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French and Indian War
Caused by competition between land, control of North American trade routes, alliances with Native Tribes, the European Wars, and they were traditional enemies.
The British increased funds by $8 million to win the war. This resulted in them increasing taxes in America. American troops are stationed in America. -
Salutary Neglect
The need for money ends salutary neglect (avoiding strict enforcement to keep America obedient). More enforcement is added for tax collection. George Greenville is elected as Finance Minister. -
Sugar Act and Stamp Act
The Sugar Act places an indirect tax on sugar in order to decrease smuggling. The Stamp Act put a direct tax on all printed goods. Colonists felt their rights were being violated. These acts were met with colonial resistance. -
Stamp Act Congress
Sons and Daughters of Liberty decide to use boycotts. Violence or illegal means are sometimes used: Tarring and feathering, smuggling, refusing to pay taxes, attacks on -
Townshed Act
Repealed the Stamp Act, replaced with the Townshed Act; taxed glass, paint,tea, etc. Money was used to finance troops in colonies. only lasted for 4 years. -
Boston Massacre
British Army infantrymen shot and killed 5 American colonists after they rioted against them. Details on whether the shooting was warranted or not are not clear. -
Tea Act
Tax on tea. The British East India Co. were in danger of bankruptcy. Results in the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
American colonists disguised as natives dumped 352 barrels of tea into the Boston port, equating to $1-3 million dollars in damages. King George III used this event as a way to accuse the colonists as a threat to British rule. This resulted in the intolerable acts. -
Intolerable Acts (Quartering act, Boston Port Bill, Administration of Justice Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Quebec Act)
-Required colonists to house and feed British troops
-Closed the port of Boston to all colonists until the damages from the Boston Tea Party were paid for.
-British officials could not be tried in provincial courts for capital crimes, but would be tried in Britain.
-Effectively annulled the charter of the colonies, giving the British governor complete control of town meetings.
-Extended the Canadian borders to cut off the western colonies of Conn. Mass. and Va. -
Olive Branch Petition
The final attempt by the colonists to avoid going to war with Britain.
the demanded that Britain cease fire in Boston, and that King George III repeals the Intolerable Acts and to define colonial rights. The King sees the petition as a joke and declares the colonists in a state of rebellion.