Soon after the Seven Years War (1756–1763) ended, England imposed higher taxes on its colonies in order to compensate for the tremendous financial loss caused by the war. In fact, for almost eighty years, England was in war, not only in the new continent but also with other European countries. By allying with Prussia, Britain engaged in a maritime strategy and concentrated all of its power on the Seven Year War in America, waged against the French and Indians. During this period of time, England's Prime Minister, Edward Walpole, proposed the idea of Salutary Neglect, where colonies would be allowed to govern themselves while at war. During this period, colonists became accustomed to the benefits of a system of self-governing, including no tax increases. .
When the wars had ended and the dust had settled, England noticed a huge discrepancy in what the English were paying in taxes and what was being collected from the colonists. As a result, King George III called on parliament to make immediate changes to the self-governing system the colonists were practicing; he wanted more money from them. .
At the time, the Prime Minister was George Grenville, and he proposed solutions which would implement a series of changes for the new colonies. These acts were frown upon by the colonists and described them as animosities, depriving them from their legitimate rights as Englishmen. Urged to point out these injustice, many colonists petitioned to restore these new laws, while others decided to take justice with their own hands. Consequently, two sides generated, namely, a rebellious side that resorted to the force in order to solve for the issues they faced and a loyalist side that took the side of England and stayed loyal.
The new acts generated a lot of controversy and had many group of colonists gather and discuss these ruthless and cruel acts. A group that stood out was the "Sons of liberty " in Boston, Massachusetts lead by Samuel Adams.