Essay On The Differences Between 1763 And 1776

What events taking place between 1763 and 1776 strengthened and deepened colonists' sense of common cause? How did they draw together to resist imperial authority?
Between 1763 and 1776, many events strengthened the colonists’ common cause for protesting Britain and eventually declaring their independence. This includes the many Acts passed by Britain, the formation of different rebellious groups such as the Sons of Liberty and Stamp Act Congress, and the rise of the first political gatherings in which all the 13 colonies participated in without Britain.
To begin, After the French and Indian war Britain was far in debt. To compensate for their economic loss, they began to pass different Acts in which they began taxing the colonists. The first

A shot was fired on either side leading to the death of five colonists. This event became known as the Boston Massacre. This fueled the colonists to continue protesting and eventually led to Britain repealing all taxes in the Tea Act in 1773 except on tea. This was an act for Britain to continue to pay the local government and shows it ultimate power over the colonies. In response to this, the colonists banded together in their common cause and in the night of 1773, the colonists dressed as Mohawk Indians and dumped tea into the Boston Harbor. This became known as the Boston Tea Party. It should also be noted that colonists participated in New York, Charleston, and Philadelphia. Their protests were successful and the East India trading ships could not unload their tea. This only added to the factor of unity against the evil that was Britain and was another successful for the colonies. But as the pattern continues, Britain retaliated by introducing the Intolerable Acts. This stated that there would be a blockade around Boston until the destroyed tea was paid for, and this introduced the Second Quartering Act where colonists had to house British soldiers in their homes. This act also sent 4,000 British soldiers to the colonies to enforce these laws and assert their

This was huge as it was the first time the colonies banded together and attempted reform with their goals aligned without Britain. At this meeting, they requested the king repeal the Intolerable Acts or they would meet again in a year if the king did not reach their demands. As the tension continued, the colonists had their first battle with Britain at Lexington and Concord in April of 1775. This was the first time the colonists were able to raise a makeshift army and fight the British. They consisted of Minute Men who were ready to fight at any given time and who supplied their own weapons. A year later after the first Continental Congress came the Second Continental Congress in October of 1775. Here, the colonists created the Olive Branch petition in order to create a ceasefire for negotiation. King George III replies by sending 20,000 troops and the colonists appoint George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. This was where all the patriots who were on the sidelines about separating from Britain agreed it was time to stop trying to negotiate and begin fighting for their