The Revolutionary War: The Dubbed Of The American Revolution

Eighteenth century was some of the worst times for the American Colonies due to the heavy taxations and excessive regulations imposed by the British parliament. Great Britain used the settlements as a source of income to aid in economic recovery after the Seven Years War. Since the late 1600s Great Britain and France have been at war, with most battles occurring overseas in Europe (Keene 87). The proximity of French and British colonies in the northern frontier, as well as the desire for land and power, motivated the start of war. Dubbed the French and Indian War by the colonist, the conflict lasted from 1756 to 1763, ending with the first Treaty of Paris (Keene 90). The treaty gave Britain supreme control of North America, however the Proclamation …show more content…
The taxes paired with the mercantile nature of parliament prompted the nonimportation movement, a boycott of imported British goods. Women were forefront of the movement, creating homespun clothing and fabrics. Britain saw the protests and rebellions, and deployed additional soldiers to “guard royal offices and arrest violent rebels” (Dockswell 27). Massachusetts was a hotbed of colonial rebellion, so when parliament sent reinforcements to Boston, tensions rose between colonists and redcoats. The stationed soldiers were often harassed by colonists. Then in March 5, 1770, a large group of angry colonists assaulted a group of soldiers. In self-defense, the soldiers fired at the crowd, killing 5 people. Propagandists, Paul Revere, named this event “The Boston Massacre” to increase moral among colonists to protest the British rule; however, John Adams, a talented lawyer volunteered to defend the soldiers. Though Adams was against British policy, he defended the men to show that Americans were an advanced society of law abiding citizens (Keene …show more content…
Just a few months after this, the Second Continental Congress took place. Considered to be the first government of the United States, the representative established a Continental Army, voted for and drafted the Declaration of Independence, assigned diplomats, and signed treaties with France and Spain (Dockswell 40). Britain countered with the Prohibitory Act, which blocked American Trade, seized ports, captured American ships out at sea, and declared war with the colonies. Fighting lasted until 1781, and the second Treaty of Paris declared the colonies separated from Britain. The events leading up to, and the revolution itself shows that in the face of tyranny, a nation bands together for the greater