The Boston Tea Party was a protest against the Tea Act of 1773. This law let the British East India Company sell tea straight to the colonies, which hurt local tea sellers. Even though the tax on tea was small, colonists were upset because they had no say in making the law. They saw it as unfair taxation without representation. Throwing the tea into the harbor was a strong way to show their anger and stand up to British rule.

After winning the French and Indian War, Britain had a lot of debt and wanted the American colonies to help pay for it. British leaders thought the colonies had gained from the war and should help pay for their own defense. To do this, Britain passed new taxes. Many colonists were angry because they had no voice in Parliament and felt the taxes were unfair.

Loyalists were American colonists who wanted to stay loyal to Britain. They believed it was safer to remain under British rule and worried that fighting back would lead to chaos. Some stayed loyal because of personal beliefs, religion, or money. During the war, many Loyalists were treated badly by neighbors who supported independence.

Newspapers and pamphlets helped colonists share news and ideas quickly, even across long distances. Writers like Thomas Paine used strong words to speak out against British rule and encourage people to support independence. These writings helped unite the colonists in the fight for freedom.

On April 19, 1775, British soldiers went to Concord to take weapons from the colonists. On their way, they were met by a group of colonial soldiers in Lexington. A shot was fired—no one knows who shot first—but it started a battle. This was the first fight between the British and the colonists, and it marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War.