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The conflict between France and Britain over North American colonies left Britain deeply indebted. In order to cover the expenses, Britain levied taxes on the colonies, which stoked discontent and the perception that they were being unjustly taxed without representation

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After the French and Indian War, Britain prohibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains to avoid conflicts with Native Americans. Colonists felt this limited their freedom and opportunities.

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Because of this statute, colonists had to pay taxes on all printed materials they used, such as newspapers, licenses, and legal documents. The subsequent mass demonstrations and rioting showed how the colonies were becoming more and more opposed to British authority and demanding representation

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These laws levied taxes on tea, glass, and paper imports. Boycotts and increased smuggling were part of the colonial response, which raised tensions and resulted in the British soldiers stationed in Boston.

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British soldiers killed five colonists during a confrontation in Boston. This event was used as a propaganda tool by colonial leaders to fuel anti-British sentiments and unite the colonies against British oppression

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In protest against the Tea Act, which granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales, colonists dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This act of defiance led to harsh punitive measures from Britain, known as the Intolerable Acts

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These acts were designed to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. They included closing Boston Harbor and revoking the Massachusetts Charter. These measures united the colonies in opposition to what they saw as a direct threat to their autonomy

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Delegates from 12 colonies met to coordinate a response to the Intolerable Acts. This congress marked a significant step towards colonial unity and resistance against British rule

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The Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775)

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The Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775)

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These first military engagements of the Revolutionary War marked the beginning of open conflict between the colonies and Britain. The battles demonstrated the colonies’ willingness to fight for their rights

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Adopted on July 4, 1776, this document formally declared the colonies’ independence from Britain and outlined their grievances against King George III. It was a bold statement of the colonies’ intent to form a new nation