The Most Influential Events in US History Leading to the American Revolution

 There were many influential events in history which led to the American Revolution and birth of our country, it is impossible to choose only a single event. However, some had greater impacts than others. Those included different acts opposed by the British, many different documents and written pieces, and many events and incidents, which all led to the decline and birth of the US. 

The Tea Acts/Boston Tea Party and Stamp Act were both acts in which unfair rules were placed upon the colonists, and declined the relationship between the two parties. The Stamp Act was one of the first out of many to be placed to tax the colonists for basic, everyday items. According to Document C, “An act for granting and applying certain stamp duties…in the British colonies and plantation in America, towards defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same.” This act, like all others, angered the colonists, making them feel as if their freedom and life were dedicated to helping the British live better lives. As stated as an attempt to earn extra money to help with British safety and security, it is clear how the British are taking advantage of the colonists, and almost relying on them to pay for their own expenses. Due to this, colonists protested against the laws, saying that they were being taxed without their consent, creating more tensions between the colonist and British parties. On the other hand, the British government felt the colonists were not obeying the laws they had set as much as they wanted them to, which then led to them setting more in place in order to get the result they wanted. One of the next acts they enforced following the Stamp Act was the Tea Act, which then led to the Boston Tea Party from the colonists. According to Document D, “The Tea Act was the final straw in a series of unpopular policies and taxes imposed by Britain on her American colonies.” Not only does this show what angered the colonists so much it resulted in the Boston tea party, but also how the rising tensions between the two finally ended after the colonists (the targeted) finally had enough. As mentioned as “the final straw,” this shows a repeating pattern of the British unfairly taxing and setting laws which the colonists are then forced to follow. The Tea party was a protest against everything the British had done to the colonists, as they were finally fed up and realized the power they had. Obviously, the British were angered at the colonists for performing such acts, which had a large contribution to the revolution and birth of America. Both the Tea Act/Tea Party and Stamp Act had roles in contributing to the decline of the relationship between Britain and the colonies.

Some documents such as the Declaration of Independence and Common Sense booklet were written with the purpose of separating the colonists from Britain’s unlawful ruling. The Declaration of Independence was the document which signaled the end of Britain's ruling against the U.S., and took off their freedom. According to Document K, “Jefferson’s words echo down through the decades of American life until the present day. Phrases Like “ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL,” “unalienable rights,” and “life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness”…” Jefferson’s words in the declaration show how him and many other parties were leaning towards wanting to drift away from the British, as they repeatedly implied unfair laws, taxes, and did not give the Colonists an equal amount of power. Similar to how women acted when fighting for equal rights, stating the obvious of how all humans should have equal power, despite any differences. The colonists rightfully argued and protested against the unfair treatment the British gave them. Over time, things slowly started to evolve, and the colonists realized their potential and what they could do to get back at the British. Jefferson and his party's words spread to other colonists, which led to a decline in the relationship between the colonists and Great Britain. “Common Sense” was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, which was an attempt to lead the colonists away from the British and their ruling. According to Document J, “In England a King hath little more to do than to make war and give away places; which in plain terms…” This not only shows the anger Paine and other colonists were facing towards the British, but also how unfair rules were. Just like written in the declaration, the English set unfair rules upon the colonists, and used them for fighting wars and getting weapons. As England was in charge and the two groups merged, it supported their economical factors, pushing the British into the lead in front of other countries. The English could have worked on other aspects of their country, rather than controlling the colonists and forcing them into war and into new places. The common sense booklet helped transform most colonist’s current view of England, and forced them to realize what tyranny they were being put through. Both the Declaration of independence and Common Sense pamphlet allowed for the birth of America by decreasing the relationship between the colonists and the British.

Last but not least, battles and fight-incidents had a huge impact on the relationship between the colonists and Britain, creating unnecessary drama between both parties. The Boston Massacre and Battles of Lexington and Concord are both examples with that exact outcome. According to Document B, The Boston Massacre, “...the Captain commanded them to fire; and more snowballs coming, he again said, damn you, fire, be the consequence what it will!” Due to the already rising tensions between the colonists and British, the Boston Massacre only weakened their relationship. Once the two parties “met up” and attempted to discuss their current situation, the British captain got violent, and ended up as a huge, violent event. Similar to some situations to date, when two (groups of) people finally meet after having conflict with their relationship, the result is not always kind. The British did not care for the colonists' words and side, and instead chose violence over peace. The Battles of Lexington and Concord was the “kick off” battle to the American Revolutionary war between the Colonists and British. “The British conducted a running fight until they could get under the cover of British guns in ships anchored in the waterways surrounding Boston,” (Document L). Again started by the British troops, their invasion into U.S. territory was not the prettiest. After many, many small battles and incidents between the two, both had enough of each other's' 'personalities” and life, creating a stronger rivalry than ever. Also, being the start of the American Revolution, along with all of the relationship troubles, many political problems came into place, the U.S. creating their founding document for their soon to be free country. All mutual-allying feelings for each other had disappeared, having both militaries fighting for all possible life. This signified the end of the colonist-British era. The Boston Massacre event and Battles of Lexington and Concord were some of the largest factors to the downfall of their relationship with each other.

There were many causes which eventually led to the American Revolution, yet certain acts, documents, and events had a greater impact in declining the relationship between the colonists and Great Britain than others.