How Did British Respond To Independence

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British attempts to assert tighter control over its North American colonies and the colonial resolve to pursue self-government led to a colonial independence movement and the Revolutionary War. After the French and Indian war, Great Britain ended its policy of salutary neglect, in which it mostly left its colonies to their own devices. After the war, Britain had many war debts and since much of the war was fought on American soil, the British wanted to collect taxes from the colonies to pay off its debts. To do this, Britian first passed some different acts that increased taxes, such as the Sugar Act of 1764 and the Stamp Act of 1765, and they also passed laws such as the Proclamation Act, which prevented the colonists from encroaching…show more content…
After the Coercive Acts were implemented, all of the colonies (Excluding Georgia) sent representatives to the first Continental Congress. During this meeting, the representatives were trying to figure out a way to piece the relationship between Great Britain and the colonies back together. Furthermore, the representatives endorsed the Suffolk Resolves which stated that the colonists should boycott British goods until the Coercive Acts are repealed. Also, this group formed the Association which helped to coordinate boycotts. However, King George III dismissed this gathering and declared Massachusetts in a state of rebellion which triggered more troops to be sent to the area. In April of 1775, a group of British soldiers left Massachusetts with the intention to seize colonial weapons and arrest Sam Adams and John Hancock. Two men, William Dawes and Paul Revere road ahead of the british and put the local militias, referred to as Minutemen because they could be combat ready at a moments notice, on alert. Ultimately, the British faced off against a local militia at Lexington and someone exchanged fire. This led to the British killing eight militiamen at this site and later the first shot would obtain the infamous title “The shot heard round the

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