***Note: I wrote this in preparation for an in class essay I had to write. The point of the essay was to include all the facts we learned in class and fit it into one page. That's why there's no intro, conclusion, what have you. However, this "essay" can be used for its informative value, and I hope it helps.
             Before the American Revolution, the policy of mercantilism was practiced by Great Britain. The American colonies existed for the good of Great Britain. The Trade Navigation Acts of the 1660's was passed so that certain products could only be traded to England, such as cotton, tobacco, iron, and dye. Salutatory Neglect took place from 1660 to 1763, and this was a British policy which overlooked colonial violations of Britain's trade law and allowed colonies to govern themselves. The French and Indian War took place from 1754-1763. During this war, the colonists and British fought against the French and the Native Americans for control over North America. England won the war, so they gained Canada and expelled France from North America. However, England became broke, and a conflict formed over who would pay for troops to protect the colonists. Salutatory neglect ended here. Soon after, the Proclamation of 1763 was passed which prohibited colonial settlements west of the Alleghany Mountains to save Britain money, but this angered the colonists because many had already invested in land there. The Sugar Act of 1764 lowered tax on sugar, but there was stricter enforcement. Then, the Stamp Act was passed in 1765, whereas there was a tax on all paper goods, including all legal documents, newspapers, cards, etc. Some of the colonists became furious about paying taxes without representation in the British Parliament. Therefore, there was colonial opposition, such as protests, property damage, threats, and boycotts, so Britain repealed the stamp act in 1766. The Townsenor Acts of 1767 put similar taxes on certa...