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The beginning: French and Indian War
With the end of the war came many debts to pay off. The end of the war limited colonists ability to take land from the Indians. This upset colonists not because they were taxed but because their lack of say. -
The Sugar Act
A tax that extended the molasses act by 6 cents per gallon to 3 cents per gallon. Colonist smugglers were tried and stamped out. Made colonists upset as it took power away from colonial courts. -
The Stamp Act
All printed material must have a stamp. Stamps were not free. Colonists, especially lawyers and newspaper ones, were angry. Protesters would boycott and even caused violence. -
The Declaratory Act
This act was brought in the same day the Stamp Act was repealed. This act in summary, said, “We can tax you. We don’t want to in the moment but we could. We won’t! But we can!” Many colonists thought it was a victory but those in elite groups didn’t think so. -
The Townshed Act
Tried to stop smuggling. Colonists, and women alike, boycotted. Artisans enjoyed these boycotts as they made more money. States like Philadelphia and New York did not. They could not make money which also led to the Boston Massacre. -
The Tea Act
Tax exemptions and rebates on cheap tea were sent to colonies which lowered the price of tea. Most of the colonists were angry because this would cut into smugglers profits and of the established merchants. Others were angry on principle. -
The End: Revolutionary War
Fighting broke between British soldiers and Massachusetts militiamen, the militiamen, at Concord and Lexington. Not everyone was pro-independence like New York and Pennsylvania.