The History of~The American Revolution (Part 1: Prelude to War)

It was a rebellion like no other, not only did the American Revolution bring about a brand new nation that is not run by a Monarchy, but also to bring a new age in our world where Monarchs would begin to lose their luster.

This is part 1 of the 6-Part Wiki series of the American Revolution. In this page, we will talk about the events that led up to the Revolution.

## Prelude to War

After the French and Indian war ended, the French had to give up a lot of its territory in America, meaning that Britain would get a lot more land (before the war, Britain was hugging the Eastern Seaboard) up to the Mississippi River.

But Britain's victory in the war came at a cost (literally), they spent too much money on the war, and now it was in a huge debt.

Britain, now desperate for money, tries to look around to get itself out of debt. They look to their colonies on the East Coast of America, but the colonists that live there knowing that the British won the war, felt that there was no need for British occupation or protection. So, the colonists initially refused to give Britain money.

In financial ruin, and desperate for money, the British royal family (namely King George the 3rd) decide to come up with a series of taxes on the colonists. They would tax everything shipped into the American colonies from Sugar to Tea.

### Stamp Act

On March 22, 1765, King George would make and then pass what is known as the Stamp Act, where almost everything would have a tax on it. If the person is willing to pay for the tax, they will receive a stamp, written documents such as marriage licenses, mortgages, Newspapers, magazines, even Playing Cards would be stamped. This wasn't a popular tax act because the colonists did not have a stake in this act, and this Stamp Act (which would be repealed in 1766) is one of the acts that would lead to an eventual revolution in America.

### Boston Massacre

American cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Boston were occupied by the British to keep up with interests within the colonies.

The British soldiers didn't just patrol the streets either, they also went into people's homes and workplaces, and they basically did........whatever they want. Again this was without the consent of the colonists, especially now that the colonists didn't feel the need for a military occupation with the French and Indian War over.

Eventually, on March 5, 1770, a group of angry Bostonians (angry with the unfair taxation and the British Occupation) came to protest against the British soldiers, and when they were enough protesters, they got a bit violent as they threw garbage, stones, snowballs, and even oyster shells. Though, their initial orders to "non-violently" suppress this protest, but when a shot rang out all of a sudden (it's still debatable who fired the first shot) eventually all of the soldiers shot at the protesters which left around 5 of the protesters dead, and 6 wounded.

### Pine Tree Riot

It wasn't just unfair taxation and military occupation of cities. The British also wanted to hold the Lion's Share of some of America's commodities, one of which is wood. as it was very profitable in 18th Century America and Europe as they are crucial to build new houses and ships. King George decreed that the best wood in America is exclusive to him and his British comrades, he made a law saying that every Lumber Company owner in America must set aside the best quality wood for British ships and to use in Britain, the Colonists weren't allowed to touch the best quality wood, under any circumstances.

However, there would be one man, a Lumber Company owner who would defy this law, and even add fuel to the already growing revolution; his name was Ebenezer Mugett.

Mugett owned his own Lumber Company and became one of Colonial America's most successful Entrepreneurs. Soon, for his business he began to sell America's top quality wood (supposedly left only for the British) to colonists.

On April 13, 1772, a local sheriff named Benjamin Whiting came to Mugett with an arrest warrant from King George himself, the charge was stealing the best quality wood. Early the next morning, Mugett and several other men went to what was known as the Pine Tree Tavern where Whiting was sleeping. They woke up Whiting, restrained him and beat him, the amount of hits Whiting received was the same amount of wood Mugett was charged with stealing.

### Boston Tea Party

On May 10, 1773, King George then passed the "Biritsh Tea Act" where there would be a tax for all imported Tea coming into America. The Problem is (again), the colonists had to pay it..........because their British occupiers said so. "Again", the colonists had no say on this new tax legislation, and "again" this got the colonists very angry.

On December 16, (still in 1773), a group of members of an organization called "The Sons of Liberty" disguised themselves as Native Americans and raided a nearby ship, and dumped all of the Tea on board, in the end these men would dump around (adjusted for inflation) $1,000,000 worth of Tea.

This would also force King George and the British Parliament to make up the "Intolerable Acts" law where British Soldiers had the authority to suppress revolt anywhere in the colonies with violent force.

### Forbidden Colonization

As an agreement from many Native American Tribes aiding the British during the French and Indian War, the British left the Native Americans to their own devices and allowed them to keep their own lands. In turn, they made it illegal for the colonists to expand into the western regions, namely west of the Appalachian Mountains This would be met with distaste by the colonists who want to move out west.

Getting sick and tired of the British making up all the rules and being expected to "shut up and comply". The Colonists are now wanting to take up arms and fight the British and force them out of the American continent. A Revolution was about to begin.

If you wish to continue reading, you can click here. In the next part, we will talk about the first battles between the British and the Americans, and how the Colonists have given birth to their own Nation; The United States of America. Until next time, this is JohnnyOTGS signing out.