England and France fought a war for possession of North America.
Many Americans were subjects of the British Crown. The Americans did not feel loyal to England, but they were forced to fight for the British.
It was called the French and Indian War because many Indian tribes liked the French and fought on their side against the British.
France was defeated. But the war was so costly, the British decided to tax the Americans, to pay for the war.
Americans were considered inferior to British citizens who lived in England. America was not represented in British Parliament.
The American leaders who fought and won against the French, were not rewarded for their military skill...because they were Americans, and not English.
One of these was George Washington.
Americans did not like paying taxes to England.
"No Taxation Without Representation"
The heavy taxes caused many American businesses to fail. British businesses made all the money.
There were riots against the taxes, and the British were unable to keep the peace.
The taxes were reduced. By 1773, only tea shipped from England was still taxed.
On December 16, 1773, a group of Americans dressed as Indians boarded tea ships in Boston Harbor and dumped all the tea overboard. This was called The Boston Tea party.
