Road to Revolution

The French and Indian War, also dubbed the Seven Years War in Europe, pitted Britain and France against each other in various locations around the world, making it a truly global conflict. However, in the North American theater, both Britain, their colonists and Iroquois allies fought against the French and their Huron and Algonquin allies. Essentially this war was fought for control of the resource rich Ohio River Valley, but in reality much more was at stake. The winner would reign supreme in North America, giving them unrivaled access to the bountiful resources available within the continent. Despite losing many battles in the initial fighting, Britain, aided considerably by colonial militias, rallied back and won the key battles of Quebec and Montreal. These victories allowed Britain to win the war. The conflict concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, a document that drove the French influence from North America almost entirely. In the end Great Britain gained a tremendous amount of land that stretched from the Appalachian Mountains west to the Mississippi River, but it came at a tremendous cost. Britain, who borrowed tremendous amounts of money to fund the war against their rival was plunged deep into economic debt. To recover these funds, the King and Parliament began a heavy campaign of taxation within the 13 Colonies, a decision that would tarnish the relationship between her and her colonies and eventually lead to the American Revolution.

On March 5, 1770 the Boston Massacre occurred. Crowds were gathered outside the Boston Customs house shouting “Lobsterbacks”. The soldiers fired and killed 5 people. Many people were outraged, but Sam Adams wrote letters to other colonists to build outrage. The soldiers were arrested.John Adams defended them, the heaviest punishment was branding from the hand. Sam Adams formed a committee of correspondence, they also wrote letters and pamphlets reporting events of Massachusetts. English merchants pressured the parliament into ending the taxes. George III said no because “There must always be one tax to keep up the right”. In July, 1774 John Adams asked for tea from an innkeeper. She refused and he was glad that she did because he said that tea must be given up by all colonists.

In 1765, the Stamp Act was passed. The Stamp Act placed duties on legal documents. It placed duties on documents such as wills, diplomas, and marriage papers. Any items in the name of this law had to carry a stamp proving that the tax had already been paid. This act was used to raise money. Eventually, riots broke out in Boston, New York City, Newport, and Charleston. These riots broke out because British officials tried to enforce the Stamp Act, some of these angry colonists threw rocks at the agents trying to collect the unpopular taxes. The colonists thought that these taxes imposed by the Stamp Act were very unjust.

In 1765, the Stamp Act was passed. The Stamp Act placed duties on legal documents. It placed duties on documents such as wills, diplomas, and marriage papers. Any items in the name of this law had to carry a stamp proving that the tax had already been paid. This act was used to raise money. Eventually, riots broke out in Boston, New York City, Newport, and Charleston. These riots broke out because British officials tried to enforce the Stamp Act, some of these angry colonists threw rocks at the agents trying to collect the unpopular taxes. The colonists thought that these taxes imposed by the Stamp Act were very unjust.

The Proclamation of 1763 followed the French and Indian war, it drew an imaginary line along the crest of the Appalachian Mountains. It outlawed colonists from going or settling on land west of the line. Any settlers who were already there, had to move away. The proclamation angered colonists because they fought and won the war but they still got their land taken away. To enforce this law, Britain sent 10,000 troops to the colonies. As you can see, this was the purpose of the Proclamation of 1763.

On April 5th, 1763 the Sugar Act was passed. The purpose of the Sugar Act was to generate income and make customs collection more efficient. Most colonists focused on its impact of sugar imports, therefore it was known as the Sugar Act. Colonists had to pay six pence per gallon on foregin molasses. It was intended to help British West Indies Planters. The new law reduced the price of imported molasses and represented a net gain in customs collection. In conclusion, the Sugar Act made customs collection more efficient.

The Townshend Act was passed in May of 1767. The parliament reopened the debate over taxing colonies. The Townshend acts passed goods such as glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea.The colonists still objected this act although the taxes were low. The Townshend Act also set up a new way to collect taxes. The Writs of Assistance document, was a legal document that allowed officers to inspect ships cargo without giving a reason. The colonists protested this because it violated their rights as British citizens.

In 1773 the Tea Act occurred. The Tea Act was used to aid the British East India Company. The British East India Company was on the verge of bankruptcy by allowing it to sell its tea directly to the North American colonies. Colonial appetite for luxury items such as tea, had started growing in the second half of the 18th century. Tea was the only Item that was still taxed under the Townshend duties. The Tea Act did away with the reselling process and the tax in England. That made it less expensive than tea smuggling.

The Intolerable Acts were passed in 1774. The first Parliament shut down the port of Boston. The Second Parliament forbade Massachusetts colonists to hold town meetings more than once a year. The third Parliament provided for customs officers and other officials charged with major crimes to be tried in Britain instead of Massachusetts. The fourth Parliament said that redcoats would no longer camp on Boston Common, instead commanders could force citizens to house troops in their homes. Some people said that the people of Boston faced hunger while the port was closed.

The first shots of the Lexington & Concord were fired on April 19, 1775. There was a series of battles which were known as Lexington & Concord, General Thomas Gage received orders to seize stores of arms and ammunition. The Americans were outnumbered and lost the battle. In the second battle Americans arrived early in the morning and opened fire. The British lost 273 men and the Americans lost 95 men this was the start of the Revolutionary War.