12.1.4

Causes of the War of Independence 2

Test yourself

The Issue of Tax

The British government wanted to raise taxes in the 13 colonies. This was very unpopular.

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Reason for the taxes

  • Following the Seven Years’ War, Britain was in a lot of debt.
  • Politicians in Britain believed that the American colonies should pay money to support the empire.
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The Stamp Act

  • The Stamp Act was introduced in 1765.
  • This was a tax on certain documents, making them more expensive.
    • This was unpopular and led to riots.
  • The British government cancelled the tax in 1766.
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The Townshend Acts

  • In 1767, the British government introduced more taxes.
  • In 1770, there was a riot against the Townshend Acts.
    • British soldiers killed American protesters in Boston.
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The Tea Duty

  • In 1773, the British government introduced a tax on tea.
  • This was very unpopular and triggered uprisings.
  • Americans wore costumes to look like Native Americans and poured all imported tea into the sea.
  • In response, the government passed the Coercive Acts. No trader was allowed to enter Boston’s port until the city paid for the tea they had destroyed.
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Revolution

  • The Tea Duty is often viewed as the trigger for the American War of Independence.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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