French and Indian War (1754-1763)

The war was in favor of Britain, but she ended was mounted with war debts. Therefore she turned to these colonies for revenue to pay her debts. This agitated the colonists who were neither responsible nor connected to this event. In addition, the Crown's Proclamation of 1763 restricted movement of the colonist beyond the Appalachian Mountain which hurt the colonists freedom of movement and became one of the causes for the revolution. Though Britain did not intend to harm the colonists, many colonists took offense at this order.

The Sugar Act of 1764 led to the increase in the duty of imported sugar and as this was not grown in America. By this Act, the colonists had to pay addition duties to get it from West Indies which made them very upset with Britain.

The Currency Act of 1764 prohibited the issue of paper bills or credit bills as it caused hindrance to the British trade .This agitated the Americans and the revolution became eminent. Quartering Act of 1765 ordered the colonists to provide boarding and lodging the British soldiers if need be and this was intolerable to the colonists who never wanted them on their soil. Moreover, Britain ordered that colonists were to house and feed British soldiers if necessary.

Stamp Act of 1765 was a direct tax on certain commodities as well as marriage licenses which was disliked by the colonists. This was highly condemned by every American who felt it went against their freedom as the British levied tax on essential commodities without their consent. Stamp Act Congress of 1765 was the reaction to the Stamp Act where in members of 27 colonies met to draft their grievances against the British rule. There was mob uprising that vehemently apposed the Stamp Act and the Declaration Act was passed.

Townshend Act of 1767 imposed tax on common items like paper, glass, paint and tea. As the Americans couldn't do without these commodities, they had to pay this import tax. Boston Massacre in 1770 was the first open clash of the British troops on the colonists. This incident wounded six Bostonians and killed five others. It however exposed the brutality of the British troops on the colonists.

Tea Act of 1773 gave the right to the East India Company to monopolize the trade of tea in America. The colonists had to pay a huge sum for the import of tea and the Sons of Liberty (local groups who opposed the British measures) decided to boycott the sale of tea on the American soil The Boston Tea Party of 1773 was a direct reaction to the Tea Act were by the tea that came in ships was dumped into the sea at Boston Harbor by a group of colonists dressed as Indians. This infuriated Britain who passed the Intolerable Acts of 1774. Intolerable/Coercive Acts of 1774 followed the Boston Tea Party by which the Boston harbor was closed and restrictions were imposed on meetings and gatherings.