Colonial Rebellion Against British Taxation

Britain basically let the American colonies do their own thing for years, as long as the money

kept flowing. This "salutary neglect" all changed after the French and Indian War left Britain

with a massive bill. To pay for it, they started hitting the colonies with taxes like the Stamp

Act. The colonists were furious, arguing "no taxation without representation!"

since they had no voice in Parliament. Things escalated fast. First,

the Boston Massacre, then colonists dumped tea into the harbor during the Boston Tea Party.

Britain retaliated with the Intolerable Acts, shutting down Boston’s government.

That was the final straw.