Causes of the American Revolution

The Proclamation Line of 1763 What it did: Banned all settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains Purpose: prevent future conflict with Natives How colonists reacted: Made the colonists angry because they felt like the British government did not care about their needs (more land/space) It was extremely hard to enforce so many colonists ignored it and moved west anyways

British Economic Policy In 1651, Parliament (the legislative branch in Great Britain) passed the Navigation Acts as part of their policy of mercantilism These laws said These laws made sure that the colonies could only trade with Great Britain Great Britain received all of the profits of the colonies

British Economic Policy During 1700s, Great Britain was busy fighting France in Europe and began the policy of salutary neglect in the colonies Salutary neglect was the policy of rarely or loosely enforcing British laws in the colonies (such as the Navigation Acts) Effects: - Colonists were able to build their own trade networks and govern themselves (House of Burgesses, Town meetings) - Many port cities became profitable locations for smugglers

Economic Issues in Britain After all of the fighting with France, Great Britain was in debt and owed a lot of money War is extremely expensive, and GB had fought A LOT of wars with France Taxes and unemployment were extremely high in Great Britain

The End of Salutary Neglect After the French and Indian War ended, salutary neglect also ended and British officials began cracking down on smuggling in the colonies Great Britain expected the colonies to help pay their share of the debt and Parliament began taxing the colonists by passing a series of Acts (laws)

The Sugar Act (1764) Purpose: raise money to help pay war debts What it was: indirect tax on sugar which made it more expensive to produce rum. Also created new courts for smuggling cases. How colonists reacted: ignored the law and continued smuggling

The Stamp Act (1765) Purpose: raise money to help pay war debts and replace Sugar Act What it said: required colonists to buy special stamped paper for all paper products making them more expensive Ex. Legal documents, newspapers, playing cards Stamp Act affected every colonist (not just merchants)

Reaction #1: The Sons of Liberty Secret resistance group Led by Samuel Adams & John Hancock Harassed British colonial officials, sometimes to the point of violence, and destroyed British goods

Reaction #2: The Stamp Act Congress Delegates from 9 colonies met in NYC of Oct. 1765 Said “no taxation without representation” First time the colonies united as one

Reaction #3: Colonists Boycotted British goods This means they refused to buy British products March 1766- Parliament repealed the Stamp Act Passed the Declaratory Act, which said Parliament could pass any law it wanted to

The Townshend Acts (1767) Purpose: raise money to help pay war debts and replace the unpopular Stamp Act What they were: Tax on imported materials like glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea (most popular drink in the colonies)

Reactions Colonists again boycotted British goods Daughters of Liberty formed. They helped the boycott by making their own clothes, tea, etc. Merchants continued to smuggle in goods from other countries

Tensions Between Colonists and British Intensify (1768) John Hancock accused of smuggling wine on his ship, The Liberty Riots broke out in Boston and British customs agents were attacked In response, the British sent 2,000 soldiers, referred to as Redcoats because of their uniforms, to Boston to protect the customs agents

The Boston Massacre (1770) Mob gathered outside the customs house taunted and threw things at the guard on duty so more troops showed up The soldiers opened fire 5 people were killed

The Boston Massacre (1770) Sons of Liberty labeled it “The Boston Massacre” Claimed it was a bloody attack on defenseless citizens to turn colonists against the British

Committees of Correspondence (1773) What: Communication networks linking the colonies Why: Allowed colonists to stay up-to- date on British activity in other colonies United colonies together

Tea Act (1773) Purpose: prevent the British East India Tea Company from going out of business What it said: Colonial merchants had to pay a tax on tea

Reaction: The Boston Tea Party (1773) Boston rebels disguised themselves as Native Americans and boarded 3 British tea ships Dumped thousands of pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor

Intolerable Acts (1774) Purpose: Punishment for Boston Tea Party What they did: Shut down Boston Harbor Quartering Act- British soldiers could be housed in private homes Boston placed under martial law (control of an area by military forces rather than local police) Colonial assembly in Boston was disbanded (could no longer meet)

Reaction: First Continental Congress (1774) Delegates from all 13 colonies met in Philadelphia to demand rights from Great Britain Drafted the Declaration of Colonial Rights Agreed to meet again in May 1775 if their demands weren’t met