The 7 Year War started in 1756 and came to an end in 1763, the British taking the victory against the French. The 7 years war is known to be one of the greatest causes of the American Revolution because it left the British in a huge amount of debt, which later influenced King George lll to tax the 13 British colonies. These 13 British colonies consisted of Georgia, Virginia, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusettes, Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, and Pennslvania. 

The 7 Years War 

A Set of Unpopular Acts From 1764-1768

There were 3 acts that the British Parliment implemented from 1764 - 1768 onto the 13 British colonies in attempt to gain money back  and they were called the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and the Townshend Acts. These taxes were very unpopular amongst the 13 British Colonists, particularily because they had no representation in the British Parliment. The Sugar Act was taken into action in 1764, and it placed a tax on all sugar and molasses that was coming into the 13 colonies, which also prevented most of the smuggle trade of sugar and molasses from France and the Dutch West Indies into the 13 colonies. The Stamp Act was passed by the British in 1765 and it placed a tax on all government documents, newspapers, playing cards, dice, pamphlets, and almanacs. The Townshend Acts were a set of Acts that were passed in 1767 that placed import duties on a variety of items including paper, lead, oil, glass, tea, and paint. The 13 colonies were enraged and disagreed with all of the Acts placed on them, so they started to boycott items they were getting from Britain. 

Boston "Masscare"

The Boston Masscare was an incident in Boston in 1770 that had initially started off as a protest, but had soon escalated and resulted in the death of 5 colonists. A group of British Loyalists came across patriots who were protesting against the many Acts that were placed on them so the patriots started to throw snowballs at them, and the snowballs soon turned into rocks, so the British Loyalists shot them in a panic, leaving 5 colonists dead. This incident enraged the British colonists even more because now the British were taking lives of their people. This was also possibly be the least "masscary" massacare that has ever taken place!

Tea Problems!

The British loved abusing their power so much that even after the British placed the Stamp Act, Sugar Act, and Townshend Act, they decided to place another Act, but this time on tea. This Act was called the Tea Act and was passed in 1773. The Tea Act forced the 13 colonies to buy their tea from one company, and the colonists despised the new Act becuase they believed that they shouldn't be forced where to buy their tea from, and also becuase they were being taxed without any representation. So, groups of patriots got together on the Boston harbour, broke into a British cargo ship that contained tea, and dumped hundreds of tea chests into the sea. But, King George lll found out about this incident so he sent over 3,000 British troops to Boston meaning Boston was under the direct rule of Britain, compared to the satuary neglect they were under before.  This event is known as the Boston Tea Party and is known to be the first rebellion against the British. They also started to protest for fair representation in the British Parliment, but King George lll ignored them.

Taking a Stance

The British colonists were so fed up with Britain that they decided to take matters into their own hands. Every colony except Georgia sent a total of 56 delegates to Philidelphia in 1774 to discuss their situation on the Acts that were being placed on them. These delegates consisted of some of the colonies finest leaders such as George Washington, John Jay, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and John Dickenson. They discussed possible solutions to thier given situation, and by the end of the meeting they had established the first Continential Congress. They would plan ways to rebel against Britain for implementing sets of very unpopular Acts amongst the British colonies. 

The Start of the American Revolution (1775)

In 1775, the British General Thomas Gage ordered a few hundred British troops to destroy any weapons and ammunition in Concord, from Boston. On their journey to Concord, a American Patriot that goes by the name of Paul Rivere, spotted the army, so he set back to Concord to warn everyone about what was happening, giving them time to prepare. The Patriots set off towards the Loyalists, and they met in Lexington and "the shot heard around the world" marked the beggining of the American Revolution. Not only did the battle of Lexington and Concord end with the American Patriots' winning, but the British started to see the colonies as a threat. The newly formed Continential Congress quickly realized that they would be fighting for a while so they established a Continential Army, and appointed George Washington as the head.

Siege of Fort Ticonderoga

After the American Patriots won the Battle of Lexington and Concord, Benidict Arnold and the Green Mountain boys set off to seige Fort Ticonderoga which was a British building where they stored huge amounts of ammunition, weapons, and artillery. It was a very small-scaled conflict, but it was very important because the American Patriots were victorious and obtained control over an abundant amount of weapons, artillery, and ammunition that was later used by the newly formed Continential Army. 

Olive Branch Petition

The Olive Branch Petition was a last attempt from the 13 colonists to prevent any formal war between them and Britain but only if the British agreed to remove all of the Acts that were put on them.  This petition was adopted by the Second Continential Congress in mid 1775, but when the Olive Branch Petition was sent to King George lll, the King declined. American Patriots saw this as King George lll finally declaring war on them. 

Battle of Quebec 

The Battle of Quebec was a battle between the British Loyalists and the Continential Army that was fought on December 31st 1775, in Quebec. The Continential Army wanted to gain control over Quebec, but it was in the possession of Britain. Both sides fought in the harsh snow for hours, but the British were much more prepared for the battle, ending in a huge loss for the Continential Army. Many significant people from the 13 colonies were killed such as Richard Montgomenry, the one who lead this unsuccessful invasion. This was the first loss for the Continential Army.

Fortification of Dorchester Heights 

The Fortification of Dorchester Heights was lead by General George Washington in the March of 1776. He wanted to get take contol over the small area in South Boston, called Dorchester Heights that was in possetion of the British. As the night fell, General George Washington set up his troops and guns surrounding the British that were on Dorchester Heights. When the sun rose, the British Loyalists' realized their positions were exposed, and that they were doomed. They had no option but to flee, so over 120 ships carried a total of 11,000 British away; a huge victory for the Americans. 

Declaration of Indipendence 

The Declaration of Indipendence was written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, but Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Roger Sherman were also apart of the publication. The Declaration was adopted by the Second Continential Congress on July 4th, 1776. In the Declaration, Thomas Jefferson talked about American independence from Britain, equality amongst all, and that all men are created equal with certain inaliable rights including life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness. Americans weresso happy about this declaration that they started to tear down government buildings, burn British flags, and teae down statues of King George lll. King George lll only saw this as treason, so he sent over 24,000 soldiers and 130 warships to New York to supervise.