Increased taxation without representation: After the costly French and Indian War, Great Britain imposed various taxes on the colonies without giving them direct representation in the British Parliament. Significant taxes included the Stamp Act (1765), Townshend Acts (1767), and the Tea Act (1773). These measures were seen as unfair as the colonies were subject to taxation but had no say in the decision-making process.
Restrictions on trade and economic policies: Great Britain implemented policies that restricted colonial trade and commerce, favoring British merchants and companies. The Navigation Acts (1651-1696), for instance, required that certain goods could only be imported from or exported to Britain. These limitations imposed economic hardships on the colonists and hindered their growth.
Presence of British troops and policies: Following the Seven Years' War, Britain maintained a standing army in the colonies to maintain order and defend against potential threats. However, the presence of these troops was viewed by many colonists as a symbol of oppression and a constant reminder of British control.
Coercive Acts: After the Boston Tea Party in 1773, the British government responded with a series of laws known as the Coercive Acts, also referred to as the "Intolerable Acts" by the colonists. These measures included the Boston Port Act, the Massachusetts Government Act, the Administration of Justice Act, and the Quebec Act. The acts further limited self-governance, increased British control over the colonies, and outraged the colonists.
Intolerable Acts: In response to the Boston Tea Party of 1773, the British Parliament passed the Coercive Acts, which were seen as particularly harsh and oppressive by the colonists. These acts included the Boston Port Act, which closed the port of Boston until the cost of the tea was repaid, and the Massachusetts Government Act, which restricted local government and increased British control over the colony.
Disregard for colonial charters and self-governance: Great Britain demonstrated disregard for the chartered rights and self-governance of the colonies. The British government had a tendency to override colonial charters, pass laws without colonial consent, and appoint British officials to positions of authority in the colonies, which challenged the colonists' autonomy and their right to govern themselves.
These actions, among others, escalated tensions between Great Britain and the colonies and contributed to the growing sentiment for independence and revolution.