Colonial Discontent
As the European population grew in North America, colonists desired more land. Soon, conflict over territory erupted between Britain and France resulting in the French and Indian War--the first war to be fought on a global scale. After nine years of fighting, Britain tossed the French out of North America but now had to scramble to pay off the crushing debt from the war. Britain turned to its colonies for help by imposing one tax after another. The once peaceful thirteen colonies that could never agree on anything, began to unite in their opposition to British rule.
Causes of Revolution
After the French and Indian War 1756-1763 (a.k.a. The Seven Years' War) Britain had dramatically increased its holdings in North America. Unfortunately, the war also left Britain with a debt that could no longer just be paid by the landowners in Britain. In addition, Britain also had to keep control over its new territories in America with more soldiers and administrators—all of which meant spending more money. The British government reasoned that the thirteen British colonies that paid very little in taxes should help finance the peace.
Britain began passing a series of taxes that more than irritated the colonists who, up to this time, had been doing very well without the mother country interfering in its internal affairs. Each new tax was met with resistance until both sides refused to compromise further. Violence escalated until war became inevitable.
The Bloody Massacre on King Street
The Boston Massacre took place on March 5, 1770. This engraving by silversmith Paul Revere depicted the British soldiers deliberately firing on an unarmed crowd. This piece of propaganda worked well to inflame anti-British feelings in the colonies.
