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The End of the French and Indian War
The Treaty of Paris was signed on this day, which effectively ended the 7 Years War, or the French and Indian War.
This brought major debt within the colonies, either for repairing damages or claiming new territory. Colonists became enraged, as this resulted in unprompted taxes to help pay for these issues. -
The Sugar Act
This first act changed the price of imports to the Caribbean from 6 cents per gallon to 3 cents per gallon.
Despite being halved, these taxes were heavily forced onto the colonists, and as well as that the act cracked down on smuggling severely, raising colonial anger. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act stated that any piece of paper in the colonies must have a stamp printed on it, which was not free.
This led to protests by the colonist, some even getting violent. Boycotts took place as well, and eventually Britain repealed the act. -
The Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act came with the repealing of the Stamp Act. The act affirmed the Parliament's complete authority over the colonists, either it be taxes, or government policies.
Colonists were not happy with this, as it could have been seen as tyrannical for the British government to be creating acts this way. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were a series of acts imposed onto the colonies, enforcing strict trade regulations and taxes.
The colonists responded to this with a boycott, refusing to import goods and own British property. The act also allowed troops to be anywhere as they please, which colonists were not happy with. As tensions raised, eventually came the Boston Massacre, where government troops killed 5 colonists. -
The Tea Act
The Tea Act allowed the British Government to impose taxes on cheap tea in the colonies.
While prices for tea technically lowered, colonists were angry because of the sheer idea of taxing one of the most important beverages to the colonists, which eventually lead to the Boston Tea Party. -
The Intolerable Acts
After the Boston Tea Party, British Parliament passed a series of acts dubbed "The Intolerable Acts" by colonists. These acts included regulations such as allowing soldiers to enter and house any home if they want to, and increasing the southern border of Quebec, which also allowed for religious toleration of Catholics, which the recently enlightened colonists were not happy with. -
The Start of the Revolutionary War
As tensions rose even higher, protests ensued, and the Parliament believed only a military win would silence the rebellion. On April 19th, 1775, some 70 minutemen arrived at Lexington and Concord, where a shot was fired at one of their own. Known as "The Shot Heard Round the World", this was the beginning of the Revolutionary War.