Proclamation Of 1763 Analysis

By the 1700s, Britain had established many colonies in North America. The colonists were considered British citizens and followed the rules of the king despite lacking direct representation in Parliament. The colonies existed for the sole benefit of Britain; therefore, Britain wanted strict control over the colonies and their trade. Colonists began to question this policy during the Enlightenment because of the strong influence of the philosopher John Locke and his belief in the natural rights of life, liberty and property. Later, tensions began to strengthen after the French and Indian War. The French and Indian War was the colonial part of Europe’s Seven Year’s War, and it marked the beginning of the colonists’ resentment towards England. During the war, British officers complained about the colonial troops’ attitudes, and the colonial soldiers complained about the treatment from the British officers. After the war came to an end, the colonists believed they were going to be able to expand with the new land that Britain acquired in the peace treaty. However, the Proclamation of 1763 prevented this from happening by giving this land to the Native Americans. Winning the war also brought a large debt to Great Britain, and they turned to the colonies to pay for it. The Sugar Act of 1764 and the Stamp Act of 1765 were passed
Soon after that, British soldiers fired into a crowd after being harassed. They killed three and wounded many more; this event became known as the “Boston Massacre”. The opposition continued to strengthen on the night of the Boston Tea Party. In response to Parliament’s Tea Act of 1773, colonists dumped tons of tea in the Boston Harbor. To punish the colonists, Britain passed the Coercive Acts which were also known as the Intolerable Acts. These laws closed the Boston Harbor until the tea company was repaid for the tea