The American Revolution was driven by colonial opposition to British taxation without representation, starting with the Stamp Act and escalating through events like the Boston Massacre and Tea Party. Enlightenment ideals shaped the Declaration of Independence, asserting the colonists' right to self-governance and individual liberties.
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The colonists demanded a voice in legislative processes, particularly regarding taxation
The Stamp Act of 1765
The imposition of a tax on all paper documents sparked widespread resistance and was ultimately repealed due to colonial protest and the lobbying of British merchants
The war between England and France over North American territories, which concluded in 1763 with the Treaty of Paris, played a crucial role in setting the stage for the independence movement
The introduction of new duties on imported items such as paper, tea, and glass further inflamed colonial resentment
The confrontation between British soldiers and colonists, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, became a symbol of British oppression and galvanized the independence movement
The iconic event, in which members of the Sons of Liberty dumped an entire shipment of tea into Boston Harbor, was a protest against British economic control
The punitive measures, including the closing of Boston Harbor and the quartering of British soldiers in private homes, united the American colonies in their opposition to British rule
The convening of the Congress sought to organize a collective response to British policies, but attempts at reconciliation through boycotts and petitions were unsuccessful
The revolution was shaped by principles of the social contract, natural rights, and limited government, as reflected in the Declaration of Independence
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Colonial grievance: Taxation without representation
Colonists opposed British taxes imposed without their consent, exemplified by the slogan 'No taxation without representation!'
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Impact of the Stamp Act of 1765
The Stamp Act, taxing all paper documents, sparked colonial resistance and was repealed after protests and British merchant lobbying.
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Evolution of colonial legislative assemblies
English colonies in North America developed their own legislative bodies, which clashed with British tax impositions, fueling independence movements.
