Causes of the Revolution
Boston Massacre
As more British soldiers came into the colonies tensions began to rise. The night of the Boston Massacre began with colonists throwing rocks at British soldiers. A British solider fired at the colonists. This began a huge fight between the British soldiers and colonists. The night was titled the Boston Massacre. A total of 5 colonists died. |
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Tea Act & Boston Tea Party 1773
Colonists were very upset with the Townshend Act. As a result they boycotted British goods. Colonists stopped drinking tea or smuggled it in from the Caribbean. he East India Company was a huge part of the British economy. When colonists stopped buying their tea they lost money. The British parliament passed the Tea Act to help support the East India Company. The Tea Act allowed the East India Company to ship their tea directly to the colonies without first landing in Britain. This allowed the East India Company to lower their prices. English Tea became cheaper than Caribbean tea, even with the tax.
Colonists still refused to buy English tea. They did not believe they should pay taxes without representation in parliament. On December 16, 1773 a group of colonists dressed as Native Americans hoisted all of the English tea into Boston Harbor. All of the tea was ruined.
Colonists still refused to buy English tea. They did not believe they should pay taxes without representation in parliament. On December 16, 1773 a group of colonists dressed as Native Americans hoisted all of the English tea into Boston Harbor. All of the tea was ruined.
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Intolerable (Coercive) Acts & First Continental Congress 1774
The British government responded to the Boston Tea Party with vengeance. They wanted to punish the colonists for their rebellious behavior and make sure a situation like this would never happen again. The Intolerable (Coercive) Acts included the following actions:
1. Boston Port Act: The Boston Harbor was closed until damages from the Boston Tea Party were paid.
2. Massachusetts Government Act: A English appointed governor, not an elected representative, ran the Massachusetts government.
3. Administration of Justice Act: British officials were granted immunity from criminal prosecution.
4. Quartering Act: Colonists had to house more British soldiers sent to squash the rebellion.
1. Boston Port Act: The Boston Harbor was closed until damages from the Boston Tea Party were paid.
2. Massachusetts Government Act: A English appointed governor, not an elected representative, ran the Massachusetts government.
3. Administration of Justice Act: British officials were granted immunity from criminal prosecution.
4. Quartering Act: Colonists had to house more British soldiers sent to squash the rebellion.
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