Seven Years War Effects

The oppressive actions of the Kingdom of Great Britain towards her colonial subjects after the Seven Years' War lead to open warfare and rebellion in the North American colonies. The relative peace and sanguine tranquility between the crown of the British Empire and its subjects in the American colonies forever changed after the war, down a path where the allegiance and union with the crown was torn asunder. The peace treaty of of Paris in 1763 ended the war, known in North America as the French and Indian War. The result of the treaties gave Britain most of Canada and North America from the French Empire, along with reduced Native American territory.1 The war was won, but at an expensive cost.2 The British, much like the Roman Empire over
However, immediately after that, Parliament saw fit to pass the Declaratory Act of 1766. It reminded the Americans that Parliament has the ability to pass any and all legislation it sees fit. This laid the groundwork for further laws. In 1767, the British introduced the Townshend Acts, named after Charles Townshend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.11 They placed taxes indirectly on glass, paints, lead, paper and tea.12 These good had to be imported from across the Atlantic in Britain. The idea here was to lower expenses on the colonies themselves. The Americans viewed this additional taxation as abusive. By 1770, only the tax on tea remained.13 On March 5th of 1770, a mob taunting a sentry at his post in Boston prompted a full British squad to come to his defense. The mob grew chanting and taunting – in doing so, they began hurling snowballs and other objects. After a series of confusing chants and someone yelling "Fire!" - the squad fired their rifles, and several civilians were killed. Founder and future President John Adams was the only lawyer in Boston willing to represent the British in the trial against a very bias jury. Carefully not antagonizing a jury that likely aligned with the Sons of Liberty. John Adams secured the acquittal for most of the squad in a very persuasive speech that shifted blame to London for sending the troops in the first place.14 The cohesion between
The numerous burdens, the ordeal of the the King's actions, and the afflictions of the British Parliament on the American colonists. The situation could not be controlled anymore and it all it desired was a flint to be lit. During the morning of April 19th, 1775 – British troops left Boston Harbor with the strategic plan to go to the town of Concord and commandeer the munitions stored by the Patriot militiamen.20 The actions of the British regulars were alarmed to the countryside. American silversmith Paul Revere and other riders were warning the local minutemen that the imperial forces were on their way to Concord.21 A report of the battle was issued by John Robbins, who was present at the battle that would soon ignite.22 En route, these units were sighted near the town of Lexington, under the command of a Major John Pitcairn.23 The militia and the regulars were on a collision course. Major Pitcairn, who cried out to the militia "Throw down your arms! Ye Villians, ye rebels". The Americans were led by a Colonel Parker, who at first ordered his men to disperse. This order was followed, but none had thrown down their weapons.24 As John Robbins wrote "Then a shot was fired." - the shot heard 'round the world as it would be known. Robbins wrote on that the British regulars fired their weapons and then charged, with the commanding officers unable to control them. No one knows who fired the first