Causes of the American Revolution

French and Indian War (1754-1763) Rivalry between the French and British dispute over control of major waterways England does not want France in the Ohio River Valley Debt for Great Britain doubled Expected the colonists to help pay

Unpopular Regulations Proclamation Act of 1763 Banned all settlement west of the Appalachians British could not enforce the law Sugar Act Placed taxes on certain imports Strengthened the enforcement of the law

Unpopular Regulations Stamp Act Colonists had to purchase special stamped paper for every legal document, license, newspaper, pamphlet, and almanac “stamp taxes” on packages of playing cards and dice Creation of Sons of Liberty Individual colonial assemblies protested

Unpopular Regulations Townshend Acts Passed by Parliament in 1767 Indirect taxes on imported materials → tea Led to Boston Tea Party “No Taxation Without Representation”

Boston Massacre March 5th, 1770 Argument between guards of the Customs House and an angry mob 5 killed including Crispus Attuckus Used as propaganda against the British Empire

Boston Tea Party Tea Act: was meant to help rid the boycott on goods East India Company could sell tea without taxes Cut colonial tea traders out of the equation December 16th 1773 Boston rebels disguised as Native Americans dumped tea into the Harbor (18,000 pounds)

Intolerable Acts A series of measures passed in 1774 Quartering Act: authorized British soldiers to stay in vacant buildings and private homes Shut down Boston Harbor Boston was placed under martial law

First Continental Congress September 1774 56 delegates drew up a declaration of colonial rights If demands were not met then they would meet again in May 1775

“The Shot Heard Round the World” American colonists were collecting weapons in Concord, Massachusetts 800 British troops marched through Lexington on the way to Concord Meant to seize and destroy munitions Paul Revere: “The British are coming!”