The American Revolution was mostly caused by economic factors. Britain suddenly put heavy taxes and trade regulations on the colonies after a long period of salutary neglect. This added strain to the American economy. Also, King George 3 issued the Proclamation Line of 1763, which stated no settlers could go beyond the Appalachian Mountains. This law could no be enforced and it angered the colonists greatly.
The colonists were also very angry about Britain's "taxation without representation". Britain put strong regulations on trade and manufacturing like the earlier Wool, Hat, and Molasses Acts. The Sugar Act of 1764 was a raise of taxes on sugar and a lower tax on molasses. The purpose of this act was to stop illegal trade with France, Spain, and the West Indies. The Stamp Act of 1765 was a tax on all printed documents; this was a direct tax and it affected everyone. The colonists especially opposed the Stamp Act so the Sons of Liberty burned stamps and it was repealed. The Declaration Act of 1766 was an act that stated that Parliament had authority over the colonies.
The colonists responded to the "tea controversy" in ways that seems outrageous to the British. The Townshend Acts of 1767 left a duty on lead, paint, paper, and tea. The colonists responded by boycotting this act. All the duties were repealed by 1770 except for tea. The Tea Act of 1773 made tea cheaper, but the British East India Company got the monopoly on tea trade. The colonists respond to this by means of the Boston Tea Party. The Intolerable Acts of 1774 was punishment for the colonists by the British for the Boston Tea Party. The Boston port was closed, no town meetings could be conducted, and Massachusetts had to quarter soldiers. .
Some acts of Parliament tried to completely control the lifestyles of the colonists. The Currency Act of 1764 stated that the colonists must stop printing money, retire money in circulation, and pay in silver and gold.
