Beginnings of the Revolution Synopsis Rise in population (ethnic, religious, racial) makes it increasingly difficult to control the Colony’s.  30% Irish, German, Scottish  20% Slave  Church of England only in the South Colony’s split into 3 categories:  Corporate  Royal  Proprietary

American Revolution Causes: French and Indian War (known as the 7 year War in Europe). War was fought heavily in the Northern Colonies. In the end Britain gains parts of Canada from France, and Florida from Spain.

American Revolution Britain gained a large amount of debt which they passed on to the colonists. At the time Colonists had been left alone, and had grown very independent of Britain. American prosperity was viewed as new taxable income for the British. America had also been in charge of their own standing militia’s, this power would be taken away.

American Revolution The colonies were also guilty of smuggling French goods into the America’s as the British were fighting the French and Indian War. The colonists viewed themselves as sovereign, and felt the British should involve themselves only foreign policy when it came to the colonies.

American Revolution As the British try to get the colony’s under control, Native uprisings begin in the West. This leads to the Proclamation of This was followed immediately by the Currency Act, which stopped Colonist’s from using paper money to pay debts. The Sugar Act came next, and limited shipping between colonies.

Beginnings of the Revolution Synopsis The growth in population, diversity (ethnic, racial, and religious) made it increasingly difficult for the British to run the colonies.  30% German, Scottish, Irish  20% Slave  Church of England only in the South  Each Colony had it’s own governing body. Colony’s broken up into 3 groups: Corporate, Royal, Proprietary.

American Revolution The Sugar Act also called for British courts to hear all violations of law. This took power away from local judges, as well as, giving Britain all jurisdiction over colonial matters. The Quartering Act of 1765 forced all Colonist’s to open their homes to British soldiers without notice. British citizens in Europe were openly calling for more taxes on Colonist’s to pay for Soldiers stationed in Canada.

American Revolution All these new conditions and acts came rapidly, most in a span of 12 years. Coming from nearly 100 years of complete sovereignty, this alarmed the Colonist’s, creating that ‘what’s next’ mentality. The colonists response was to turn to ideology. The British had always used debate as a way to settle intra-country issues.

American Revolution First, the colonists would claim protection under British common law. Under these laws, British subjects were to be protected from arbitrary laws passed to them by their own government. This was ended quickly, and with the support of nearly all British citizens in Europe, as they viewed these new laws as necessity not arbitrary.

American Revolution Next, they’d turn to arguing their ‘Natural Rights.’ Believing that all men were created equal and had the God given right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness (John Locke). When these arguments did not appeal to the King, they turned to a century old argument fought by the original Whig party in Europe. The idea of limiting the central government and giving power to the people.