Causes of the American Revolution Why did the colonists in America revolt against the British government? vs

British Government vs. American Colonists British-America was divided into 13 colonies & Canada Each colony had its own government but still had to obey British law 1754: France & Britain fight French & Indian War (Seven Years War) 1763: Britain wins but King & Parliament expect colonists to pay for war – Why? fought in America We agree! You guys pay for this war!! Why us?

Causes of the American Revolution 1764: Sugar Act: Lower tax on British Sugar, to try to get Colonists to buy British sugar instead of smuggling Effect: People don’t want to be forced to buy British sugar Cause #2: 1765: Stamp act: direct tax on all stamped documents Colonists say violates natural rights, no taxation w/o representation! Effect: Colonists boycott British goods, Britain passes more taxes

The Bloody Massacre Describe what you see in the picture. Discuss: What would you do about all of the new taxes? Describe what you see in the picture. Who looks like the aggressor? What do you think happened in the picture?

Cause #3: 1770: Boston Massacre – People protesting the new taxes in Townshend Act are shot by British soldiers Cause #4: 1773:Tea Act & Boston Tea Party, no tax on British tea, but Amer. tea still taxed. Colonists dump Br. tea into Boston Harbor. King George closes Boston Harbor Cause #5: 1774: Intolerable Acts – 1.Quartering Act forces citizens to house British troops. 2. Administration of Justice Act –Boston Massacre trial moved from Boston to London 3. Redcoats shoot at “Minutemen”

Effect: 7/4/1776: The Declaration of Independence is ratified, which leads to the American Revolution! Reflection: Write a break-up letter to King George and Parliament, using at least three causes of the Declaration of Independence.