. This particular company was in danger of bankruptcy due to their poor investments and competition from the Dutch. As an effect of this act, the Sons of Liberty assembled and gathered followers for the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was an effect of the Tea Act. It was a reaction of the colonists schemed by the Sons of Liberty, and it weakens the British East Indian Company. 1-3 million dollars worth of cargo was thrown off the ship or destroyed on the ship. Great Britain saw this event as a "threat to British rule." As a result, King George III was angry and determined to use force in order to "reduce the colonies to a state of dependence." This declaration pushes the creation of the Intolerable Acts. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts included the Quartering Act, Boston Port Bill, Administration of Justice Act, Massachusetts Government Act, and the Quebec Act. In general, colonists now had to house soldiers, had to close the port of Boston, could not try British Officials in the colonies, and could not run their own government. Contrastingly, the bill extended the Canadian borders to cut off western colonies. Consequently, Boston was isolated and there was a call for an inter-colonial meeting. -
First Continental Congress
The Intolerable Acts advanced to the First Continental Congress. This group of men sought to answer the questions of what our rights are and how to defend them. Amongst the debates, the answer of life, liberty, and property came forth. If they were to convince others in joining their rebellion, they needed to make themselves the victim. This concept formed boycotts and non-importations. Committees of Correspondence inspected custom houses and blacklisted those ignoring the movements. -
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Second Continental Congress
With a new group of people, the question of independence was asked. Franklin, Hancock, and Jefferson all appeared to put in their opinion. John Dickinson urged a petition as the current situation supported his wealth. At the same time, Adams urged independence. Adams nominated Washington to lead the army in order to disengage rumors that Boston wanted to replace the king (Washington was from Virginia). The Second Continental Congress later adopts the Olive Branch Petition. -
Lexington and Concord
A militia was beginning to form in Massachusetts. Great Britain heard rumor of this militia, and the King wanted to react immediately to seize leaders and ammunitions. Overall, it was a poor plan for Great Britain. The colony's spy network got word to the people that the British were coming, and the weapons which Britain came for were quickly relocated and hidden. For this reason, Britain found no weapons and their morale decreased. On their way back, the Americans attacked and killed 273 men. -
Olive Branch Peition
The Olive Branch was a final attempt to avoid a full-on war between Great Britain and the colonies. In simple terms, it called for a cease fire in Boston, for King George III to repeal the Acts, and for the King to define colonial rights. To the colonies dismay, the King sees the petition as a joke and declares the colonies in a state of rebellion. Under these circumstances, the colonies begin to bond and Adams drafts a plan for independence.
