Beginnings Of American Government Part II

Road to Revolution Various factors led up to the Declaration of Independence

French-Indian War 1754-1763 War between England and France carried over to English and French colonies in the Americas England won, and effectively shrunk French influence on the Eastern American seaboard

However… The war was VERY expensive How to pay for it?

Taxation! Parliament imposed various acts to help pay off the war debt, at home AND in the colonies In England, this seemed logical, as the war was expensive and for the colonist’s benefit More so because the colonists paid fewer taxes than British citizens at home

Taxation Continued Sugar Act - 1764 Stamp Act - 1765 Taxed molasses Indirect tax - price added to tax Like Michigan’s sales tax Stamp Act - 1765 Taxed revenue stamped paper Required for legal or business documents Both these Acts led to the…

Declaratory Act Declaratory Act - 1766 Repealed Stamp Act BUT Parliament reasserted its right to make laws for the American Colonies directly

Resistance Many of these acts were undercut or ignored Boston Massacre - 1770 British soldiers enforcing the Townshend Acts were targeted by Boston citizens Fired on the crowd of protestors Boston Tea Party - 1773 Led to the…

Intolerable Acts Five Act series Examples Four in response to Boston Tea Party Examples Closed port of Boston until Tea Party Damages paid for Infringed on right to free elections

All together, these events paved the way for the Declaration of Independence