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End of the French and Indian War
At the end of the French and Indian War, England had a huge war debt. In order to pay back their owed money, Britain taxed the colonists living in the Americas. Sam Adams says:
"I’m so glad the war between England and the French is over, but now they’re taxing us! What an outrage!"
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The Proclamation of 1763
To avoid any future conflicts with France’s colonists, England told their colonists that they could not live west of the Appalachian Mountains. Sam Adams says:
“Why does England get to choose where we get to live? It’s not fair, so I guess we will just ignore it.”
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The Sugar Act
The first tax on the colonists was called the Sugar Act. It was a tax put on sugar, molasses, wine, coffee, and other delectable things that the colonists liked. Smugglers of these items to the colonies were punished. Sam Adams says:
“I agree with James Otis, who said, “Taxation without representation is tyranny!” We should boycott British goods so that they see how much we love their taxes!”
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The Quartering Act
According to this new act, the colonists were required to house and feed British soldiers that came to their houses. Sam Adams says:
“Our rights are being violated as Englishmen! If a soldier ever comes to my house looking for shelter and food, I will slam the door in his face!”
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The Stamp Act
Britain’s second tax in the colonies was on papers like wills, contracts, newspapers, and even playing cards. Sam Adams says:
“This is so unfair! Britain sure pays a lot of attention, because we buy and use paper often!”
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The Townshend Acts
The next acts, the Townshend Acts, said that taxes would be put on imports (such as paper, glass, and lead) instead of goods in the colonies. They also introduced the Writs of Assistance, which allowed British officials to search ships without a reason. Sam Adams says:
“Again, our rights our being violated. We had no say in any of these new acts! Besides, it’s still a tax!”
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The Boston Massacre
On a freezing March night, a group of 200-300 colonists taunted a British sentry, which led to throwing sticks, rocks, and ice at the sentry and his fellow soldiers who came as backups. The soldiers shot without command into the crowd, resulting in five dead colonists and six injured. Sam Adams says:
“The soldiers shouldn't have shot at our men, but the colonists have to learn to control themselves if they want to live.
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The Tea Act
The Tea Act gave Britain’s East India Tea Company a monopoly (complete control over) the tea business in the colonies. Although the company’s tea was cheaper, it was still the same price because of taxes. Sam Adams says:
“Are you joking? Now the silly British have put our tea merchants out of business by putting a monopoly on their tea! They could have at least made the tea cheaper, but it’s the same, because IT’S STILL TAXED!
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The Boston Tea Party
The tension in Boston grew to the point that the colonists decided to do something. So one night, a group of 30 to 130 men, some dressed as NAs, boarded a British tea ship and in more than three hours dumped 342 cases (90,000£) of tea into the Boston Harbor. Sam Adams says:
“Hooray! The colonists (led by me) have finally made the British mad! Now they might stop taxing us!”
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The Coercive Acts
These acts did several things. They closed the Boston ports until payment was taken from the colonists in response to the Boston Tea Party, moved trials to England, banned westward movement, and strengthened the Quartering Act of 1765. Sam Adams says:
“They cannot close our ports! Do you see why we call these the Intolerable Acts?”
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Paul Revere's Midnight Ride
On this historic night, Paul Revere and William Dawes rode towards Concord separately, but with the same intentions of warning the colonial minutemen of British advancements. Sam Adams says:
“Although I am uncomfortable at the closeness of the British troops, I am proud of Mr. Revere’s and Mr. Dawes’s braveness. They risked their lives for our independence!”
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Lexington and Concord
These battles are known as “The shot heard round the world” because it was news that people all over the world learned about very quickly. Up to 4,000 minutemen came in response to Paul Revere’s call to fight the Redcoats. The minutemen’s firing killed and wounded 300 British, who were forced to retreat.
What Sam Adams actually said about this event in 1775:
“What a glorious morning is this!” He was very happy that the colonists were finally fighting for their freedom.
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