“For every action, there is a reaction” American Revolution “For every action, there is a reaction”

American Revolution The American Revolution & the American Revolutionary War, although related, are two different events. The American Revolution is the reaction to the perceived violation of colonial rights by the British, which eventually leads to the idea of independence. The American Revolution eventually leads to the Revolutionary War.

Britain’s Policy of Mercantilism Britain’s empire would gain more wealth & power if it created a favorable balance of trade (selling more goods than they purchase). To export more than it imported, Britain demanded that the colonists supply more raw materials, buy more manufactured goods, & pay higher taxes.

Navigation Acts (1651-1763) Over 100 were passed in this time span. Some rules established: All colonial goods must be carried on English Ships Some export products (enumerated goods) could only be sent to England. Products imported from other countries must be sent to England first before coming to the colonies

Grenville Plan New minister to the colonies, George Grenville, proposed to King George III that the colonies be taxed to pay for the French & Indian War.

Britain’s Need for New Taxes Fighting in the French & Indian War had put the British Empire deep in debt. More money was needed to maintain military defenses to protect the empire.

Problems in Western Lands Indian uprisings, such as the one led by the Ottawa Chief Pontiac caused more financial problems for the empire (Pontiac’s Rebellion). Conflicts erupted between settlers on whether to keep the land for farming or fur trapping. There were conflicting claims on ownership of land west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Proclamation of 1763 King George III ordered colonists living west of the Appalachian Mountains to withdraw temporarily for safety reasons.

Sugar Act of 1764 To increase government revenue a tax was placed on sugar, molasses, & other products imported from outside the empire. This act replaced the Molasses Act of 1733, which had been ignored

Stamp Act of 1765 A tax was placed on legal documents such as letters, newspapers, advertisements, wills, & playing cards. Colonists responded by holding a Stamp Act Congress in Albany, New York. Nine colonies sent delegates, & did the following things: Wrote a Declaration of Rights & petitioned the King Petitioned Parliament to get the Stamp Act repealed Boycotted British products & with the help of Parliament member Edmund Burke the Stamp Act was repealed.

Quartering Act of 1765 Colonists would have to provide food & shelter for British troops stationed in the colonies.

Declaratory Act of 1766 Passed by Parliament after the repeal of the Stamp Act Declared that Britain had full power & authority to pass any laws whatsoever on the colonies.

Townshend Acts of 1767 Passed in Parliament with the help of Charles Townshend putting new taxes on glass, paper, paint, lead, & tea. Writs of Assistance (Search Warrants) allowed British officials to search colonial homes.

Colonial Reactions The Virginia House of Burgesses passed a resolution stating that only colonial legislatures can levy taxes on the colonies. Boston Massacre - On March 5, 1770 British troops fired on colonists & Crispus Attucks was the first to die there

Colonial Reactions Committees of Correspondence were started in Massachusetts by Samuel Adams & in Virginia by Thomas Jefferson.

Colonial Reactions Gaspee Incident – A British revenue ship called the Gaspee sank outside of Boston Harbor. The Townshend Acts were finally repealed in 1770 except for the tax on tea.

Tea Act of 1773 The colonists continued their boycott of the tax by not buying tea The Tea Act lowered the price of colonial tea by allowing direct shipment of tea to the colonies

Boston Tea Party On December 16, 1773 the Sons of Liberty dumped tea in Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act of 1773

Intolerable (Coercive) Acts of 1774 British response to the Boston Tea Party: Boston Port Bill – closed the port of Boston until tea damages were paid Administration of Justice Act – allowed British officials accused of murder to stand trial in England Massachusetts Government Act – restricted town meetings as to time & place & called for the appointment of town council members by the royal governor Thomas Gage

First Continental Congress September 5, 1774 Twelve colonies sent delegates to Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia & did the following things: Wrote a declaration of rights & petitioned the King (2nd time) Organized a colonial boycott of all British Goods Called for a Second Continental Congress to be held in May of 1775 Commissioned a Survey of Colonist Sentiments