Why do we have to pay taxes? You are taking away our rights!!
britain taxes the colonists
After the French and Indian War. Britain went into huge debt. To pay up the debts. The British taxed the colonists because they believed that the colonists should pay a share of their cost in defenses. They taxed them with acts such as the Sugar and Stamp Act. This caused tension between Britain and the colonists believed that their rights were being taken away by the Parliament.
You need to pay for the cost of your defenses
colonists adopt non-important agreements
Due to the taxes, colonists were angry. To show their resentment, they adopted non-importation agreements against British goods. Non-importation agreements were agreements on not buying items imported from Britain. This impacted Britain's economy severely as American colonists mainly bought from them.
Why are the colonists not buying any of our stuff?
Townshend acts and the boston massacre
Come at us!
Come on! We're not scared of you!
Are you scared?Attack us,I dare you!
A year later, the Townshend Acts were passed. Colonists tried to rebel against this act but failed. Therefore, because of the tea tax, the tension between Britain and the colonists increased. This tension led up to the Boston Massacre in March, 1770. A crowd of townspeople taunted the red coats, angering them. A gunshot was heard and then the red coats opened fire, killing 11 citizens.