US History: Prelude to American Revolution
Events Which Forced The People of New England to Revolt Against His Majesty the King
1. The French and Indian War (1754–63)
George Washington led an army to kick out the French from West Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, he failed in that but the UK out beaten France on other fronts and in 1760 Montreal (then under french rule) surrendered. War ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763. But to recover war expenses UK imposed new taxes on colonies and further tightened the ban on smuggling which allowed tax-free cheap products. Further, the treaty banned westward expansion from the Appalachian Mountains.
2. Currency Act (1764)
Before this there was no uniform currency in 13 colonies and the colonists mainly used bills of credit as currency. The act made it mandatory to use British currency for all transactions. The colonists protested against it and started boycotting UK imported goods and raised the slogans of “ no taxation without representation.”
3. Sugar Act (1964)
The tax on sugar, wine, and molasses imported from the Caribbean was lowered but the catch was that a heavy hand was put on smugglers and they were being trialed in the UK and not in the Colonies. Earlier, through smuggling people used to pay no taxes at all.
4. The Stamp Act (1765)
It declared that all printed material had to carry a stamp. This was done to gain revenue for UK and it affected some of the most organized communities such as lawyers thereby causing huge protests and resistance. The act was repealed in 1766 under the pressure of protests held by “ Sons of Liberty.”
5. The Townshend Acts ( 1767)
The act was named after chancellor of the Exchequer Charles Townshend. New taxes were imposed on imports to colonies and a set of new board of customs was established to stop smuggling. Many colonists responded with protests and a women’s group named “Daughters of Liberty” outshined all.
6. Tea Act and Boston Tea Party
Heavy taxes were imposed on imports by all local merchants but the exemption was given to imports by East India Company to prop up its profits. This heavily undermined the interests of US merchants. On 16 December 1773, members of Sons of Liberty dressed as Indians and dumped tea equivalent to modern day $4mn into Boston Harbor.
7. Intolerable Acts
• Boston Port Act: Closed the port until colonists paid for the Tea Party damages
• The Massachusetts Government Act: Curtailed the self-government and granted more powers to the royal governor
• Administration of Justice Act: Barred the colony courts from prosecuting British Officials in the colonies.
• New Quartering Act: Colonists were to bear the cost of UK soldiers stationed in colonies and in case of shortage of stubble, provide soldiers a place to stay at.
All these events angered the local population and made them feel alienated. Then rose the slogans of "No Taxation Without Representation." On 04 July 1776 Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1783 second Paris Treaty was signed where the UK accepted the sovereignty of 13 colonies.
