In 1773 British introduced a TEA ACT that banned Americans from buying tea from any other source except the British East India Company. In 1773 British introduced a TEA ACT that banned Americans from buying tea from any other source except the British East India Company. The Americans saw this as yet another means of taxing them without representation. The Americans saw this as yet another means of taxing them without representation. Angry and frustrated at a new tax on tea, Americans, disguised as Mohawk Native Americans, boarded three British ships and dumped 342 whole crates of British tea into sea on December 16, 1773 Angry and frustrated at a new tax on tea, Americans, disguised as Mohawk Native Americans, boarded three British ships and dumped 342 whole crates of British tea into sea on December 16, 1773 The 342 containers totaled 90,000 pounds of tea! In today's money that would be around a million dollars in tea. The 342 containers totaled 90,000 pounds of tea! In today's money that would be around a million dollars in tea. Similar incidents occurred in other states like New York in the next few months, and British tea was eventually boycotted by Americans Similar incidents occurred in other states like New York in the next few months, and British tea was eventually boycotted by Americans

The British responded with a series of new laws. The British responded with a series of new laws. These laws banned all town meetings. These laws banned all town meetings. It closed the Boston port until the price of the dumped tea was recovered. It closed the Boston port until the price of the dumped tea was recovered. It moved the capital of Massachusetts from Boston to Salem. It moved the capital of Massachusetts from Boston to Salem. This further angered the Americans who called these laws the ‘INTOLERABLE ACTS’. This further angered the Americans who called these laws the ‘INTOLERABLE ACTS’. In September 56 delegates from 12 colonies met: FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS – they wanted war with the British In September 56 delegates from 12 colonies met: FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS – they wanted war with the British

In 1775 the British troops occupied Boston and began to march to Concord because it was an arms depot. This meant that the Americans had stockpiled weapons there. In 1775 the British troops occupied Boston and began to march to Concord because it was an arms depot. This meant that the Americans had stockpiled weapons there. A patriot by the name PAUL REVERE rode to warn the Americans that British were coming! A patriot by the name PAUL REVERE rode to warn the Americans that British were coming! By the time the Redcoats got to Concord, the Americans were waiting for them in force. The weapons depot was saved, and the British were forced to retreat. By the time the Redcoats got to Concord, the Americans were waiting for them in force. The weapons depot was saved, and the British were forced to retreat. This was the beginning of the American War of Independence. This was the beginning of the American War of Independence.

The British responded with heavy artillery attempting to capture New York. The British responded with heavy artillery attempting to capture New York. Americans suffered a drawback but France intervened giving them supplies and money. Americans suffered a drawback but France intervened giving them supplies and money. Americans defeated the British General in Saratoga and captured his army. Americans defeated the British General in Saratoga and captured his army. Battles continued in South but with combine weight of French and American soldiers, British had no chance. Battles continued in South but with combine weight of French and American soldiers, British had no chance. On October 19, 1781, Lord Cornwallis surrendered his army to American General George Washington. On October 19, 1781, Lord Cornwallis surrendered his army to American General George Washington.

The Treaty of Paris and the Independence of America Following the defeat of Lord Cornwallis on October, 19, 1781 by American General George Washington, negotiations between America and Britain began. Following the defeat of Lord Cornwallis on October, 19, 1781 by American General George Washington, negotiations between America and Britain began. The negotiations resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which granted America self rule. The negotiations resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which granted America self rule. America had won its war of independence. America had won its war of independence.