1. American Revolution

2. Stamp Act
Laws made in Britain were enforced in the American colonies by a governor who represented the British King.
The American colonists were not allowed to elect an MP to the British parliament so they had no one to argue on their behalf.

3. Raw materials
The colonies were a great source of raw materials for Britain.
Sugar beat
Tobacco
Cotton
Britain needed these raw materials and so they needed the 13 colonies and protected them for their own use.

4. French Indian wars Also known as the seven years war.
The French fought against the English for control of the colonies.
Native Indians fought with the French.
The British won.

5. King George III The war had cost a lot of money.
King George III believed that the 13 colonies should pay for the cost of the war.
He decided on a form of taxation to make the colonists pay.
This was called the Stamp Act.
All legal documents had to be stamped and this cost money (Tax)

6. No taxation without representation
The colonists felt that the tax was unfair.
They wanted the colonies to be represented in the British parliament.
A group called Sons of liberty was formed.
They held demonstrations and attacked British officials and burnt their stamps.