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The end of the French and Indian War
By the end of the war Britain had won, but had almost doubled it's national debt. To pay for some of the debt they began taxing the colonies without their say, which was unusual because the colonies mainly governed themselves and placed their own laws and taxes. The colonist saw taxes from Great Britain to be unfair because they left the colonies in salutary neglect, but on the other hand th citizens of Britain paid taxes for the defending and expansion of the colonies. -
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Causes of the American Revolution Timeline
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The Sugar, Quartering, and Stamp Acts
Three separate tax acts that went into affect in the colonies and would raise funds for the British empire to levy debts. Met heavy resistance in the colonies that claim it would hinder the colonist economy and infringe on their liberty and prosperity. Many believed it was unfair for parliament to impose taxes since the colonies had no voice in British parliament, even though British citizens still paid taxes without being represented in parliament. -
Sons of liberty
A group of protesters known as "The Sons of Liberty" would heavily resist any taxes imposed on them. They would harass colonists who voiced in favor of the taxes, tax collectors homes, and tear down town offices. They would lead to the eventual resignation of all stamp tax collectors by the end of the year. -
Boycotts
Many colonial leaders agreed to enforce a boycott on British goods to heavily impact British merchants. Since cloth could not be imported many women gave up luxuries and comforts in order to supply for the colonies. These women were greatly respected and known as the "Daughters of Liberty." Under pressure from merchants Britain would repeal the stamp act in 1766. -
Response to the Townshend Acts
In response to the Townshend Acts the Colonists would spark more protest and negative feelings directed toward the British. The British would keep their policies much to the disdain of the colonist, and after the seizure of a smuggling ship owned by John Hancock riots ensued. -
Townshend Act
An act that would put dues or fees on everyday items such as lead, glass, paper, and tea. It was met with profuse disagreement from the colonies as it would make governors and judges more independent from the colonies. The colonist insisted on not paying any further taxes. -
Boston Massacre
Because of the increasing number of riots the Crown had ordered troops to be sent to the colonies in order to enforce their laws. During one of these protests in winter the colonists had been throwing snowballs and rock at the soldiers so the nervous and outnumbered soldiers fired onto the crowd. Little casualties were caused, but the press had gotten their hands on the information and had made it seem like a massacre. -
Intolerable acts
To punish the colonists for their riots and protests the British would still keep their taxes on the colonies and control the ports of the colonies. Controlling the ports would control the colonies economies and the goods that they could trade and buy. This was met with physical disputes between the colonists, who armed themselves with weapons, against the British soldiers and representatives. -
First Continental Congress
Finally being pushed enough many colonial leaders gathered to form a plan of action against the British. It was originally decided that they would send a petition the Crown, but this would go unanswered. The general consensus was to relieve the conflict as peacefully as possible as to not be under the wrath of the largest military force in the world at the time. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
When British soldiers headed to Boston to arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams and capture a weapons cache in Concord Militiamen were waiting for them before they could reach Boston.There were 70 militiamen and 700 British soldiers and for a while there was a standstill until an unknown shot is heard and a conflict ensues. When the dust settle and the British have been chased to Boston only 7 militiamen were killed and nearly 200 British soldiers were killed Starting the Revolutionary War.
