Overview of the contentious struggle about taxation without representation between colonists and the British leading King George III and Parliament to overthrow the Stamp Act, but impose the Declaratory Act, asserting Parliament...

The issue thus drawn centered on the question of representation. From the colonies' point of view, it was impossible to consider themselves represented in Parliament unless they actually elected members to the House of Commons. But this...

This site has the brief history and background of the Stamp Act of 1765 provided for by the University of Groningen.

Overview of the conflict between Britain and American colonists over policies imposed favoring the British East India Company leading to rebellion and what is known as the Boston Tea Party.

Although some believe that the history of the American Revolution began long before the first shots were fired in 1775, England and America did not begin an overt parting of the ways until 1763, more than a century and a half after the...

An article by a British Member of Parliament that traces the history of the welfare state in Britain. It examines its beginning in the early 1900s through its overreaching problems at the end of the twentieth century. Archived.

Read the text of the Tea Act, passed by the British Parliament primarily as a way to rescue the failing British East India Company. Find out about the colonists' reactions to this tax, and read a first-hand account of the Boston Tea Party.

Explains who the Chartists were and their first efforts to try to persuade the British Parliament to enact reforms for the working class. Their three petitions failed to move Parliament but increased the resolve of others to push for...

Find the response by the British Parliament to the dumping of tea into Boston Harbor. So many laws were enacted that the colonists lumped them together and called them the Intolerable Acts.

Details explaining what the Intolerable Acts were, as well as providing the full text of each act passed by the British Parliament in 1774.

The complete original text of the British Parliament's Administration of Justice Act of 1774 to encourage enforcement of Royal Authority.

Daniel Dulany of Annapolis, Maryland, had studied law in England at the Middle Temple, and was considered, at least by one fellow Marylander, Charles Carrol, to be "indisputably the best lawyer on this continent." He wrote this pamphlet,...

Begins with a description of the British system of mercantilism that was imposed on the American colonies along with the taxes levied through the Stamp Act and the Sugar Act. The Americans complained that it was taxation without...

Reasons for the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act are briefly described. The article also describes the colonial assemblies' reasons for fearing and speaking out against these taxes. The biggest question, Parliament's right to tax the...

This lesson plan is from a unit on events leading to the American revolution. It highlights the Stamp Act, and the British concept of 'virtual representation' where a member of government was believed to represent every citizen, not just...

[Free Registration/Login Required] Students solve a problem surrounding a historical question by reading primary source documents. This historical inquiry instructional activity allows students to engage in key aspects of historical...

This site from The History Place offers a timeline of events of the Revolution. It offers information about England's involvement with the United States. Pictures are provided throughout along with links to additional information.

Overview of the tax on goods imported to the colonies known as the Townshend Acts sparking protest in the colonies.

The fact that the Second Continental Congress convened was evidence that the colonists had had enough from the British Parliament. Read about the ways the colonies finally began to work together and focus on a common plan, resulting in...

This site provides the full text of the Quartering Act passed by British Parliament in 1774.

A time line listing the main events that occurred during the first British Civil War between 1640-46. Provides links to more detailed descriptions of particular events.

A article about the checkered reign of Charles II of England. Archived.

An article describing the historical background to the Abolitionist movement in England, giving details on the slave trade and more.

The original text of British Prime Minister William Pitt's actual speech to Parliament describing his disapproval of the Stamp Act and why he felt it should be repealed.