Underlying Causes of the American Revolution!

Mercantilism An economic system, like capitalism –Two goals: Exports! Obtain as much precious metals (GOLD!) as possible Colonies are meant to provide: –Raw materials Gold! Stuff to make other stuff! –A market for goods

Navigation Acts (1660, 1696)… Restricted Trade in the following ways… –1. Only British ships can transport imported and exported goods from the colonies. –2. Only British citizens can control the trade. –3. Merchandise such as sugar, tobacco, cotton and wool (CASH CROPS!) which were produced in the colonies could be exported only to British ports

Salutary Neglect: A metaphor… Every-time Billy goes to the store, his mommy lets him get a candy bar at the check-out lane. One day, they go through the check-out lane and mommy says no. How will Billy react?

Colonies are growing rapidly and England is profiting immensely from colonial trade. –England only loosely enforces Navigation Acts. –Colonists get used to British not enforcing laws! Salutary Neglect

The Great Awakening Religious Movement –Early 1700s –“Revivalist Preachers” –Baptists, Methodists spread, reject church hierarchy. Affects: –Lower and Middle Classes begin to question authority.

French and Indian War… French and Indians vs. British Colonials –

French and Indian War: Key Outcomes 1.British gain tons of land from the French! 2.English colonists now want to push west into new territory. 3.Colonial soldiers (generals in particular) gain military experience. (Like George Washington!) 4.French upset after English victory. Want revenge 5.War nearly bankrupts English. Need new sources of revenue… Begin enforcing Navigation Acts, TAXES!

Proclamation of 1763 A law which banned all settlement west of the Appalachians. –Why do you think the British passed this law? –Why would it upset the colonists?

And finally, the Enlightenment… 18 th Century movement that emphasized the use of reason and the scientific method to obtain knowledge. John Locke = Social Contract Theory –A king only rules with the consent of the governed. If he or she violates that contract (tyranny!) then the governed have a right to replace the government. -John Locke