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End of the French and Indian War
Description: The war ended with the Treaty of Paris, giving up French territories in North America to Britain.
Colonist's Reaction: They faced an increase on British control and had to pay taxes to pay off war debts, but they also celebrated British victory. -
Sugar Act
Description: Made taxes on the sugar and molasses that was being imported into the colonies to raise the revenue for Britain.
Colonist's Reaction: They protested the tax, they argued that it hurt trade and violated their rights. This lead to cried of "no Taxation without representation". -
Stamp Act
Description: Required colonists to purchase stamps for their legal documents, newspapers, and licenses.
Colonist's Reaction: Brutally opposed this act, this formed the Sons of Liberty and boycotting British good, this lead to its repeal in 1766. -
Declaratory Act
Description: Asserted Britain's full authority to make some laws binding the colonies.
Colonist's Reactions: They were alarmed by this act's large assertion of British control, this made them distrust despite its repeal. -
Townshend Acts
Description: Imposed taxes on imported goods to give money to the British administration in the colonies.
Colonist's Reactions: They organized protests, they viewed the acts as further evidence of British overreach. -
Tea Act
Description: Allowed the British East India Company to sell tea to the colonies, undermining local merchants and maintaining taxes.
Colonist's Reactions: They reacted with the Boston Tea Party, they dumped tea into the harbor showing that they were protesting the tax and British monopoly. -
Start of the Revolutionary War
Description: Began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord in April, this marked the start of armed conflict.
Colonist's Reactions: They rallied to form their own military, they were committed to fight for their independence from British rule.