Towards Independence
The American Revolution Events
My Opinion: Loyalist, Patriot, or Neutralist
I am a patriot. I feel we shouldn't be controlled by the King. We should have our own opinions and be able to move wherever we want. We shouldn't have to pay taxes or overpriced tea or paper. We are Americans and should not be under British rule. We want our own freedom and I feel everyone should be involved in creating laws.
The Boston Massacre
On a cold winter day in Boston, a mob broke out between soldiers and colonists. The Bostonians were annoyed because King George lll had sent soldiers to Boston to keep the colonists in order. The colonists were throwing ice at the soldiers. A soldier was knocked down to the ground and the soldiers fired back in self-defense. five soldiers and one American were killed. American Patriot John Adams saw the soldiers acting in self-defense and thought everyone should have rights to a fair trial. Adams agreed to defend the soldiers in court and the jury found six soldiers not guilty. Only two were found guilty for manslaughter, which means causing death without meaning to.
The Stamp Act
When King George realized he needed money to pay off debts from the French and Indian war, he started taxing Americans for every stamp they used. A stamp also had to be used for every paper they used including playing cards. The colonists reacted by attacking tax collectors homes and refusing to buy stamps. They had no representatives in parliament so they had no say about the tax in the colonies. After months of anger and protest from the colonists, parliament repealed the stamp act. Once again, protest leads American colonists one step closer to Independence.
The Quartering Act
Parliament passed a law stating colonists had to let soldiers into their homes, let them sleep there, and feed them. The colonists were not happy about this and mostly because the food and water they had to provide for soldiers cost money. But then in 1767 the New York assembly decided to not approve funds for "salt, vinegar, and liquor" for the soldiers. Parliament in Britain was angry about this and decided to not let the New York assembly meet again until they obeyed the Quartering act. This then made both sides mad.