Based on your research, why did the colonists end up declaring their independence from Britain? Trace the series of events, from the French and Indian War to the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Include details of at least four events in a paragraph of five to seven sentences.

Answer 1

The road to independence for the American colonists was shaped by a combination of events following the French and Indian War, which ended in 1763 and left Britain with a substantial debt, prompting increased taxation on the colonies. The imposition of the Stamp Act in 1765 exemplified British attempts to raise revenue, leading to widespread protest and the formation of groups like the Sons of Liberty. The subsequent repeal of the Stamp Act did little to quell tensions, and the introduction of the Townshend Acts in 1767, which taxed everyday items like tea, further fueled resentment. The Boston Massacre in 1770, where British soldiers killed five colonists amidst growing unrest, became a rallying point for anti-British sentiment. The situation escalated with the Boston Tea Party in 1773, where colonists protested against the tea tax by dumping British tea into Boston Harbor. In response, the British enacted the Intolerable Acts, which harshly punished Massachusetts and united the colonies against perceived tyranny. The culmination of these events erupted in April 1775, when the Battles of Lexington and Concord ignited open conflict, marking the definitive break between the colonies and Britain and setting the stage for the Declaration of Independence.