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Implementation of Mercantilism as an Economic System
Mercantilism was implemented in order to maximize the wealth of Britain. It basically means that the wealth of the nation is dependent on the amount of gold and silver inside the country. The fixation on it after the Seven Year's War probably came partially from the massive amount of debt that Britain was in because of the war. Mercantilism made the colonies feel used and caused considerable resentment. -
Seven Year's War
This war fought throughout the world was caused by tensions between the French and British colonists in the New World. Several smaller wars between the two sides had occurred previously. The British, under the leadership of William Pitt, emerged victorious. This war caused increased tensions between British colonists and the mother country because of involvement by Britain that had not previously occurred. -
George Grenville Orders Navigation Laws to be Strongly Enforced
Before this, the Navigation Laws were in place but not strictly enforced. George Grenville came along changed that. This made the colonies unhappy because they were happy to do mostly their own thing with all of the benefits that Britain had to offer. These laws were used to enforce taxes and regulate trade in the colonies. This was control that the colonies resented. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act implemented taxes on sugar coming from the West Indies. The passing of the Sugar Act signified the first time that the crown had put a law into effect in the colonies to raise money for the crown. The colonists were outraged, and the taxes did get lowered. This act just helped add to the anger building in the colonies. -
Quartering Act and the Stamp Act
Following the Sugar Act, the Quartering Act had select colonies providing for the British military residing there. The Stamp Act was also passed that required many different documents to have stamps on them that showed that the tax had been paid. The colonists saw this as an encroachment upon their liberty. -
Declaratory Act
Because of nonimportation agreements, Parliament had just repealed the Stamp Act. It now passed the Declaratory Act that stated the crown's right to absolute power over the colonies. It was pretty clear at this point that the colonies wanted some degree of autonomy, but the British government was clearly not going to have any of that. This continued to raise resentment in the colonies toward the mother country. -
Townshend Acts
These acts were passed by Parliament at Charles Townshend's urging. They increased the tax just a little on items including white lead, paper, and tea. The tax could be paid at American ports; it was made this way to hopefully keep the colonists peaceful. The ploy was not successful; the colonists were particularly unhappy about the tax on tea because of the mass consumption of the beverage. -
Intolerable Acts and the Quebec Act
The Intolerable Acts were passed in response to the Boston Tea Party. They put regulations on the New England town meeting and revoked rights given to Massachusetts from the outset. The Quebec Act came with the Intolerable Acts but for different reasons. It allowed the French their religion, their jury-less trials, and some new land. This upset people with eyes on the land as well as people concerned for their liberty. People who were anti-Catholic were also upset about the act. -
First Continental Congress's Petitions Rejected
The First Continental Congress developed The Association which called for total boycott. The delegates were not demanding their independence; they just wanted to get Parliament to revoke the Intolerable Acts. Parliament didn't concede to their demands, arousing much frustration and tension. -
Lexington and Concord
British soldiers went to Lexington to take control of some gunpowder and some rebellious leaders. After the battle at Lexington, where eight Americans were killed and more wounded, Concord was ready for the British onslaught. The militiamen fought strategically from behind objects and caused the British to retreat with three hundred casualties and around seventy killed.This was the start of the war.
