Growing tension between Britain and the American colonies, to 1774

After the Seven Years’ War (1756–63), Britain sought to centralise imperial control over its American colonies.
The Proclamation of 1763 restricted colonial expansion westwards, protecting indigenous tribes but upsetting wealthy colonists with western land interests.
Sugar Act of 1764 was imposed to offset war debts, introducing new customs duties on non-British goods and reducing the sugar import tax, which detrimentally affected colonial trade.

Enacted in 1765, the Stamp Act imposed a direct tax on colonists for the first time, affecting all printed materials. Strong opposition led to its repeal in 1766.
The Declaratory Act (1766) asserted British sovereignty over the colonies, including the right to make laws and impose taxation.

The notion of “no taxation without representation” was central to the colonial critique of British policies. Many believed they were unfairly taxed without having parliamentary representation.
Opposition to British policies led to the formation of various colonial groups like the Sons of Liberty who frequently used violent methods to show dissent.
Colonial assemblies such as the Virginia House of Burgesses protested against British policies while advocating for colonial rights and self-government.

Townshend Acts (1767) instituted new taxes on goods imported into the colonies, leading to further outrage and the boycott of British goods.
The Boston Massacre (1770) was a significant incident, where British soldiers killed five colonists during a confrontation, stirring up anti-British sentiment.
In 1773, the Tea Act, granting the financially struggling East India Company a monopoly over tea sales in America, led to the symbolic Boston Tea Party protest.

In response to the Boston Tea Party, Britain imposed the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts (1774) shutting down Boston’s port and revoking the Massachusetts Charter.
The First Continental Congress assembled in 1774, representing 12 of the 13 colonies, marking the first attempt at a united colonial response to British actions.
By 1774, tensions between Britain and the American colonies were at boiling point, sowing the seeds for the forthcoming American Revolution.