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French-Indian War
Lasted from 1754-1763
British and colonial powers fought French and Natives for control of land and trade routes.
After the war Britain had a lot of debt
They blamed America for this debt
This caused Britain to try and tax America to pay for their war debt -
Sugar Act
Britain tries to pay off their war debt by taxing a highly used item in America: sugar.
Britain thought this would be a good idea and not anger Americans because it lowers the Molasses Act
This angers Americans and they continue to smuggle sugar and avoid buying British sugar -
Stamp Act
Made because Sugar Act did not work, they still had the same amount of debt.
British put a tax on all printed goods
Much easier to regulate because they have to stamp all printed goods.
The additional tax upsets Americans, they felt their rights had been violated -
Boycotts
Americans thought that the Stamp Act crossed the line and violated their rights.
They decided they needed rebel to abolish these taxes
They created groups such as the Sons of Liberty, Stamp Act Congress, and the Daughters of Liberty
Some used more violent tactics to boycott such as tarring and feathering, and attacking soldiers and tax collectors -
Townshend Acts
The boycotts convinced the British to repeal the taxes but instead of getting rid of these unfair taxes they created the Townshend Acts
This was a tax on lesser used items such as glass, paint, tea and more.
This did not change how the Americans felt but did calm them down a little bit -
Tea Act
British get rid of Townshend Act
Tax strictly on tea
The British give a monopoly to the British East India company due to them going bankrupt
This makes the Sons of Liberty assemble -
Boston Tea Party
Sons of Liberty dress up as natives and destroy cargo on a British tea ships
They damage or destroy about 1-3 million dollars worth of tea
This infuriates King George the third.
He sends in troops to Boston and tries to limit them to a state of dependence.
He then creates the Intolerable Acts -
Intolerable Acts
Boston Port Bill- Britain closes Boston's port until money lost from the Boston Tea Party is paid off
Administration of Justice Act-British officials were to be tried in Britain and not in America
Massachusetts Government Act-Gave British governor complete control over town meetings
Quebec Act-Extended Canadian borders to cut off colonies from expanding
This isolated Boston
The Sons of Liberty come together to create the Continental Congress (1st) -
1st Continental Congress
They discuss the Intolerable Acts and their rights
"Life, Liberty, and Property"
They plan boycotts and non-importation
They create Committees of Correspondence
The King hears of the meeting and tries to stop the rebellion by sending troops to Lexington and Concord -
Lexington And Concord
British troops start heading toward Lexington and Concord.
MiIitia forms in MA
Colonists form a spy network and are much better with the terrain.
It was a very poor plan by the British
Much more British casualties than American, even though they had a much smaller and less trained army.
British fires the "shot heard around the world" which starts the revolution