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The Birth of the Nation The four main events that led in inspiring the colonies to revolt against England were the Townshend acts, the formation of the Colonial Assemblies, the Boston Massacre, and the Intolerable acts. These four events were not the only reasons the Revolution started, but were the deciding factors. Thought the colonists were given some rights, they were pushed over the edge by the British Government. I believe with out one event along the line, the Revolution would not have taken place. In March of 1766, a good ten years before freedom from England, the stamp act was repealed which called for a direct tax on all goods being sold with in the colonies.
In lieu of this repeal, a new revenue law was passed called the Townshend acts. These were an indirect tax on all goods being imported into the colonies. IN spite of this new law, the colonists reacted with rage and formed a well organized resistance. A new phrase came about stating No taxation with out representation. This phrase became very important in the start of revolution and the making of America.
Colonists boycotted all British luxury goods such as feathers, furs, rich satins, and capes. Tea, which was raised by 3 cents because of the townshend acts was also boycotted. British wives traded recipes of tea made from bark and sage. At the time, tea was the most popular drink at the time.
In June of 1768, British agents seized a boat coming into boston which contained wine smuggled from Madeira. The boat was owned by John Hancock who had failed to pay the custom tax. A riot broke out between colonists and British troops stationed in Boston. There was one soldier for every four citizens. This show of force led colonists one step closer to revolution. Towards the end of 17 66, the colonists were starting to grow weary of the restrictions the stamp act put on them.
A 29 year old named Patrick Henry started the Colonial Assemblies. In October of 1765, delegates from 9 colonies met in New York to issue a Declaration of Grievances which stated the colonists did not have enough representation in Parliament. For the first time the separate colonists began to act as one. This was a big step because when the colonists showed strength it meant trouble for the Brits. They also started a boycott of goods. This hurt England because 40 % of British Goods were bought in the colonies.
This boycott of goods really hurt England's economy and in March of 1766, the stamp act was repealed. This showed the strength of the colonies and how much they could do. This event told the parliament that they were not going to sit down and let liberty pass them by. An insuring argument between colonists and under payed British Soldiers over jobs in a local ship yard for extra money on off-duty hours led to disaster.
On the chili morning of March 5, 1770, a fist fight broke out over jobs. Later that evening a mob formed outside of the customs house were taunting the guards when a man named Crispus Attucks and four of his friends from the shipyard showed up. The soldiers shot Crispus and his four buddies leaving them for dead. Samuel Adams quickly labeled this event as the Boston Massacre. This angered Massachusetts colonists more then anything.
Things settled down in the next few years. A man named Lord Frederick North who was a new minister convinced Parliament to repeal the Townshend acts except for the Tea. He proved that the Act was hurting England more then it was helping them. However in 1772, tensions rose again after a group of Rhode Island colonists attacked a British Customs Schooner that was patrolling the shore for smugglers.
The colonists snuck aboard and burned the ship down to ashes. Furiated, King George sent out a group of soldiers to find the guilty party and bring them to trial.
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Research essay sample on Townshend Acts Boston Massacre
