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What Started the Revolutionary War?

Above: The Boston Tea Party

The French and Indian War put Britain in great debt. Because of this, Britain started taxing the colonists. This is one of the main reasons that the Revolutionary War started. The colonists were angered, and revolted. These revolts were extreme, and many lives were lost.
The first act that was put on the colonists was the Sugar Act of 1764. This act placed a tax on molasses. This act had almost no revolt because the colonists had no clue that that wasn't the only tax Britain would make. Every act and tax from here on did have some kind of protest, though.
The next act was the Stamp Act of 1765. This placed a tax on legal documents, newspapers, playing cards, and dice. All of these had to have a stamp on them showing that the tax for it was paid. This angered the colonists and they started saying:
"No taxation without representation!" Under English law, you can't tax somebody unless they are represented in Parliament. The colonists didn't have representatives, so they argued. But Britain claimed that the colonists were "virtually represented" by the two houses of Parliament.
So the taxes kept rolling in. The Townshend Acts of May, 1767 put a tax on goods. The Quartering Act of 1765 made colonists provide housing, candles, bedding, and beverages to any British soldiers in the colonies. Then the colonists lost it.
The colonists couldn't take it any longer. They protested at the Boston customs house (site of the Boston Massacre) and five were killed. Then, outraged, the colonists started searching for ammunition. They were ready to fight.
So, all the British acts and taxes (including the Tea Act which caused the Boston Tea Party) started the Revolutionary War. The war in which we broke free from Britain, was technically started by them. Maybe next time, they'll think about it first.

Above: Stamp Act Title

Special Thanks to Prentice Hall TextBook: The American Nation Copyright 1995