In 1776, the United States achieved its independence by signing a declaration, on July 4, that freed the 13 colonies from English rule. England defeated France in the Seven Years' War (1756 – 1763), but, given the high costs of maintaining the conquered territories, it imposed a series of tributes on the American colony. Among them the Sugar Law (collection of taxes on sugar that did not originate in the English Antilles), the Stamp Law (all documents originating in the colony, such as contracts, newspapers and offices, would receive a seal of the English crown) and the Tea Law (the settlers could only buy tea, at that time monopolized by the East India Company, from merchants English). In the face of all these laws, revolts arose. One of them, against the Tea Law, was the “Boston tea party”.
Mind Map: American Revolution
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After England imposed the new taxes, the colonists reacted. They boycotted the “Townshend Act” (which prevented the Americans from negotiating with countries other than England), which further aggravated the situation. In 1773, American settlers, disguised as Indians, mingled with dockworkers in Boston, and dumped the entire shipment of India Company tea (45 tons) overboard. This boycott was organized by the pro-independence group entitled “The Children of Liberty”. After the boycott, the British government severely punished the inhabitants of Boston, closing the city's port and giving the military the right to occupy civilian homes.
In 1765 the secret association “Sons of Liberty” was founded. Formed by artisans, merchants, lawyers and journalists, the group, originated in repudiation of the Stamp Law, was one of those responsible for the process of American independence. Among its militants were Samuel Adams and John Hancook, wanted by the English authorities. When their arrests were decreed, the settlers reacted, resulting in a violent confrontation with British troops. As a result, 93 colonists and 273 English were slaughtered. After this confrontation, the situation got out of control and only stabilized with the declaration of independence of the United States of America.
By Demercino Junior
Graduated in History
*Mental Map by Daniel Neves
Graduated in History
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/guerras/a-festa-cha-boston.htm
