Above (Left to right), US currency, created to spite England, The Stamp Act which put a tax on stamps in the colonies, and molasses, which was taxed in the Sugar Act
The sugar and stamp acts
The Sugar Act of 1764 put a British tax on all sugar shipped to and from the America's of foreign origin. It was mostly a failed attempt to control American trade, thought it was a small price of 6-pence per gallon, as many colonists were able to avoid it due to corrupt officials (www.history.org). The Stamp Act however was much more frustrating for the Colonists. Stamps were a form of legal papers, and put on everything from ships to books. It was a relatively small amount (www.history.org) but it enraged the colonists. It was eventually repealed in 1766 (Class Notes).
The declaratory act
Due to the colonists fiery desire for freedom, Parliament decided to revoke the Stamp Act in 1766. But, as to not seem weak and compromising, they passed another act giving power to Parliament to create and enforce any law or act they wished over the colonies (Class Notes).
Below (Left to Right) The Seal of England, the Declaratory Act being brought to the colonies and a copy of the original Declaratory Act
The townshend acts
The Townshend Acts of 1767, (named after Charles Townshend, the British treasurer at the time) were very upsetting for the colonists. The acts put taxes on all imported good, from coffee to tea to glass and everything else one could think of. Previously, the custom system failed due to easily bribed and corrupted officials, but the new acts granted one third of a seized ships value (www.ushistory.org). This made even more corrupt officials as they would find any reason or make one up to seize a ship. The fiery colonists refused to import and buy British goods, causing sales to fall over 40% (Class notes).
Above (Left to Right) A common slogan created to express the colonists desire for representation of any kind (no_taxation_without_representation_yard_sign.jpg), a political cartoon depicting a colonists reading the tax on tea, (http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/22/130922-004-9F58B218.jpg), and an image of Parliament perhaps creating acts to put on the colonies, (00000302.jpg).
Samuel adams
Samuel Adams (September 27th 1722-October 2nd 1803) was a famous member of the Sons of Liberty and an important character in the war. He was an unsuccessful brewer and business man and eventually worked as a clerk for many years (www.ushistory.org). As war broke out, he became a member of the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence. After the war, Old Sam retired from Congress only to be elected Governor of Massachusetts, where he remained in office until his death (www.ushistory.org).
Below (Left to Right) A portrait of Samuel Adams, the logo of a popular beer named after the revolutionist (ironically Samuel Adams was a failed brewer among other things) and Sam Adams signature, found on many documents including the Declaration of Independance.
George washington
George Washington (1732-1799) was the 1st President of the USA, Commander in Chief of the Continental Colonial Army, and one of the most famous persons of all time. He was raised in Virginia, trained as a land surveyor and fought in the French Indian War (1754-1763)(www.history.com). After the war as a national hero, Washington denied becoming the King of America (www.ushistory.org) so they would not be like England.
Above (Left to Right) A portrait of George Washington, George Washington fighting a giant bengal tiger during a hurricane, and George Washington depicted as a surveyor
Benedict arnold
Benedict Arnold (1741-1801) was born in Norwich, Conneticut (www.theamericanrevolution.org). Following his parents deaths and finical troubles, Arnold dropped out of school and founded an apothecary in New Haven. He married in 1767 but soon after marched to war following Lexington and Concord. He rose to Colonel and became jealous of other junior officers being promoted beyond him. Soon after several failures in battle, Arnold began to collaborate with the British. When one of his fellow spies was arrest, tried and executed, Arnold panicked and defected to England where he was given the title of Brigadier General.
Above (Left to Right) are several portraits of Arnold including a modern wanted poster of him
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Ben Franklin (1706-7190) was born in Boston born to his candlemaker father and with his 16 other siblings attended Boston Latin School. He dropped out at 10 to help his fathers business. Ben was soon apprenticed at 12, to a print shop where he worked until 1723. During the revolution, he was key in the repeal of the stamp act, the writing of the Declaration of Independence, and became the unofficial diplomat to France (www.biography.com). Later in life, Ben had his own printing press and was a renowned inventor. he died on April 11th, 1790.
Above (Left to Right) A portrait of Ben Franklin, the $100 bill featuring Ben "Mad Money" Franklin and an ACTUAL image of Franklin vs Zeus
King George III of England
King George III (1738-1820) came to power at the age of 23, one of the youngest kings of all time (www.revolutionary-war.net). When the revolutionary war began to break out and protests became quiet frequent, the King was driven mad earning him the nickname, "The Mad King." His madness was thought to be cause by a combination of his learning disability and the frustration that came from it. At the end of the war, he refused to make peace until the Treaty of Paris in 1783. He died with a broke kingdom and no respect from his subjects in January 1820. (www.history.org)
Above (Left to Right) a portrait of King George when he came to power,(king-george-iii.jpg), an image of the British flag called the Union Jack(
http://www.myaudioschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/TTOF-Pre-1801-Union-flag-of-Great-Britain-this-was-one-of-the-flags-used-by-the-Kings-forces-during-the-American-Revolutionary-War-image-released-by-its-author-to-public-domain.png) and finally a modern day meme about King George during the revolution (http://treasure.diylol.com/uploads/post/image/564265/resized_y-u-no-meme-generator-king-george-iii-y-u-no-give-colonist-independence-9d9fb6.jpg)