Short- Term Causes of the American Revolution

Once a violent or irreparable event happens, the ‘spark’ is ignited and everything sort of blows up. This is the actual revolution in violent fashion. Once a violent or irreparable event happens, the ‘spark’ is ignited and everything sort of blows up. This is the actual revolution in violent fashion. Publications and Communication: The colonists are now promoting separation from England and the ideas of Self Government. They are doing so outwardly and vehemently The King: The King is now working to consider anyone above as treasonous and is trying to keep Loyalists on his side. Native Americans: In most cases, they are considered enemies and Loyalists, The Native Americans truly believe that if England wins, the colonies will not be expanded. The French and Spanish: For obvious reasons, these powers want to see the colonists prevail and separate from the Crown. In fact, without them, the colonies would never have won the Revolutionary war Can you name so potential reasons why?

Short Term stuff…the steps to war You decide: What is important and why? Where does this fit into organizing your thoughts and opinions about this revolution? What type of historian are you? What do you believe about the nature of revolutions?

March 5, 1770 - The Boston Massacre occurs as a mob throw stones and snowballs at British soldiers who then fire their muskets pointblank into the crowd, killing three instantly, mortally wounding two others and injuring six. The captain of the British soldiers, Thomas Preston, is arrested along with eight of his men and charged with murder.

December 16, 1773 - About 8000 Bostonians gather to hear Sam Adams tell them Royal Governor Hutchinson has repeated his command not to allow the ships out of the harbor until the tea taxes are paid. That night, the Boston Tea Party occurs as colonial activists disguise themselves as Mohawk Indians then board the ships and dump all 342 containers of tea into the harbor. 1770 - In April, The King repeals all taxes and constraints (such as the Quartering Act) in an attempt to calm the colonial protest…all taxes EXCEPT for tea. The tea tax was the largest and England could not afford the loss of revenue.

September 5, 1774 representatives from 12 colonies met in Philidelphia to write their grievences to the King. Among them were George Washington, Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry.

1774 - May 20, The English Parliament enacts the next series of ‘Intolerable Acts’, which include the Massachusetts Regulating Act and the Government Act virtually ending any self-rule by the colonists there. Instead, the English Crown and the Royal governor assume political power formerly exercised by colonists. Also enacted; the Administration of Justice Act which protects royal officials in Massachusetts from being sued in colonial courts, and the Quebec Act establishing a centralized government in Canada controlled by the Crown and English Parliament. The Quebec Act greatly upsets American colonists by extending the southern boundary of Canada into territories claimed by Massachusetts, Connecticut and Virginia. 1774 – Thomas Paine begins distributing “Common Sense” –a pamphlet that makes the idea of revolution a larger, more popular class struggle, accessible to all who are even slightly literate. “Tyranny is tyranny,” says Paine.

June 17, 1775 - The first major fight between British and American troops occurs at Boston in the Battle of Bunker Hill. July 1st, 1775 – In a last ditch effort to prevent all out war, the Continental Congress issued the Olive Branch Petition. However, even this included langage relevant to the need for self government and the ability for revolt. The King responded by issuing a Proclamation of Rebellion stating that the colonies were in a state of full rebellion. January 5, 1776 - The assembly of New Hampshire adopts the first American state constitution. May 2, 1776 - The revolutionaries get foreign support ; King Louis XVI of France commits one million dollars in arms and munitions. Spain then also promises support.

July 4, 1776 - United States Declaration of Independence…