13 colonies that became the us were british
revolutions to become independent
caused by new taxation
1764:
Sugar Act
mainly raising tariff of sugar
enforce existing tariffs
protests lead to a scaling back by the british
1765:
Stamp Tax
taxes on all official documents
protests not only because of the money, but also was visible every day
1766:
Prime Minister Rockingham replaced with William Pitt
Pitt was popular in colonies
opposed Stamp Act
colonists should have the same rights as british citizens
Pitt became sick → Charles Townshend took over
wanted new taxes and no rights for colonists
boycotts in colonies
non importation of british goods
british importation dropped by the half
1768:
British troops land in Boston
4000 troops
1770:
Boston massacre
armed clash between colonists and British troops
1770:
Townshend act repealed
less taxes
but still taxes on tea
1773:
Boston Tea Party
tea could only be sold by the East India Tea Company
unloaded in Boston
16.12
thousands of Bostonians came to the harbor
50 people, dressed as Indians, threw 90,000 pounds of tea overboard
1774:
Coercive Acts imposed
Boston harbor closed until East India Tea Company received compensation
royal governor took control over Massachusetts
1776:
4.July 1776 Independence
weak government
states got the most power
1787:
Federal Constitution