Events Leading to American independence

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Coercive Acts/Intolerable Acts (1774)They were harsh actions that were made to keep the colonists in check. The Coercive Acts did not make the colonists very happy. The Coercive Acts included: closing Boston Harbor and they made them pay for the tea that they dumped in the harbor. They also reminded them of the quartering act which forced colonists to give British soldiers a home and a hot meal when they wanted. The last action they did was removed all town meetings they have. These actions made the colonists turn against Britain even more.Continental Congress (1774)They first met in Philadelphia. They had 56 delegates for the continental congress. Every colony besides Georgia sent delegates. They discussed how to get a good militia. They discussed what to boycott and what was going to be in the Statement of Grievances. They did not know that there would be a Second Continental Congress. Second Continental Congress (1775)They held their first meeting on May 10, 1775. All 13 colonies sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. They authorized the printing of money. The Second Continental Congress set up the very first post office. The Continental Congress created the continental army which helped make the colonies win. The Continental Congress was a key part of the war that was to come.The Boston Massacre (1770)The redcoats over reacted when the colonists were throwing snowballs and other harmless items. The Colonists were taunting the redcoats. The redcoats thought that a riot was starting. Paul Revere, being a silver smith used this to his advantage. He engraved the image of the Boston massacre into silver and used that as propaganda. They used this to gain support of the colonists. There were 8 killed colonists.Taxes to Pay for War Debt (1764) Britain first decided that they wanted to help the colonists and pay for the war that was between them and the French. They won the French and Indian War. After the war Britain decided to raise the taxes by a lot. This was one of the many catalysts of the Declaring Independence from Britain. This made even more people join the side with the colonists because of the tax raises. They all wanted the taxes repealed. So they boycotted buying all foods that had a big tax on them. They even boycotted some of the very simple everyday life foods that you must have. They added many other taxes for Tea that was raised in tax by double.

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