1. Beginnings Of American Government
Part II

2. Road to Revolution
Various factors led up to the Declaration of Independence

3. French-Indian War
War between England and France carried over to English and French colonies in the Americas
England won, and effectively shrunk French influence on the Eastern American seaboard

4. However…
The war was VERY expensive
How to pay for it?

5. Taxation!
Parliament imposed various acts to help pay off the war debt, at home AND in the colonies
In England, this seemed logical, as the war was expensive and for the colonist’s benefit
More so because the colonists paid fewer taxes than British citizens at home

6. Taxation Continued Sugar Act - 1764 Stamp Act - 1765
Taxed molasses
Indirect tax - price added to tax
Like Michigan’s sales tax
Stamp Act
Taxed revenue stamped paper
Required for legal or business documents
Both these Acts led to the…

7. Declaratory Act Declaratory Act - 1766 Repealed Stamp Act BUT
Parliament reasserted its right to make laws for the American Colonies directly

8. Resistance Many of these acts were undercut or ignored
Boston Massacre
British soldiers enforcing the Townshend Acts were targeted by Boston citizens
Fired on the crowd of protestors
Boston Tea Party
Led to the…

9. Intolerable Acts Five Act series Examples
Four in response to Boston Tea Party
Examples
Closed port of Boston until Tea Party Damages paid for
Infringed on right to free elections

10. All together, these events paved the way for the Declaration of Independence