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Setting the Stage  To a large extent, the history of colonial
America was defined by a struggle between European powers for
control. The desire of both Great Britain and France to dominate
territory in North America culminated in the French and Indian
War (1754-63). This conflict began in America, but spread to
Europe in 1756 where it was referred to as the Seven Years' War.
Although Great Britain emerged victorious, the country was
severely in debt. King George III decided to make the American
colonies pay taxes on goods shipped to America such as sugar,
paper, and tea as a way to raise money to help pay for the war.
Colonists responded by refusing to buy British products. The
King eventually repealed all taxes on British goods except tea,
but colonists continued to protest. After the famous Boston Tea
Party in 1773, when colonists dumped 342 chests of British tea
into the harbor rather than pay taxes on it, the King sent
soldiers to Boston to close