Give Me Liberty Causes of the American Revolution

Sketch of Baltimore Harbor, 1752 During the early years of settlement, England ignored its colonies. Under the Navigation Acts, the colonists could trade only with England. Colonists resented England’s control of the colonies because they were used to being left alone. Sketch of Baltimore Harbor, 1752

The first meeting of the Virginia Assembly Colony founders knew they must guarantee rights and good government if they were going to attract colonists. Virginia colonists created the House of Burgesses which was the first representative assembly in the Americas. By 1750 each of the 13 colonies had an elected assembly. The first meeting of the Virginia Assembly

North American land claims, 1753 Britain and France were intense rivals in the struggle for North America. In the 1750s the center of colonial conflict was the Ohio River Valley. British officer George Washington was sent to build a fort on the river but was defeated by the French before he could. Native Americans became French allies because it appeared the French would win the war. North American land claims, 1753

Taking of Quebec by English forces during the French and Indian War The French and Indian war went badly for the British colonies until Captain James Wolfe took Quebec in 1759. The British finally won three years later. Taking of Quebec by English forces during the French and Indian War

North American land claims, 1763 Great Britain became the most powerful nation in the world. The enlarged empire meant conflicts with Native Americans in the Ohio River Valley. To avoid problems, Britain issued the Proclamation of 1763 which did not allow colonists to cross the Appalachian Mountains. Colonist were infuriated because they did not like being told where they could and could not go. North American land claims, 1763

British officials expected colonists to help pay for their defense. In order to enforce the Proclamation of 1763 and keep peace with Native Americans, a permanent British army was stationed in America. British officials expected colonists to help pay for their defense. The colonists did not like the presence of the army, nor having to pay for the troops’ support. King George III

The French and Indian War Explanation Britain needed money to finance war with France. Reaction/ Result Britain imposed taxes on the colonists without their consent to pay for the war.

Proclamation of 1763 Explanation Britain wanted to avoid conflict with Native Americans, so Colonists were forbidden to cross Appalachian Mountains. British Army stationed in the colonies Reaction/ Result Colonists were angered because of British presence and being told what to do

Sugar Act Explanation Tax on sugar and molasses; designed by George Grenville to stop smuggling; taxed tea was cheaper than Smuggled tea; Suspects tried In military Courts Reaction/ Result Did not affect many, but the idea of taxes a growing issue

Stamp Act Explanation Tax on legal documents, newspapers, wills, and basically every piece of paper used; a stamp was placed on the paper Reaction/ Result Stamp Act Congress formed to organize boycott Sam Adams organized Sons of Liberty Eventually repealed

Quartering Act Explanation Colonists had to provide food, housing, blankets, candles, etc. for the British soldiers Reaction/ Result This was hated, but little could be done

Townshend Acts Explanation Reaction/ Result Tax on various imported household items such as paper, glass, lead, silk, and tea Reaction/ Result Colonists boycott through the non-importation agreement (Daughters of Liberty) Eventually repealed, except TEA TAX – led to Boston Tea Party

The Boston Massacre Explanation Reaction/ Result A rioting mob confronted British soldiers at the Boston Customs House Tensions rose and shots were fired into the crowd, killing five colonists Reaction/ Result Sam Adams used the opportunity to whip up anti-British feeling by calling the event a massacre Two soldiers were found guilty of manslaughter, six were found not guilty

Tea Act Explanation Tea merchants in the colonies were cut out of the tea trade because the British East India Company was given a monopoly on the tea trade and they lowered their tea prices . The company monopolized, or controlled, tea sales in the colonies. British East India Company Reaction/ Result Boston Tea Party

Boston Tea Party Explanation Reaction/ Result Intolerable Acts On December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty dumped 90,000 pounds of tea into Boston Harbor. This was an act of civil disobedience: That means people break a law on purpose to try to protest it and get it changed. Reaction/ Result Intolerable Acts

Intolerable Acts Explanation Punishment for Boston Tea Party Colonists could not hold town meetings Port of Boston closed Customs officials tried in Britain Reaction/ Result First Continental Congress meets Individual colonies began to unify

Other Acts and Events

“No taxation without representation!” “Taxation without representation is tyranny” Explanation Colonists had no representatives to speak for them in Parliament Reaction/ Result Colonists resented not having a say in their own affairs Became a rallying cry

Writs of Assistance Reaction/ Result Explanation Customs officers could search ships or homes at will; document allowed soldiers to search anywhere for smuggled goods Reaction/ Result Few colonists affected, but merchants felt this was an invasion of privacy

The Declaratory Act Explanation Reaction/ Result The same day the Stamp Act was repealed, Parliament passed the Declaratory Act. It said Parliament had the right to make any law it wanted for the colonies, “in all cases whatsoever.” Reaction/ Result Most Patriots weren’t even aware the law was passed. They were celebrating the repeal of the Stamp Act and they overlooked the passage of the Declaratory Act.

Chronology of Events French and Indian War- 1754-1763 Proclamation of 1763- 1763 Sugar Act- 1764 Stamp Act- 1765 Writs of Assistance- 1767

Chronology of Events Townshend Acts- 1767 Quartering Act- 1770 Boston Massacre- 1770 Tea Act/ Boston Tea Party- 1773 Intolerable Acts- 1774