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Writs of Assistance
The Writs of Assistance was brought back to prevent and reduce sumuggling with in the Colonies. It allowed British soldiers to come into homes and search if the owner was suspected to be smuggling. The Colonists were angry at the presence of soldiers because for 150 years, they have defended themselves. -
The French and Indian War Ends
After the French and Indian War ended, the Colonies couldn't expand further west of the Appalachian Mountains. The war brought debt upon Britain. -
The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was passed to tax sugar and molasses in efforts of paying for the debt caused by the French and Indian War. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was passed to tax all paper goods to increase the tax rates to pay for the debt of the French and Indian War. Colonists were becoming angry due to the newly enforced taxes. Mock hangings of tax collectors were also an effect of these acts. -
Townshend Act
The Townshend Act was also passed to increase tax rates to pay for the debt caused by the French and Indian War. It put tax on lead, paper, glass, paint, oil, and tea. These were all imports to the Colonies. This act only brought more anger to the Colonists. -
The Boston Massacre
Angry Colonists attacked 12 British soldiers to show their anger toward Britain's acts. Five members of the Sons of Liberty were killed after the soldiers shot into the crowd. Colonists used this event as a propaganda to unite the Americans. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Colonists were angry because of the Tea Act and decided to retaliate by throwing the unused tea into the Boston Harbor. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
King George ordered General Thomas Gage to arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams, who were the leaders of the Sons of Liberty. They ordered them to be arrested because they knew that they were secretly storing gunpowder. The Colonists suspected a battle because of the amount of soldiers in Massachusetts. They Colonies won their first victory in Concord.