“No taxation without representation!”
-James Otis-
The American Revolution was largely due to taxes and duties imposed by the British Parliament to pay the debt caused by the 7 Years’ War. The British Parliament wanted more revenue from the colonies for defending the 13 colonies in the war. Thus, the parliament began imposing several heavy taxes upon the colonies. The video underscores several acts charged by the British Parliament such as the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Declaratory Act and the Townshend Acts. Colonial opposition grew as the bond colonies infracted the British Parliament’s laws and policies. Phrases such as ‘No taxation without representation’ prospered as an anti-British propaganda. Ultimately, Common Sense by Thomas Paine served as a legendary propaganda which argued independence for the American colonies from Britain. As the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies gained constitutional liberal democracy. From 13 colonies in the 1750s, there are now 50 states in the United States of America.
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Link to Declaration of Independence Image