Causes and Events Leading to the American Revolution
English Policies Mercantilism (1600s-1700s) England required the colonists to sell them cheap raw materials Colonists were required to buy expensive manufactured goods Navigation Acts (Laws) 1660s-1740s Trade mainly with England Use ships made in England or the colonies Pay taxes in England for things bought in other countries Colonists could not have their own businesses that competed with England’s
The French and Indian War 1754 to 1763 Great Britain and colonists fought against France and the Native Americans Great Britain won the war Huge debt (England owes a lot of money) King George III and Parliament create TAXES
Causes of the American Revolution
Vocabulary Boycott: to refuse to buy No Taxation without representation: colonies did not like being taxed because they had no representation in the English Parliament (they did not vote) Loyalist: Someone who is loyal to the king and is against independence Patriot: Someone who supports independence
Proclamation Line of 1763 Description: Colonists were not allowed to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. Colonial Reaction: crossed anyway
Sugar Act 1764 Description: This act placed a tax on sugar and molasses Colonial Reaction: Colonists smuggled
Stamp Act 1765 Description: This act required revenue stamps for newspapers, playing cards, books, and any written material. Colonial Reaction: Boycott and Sons of Liberty would tar and feather stamp sellers
Example of a Primary Source
SONS OF LIBERTY Started by Samuel Adams In 1765 Group of patriots Example of a primary source Started by Samuel Adams In 1765 Group of patriots Organized boycotts and protests in the colonies
Stamp Act Congress 1765 Colonists meet in New York to organize a boycott of all British goods Colonial efforts were successful England REPEALED (TOOK AWAY) the Stamp Act
Quartering Act 1765 Description: Colonists were required to quarter (house and feed British soldiers in their homes) Colonial reaction: angry, said it was unfair Today: 3rd Amendment to Constitution does not allow this
Townshend Acts 1767 Description: This act placed a tax on lead, paint, paper, tea, and glass. Writs of assistance (Warrants that allowed soldiers to search colonists’ homes) Colonial Reaction: Boycott; colonists upset
Townshend Acts Colonial boycott was a success England REPEALED the Townshend Acts except for the tax on tea 1768 England sends 5,000 British troops to Boston, Massachusetts
Boston Massacre 1770 Description: March 5, 1770 5 colonists were killed by British soldiers Colonists started telling things and throwing snowballs to British guard Colonial Reaction: British seen as the enemy; incident unites the colonists
Engraving created by Paul Revere Example of a Primary Source
Example of a Primary Source
Committees of Correspondence 1772 Samuel Adams organized these groups to help keep the colonies informed about British actions
Tea Act 1773 Description: This act required colonists to buy tea from only one company (British east India Company) Colonial Reaction: Boston Tea Party
Boston Tea Party Description: December 16, 1773 Sons of Liberty dressed up as Mohawk Indians Dump 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor Colonial Reaction: Colonists are united
Boston Tea Party 1773
Coercive or Intolerable Acts 1774 Description: punished Massachusetts for Boston Tea Party No trading (Boston port closed) No self-government Military rule (army in charge) English officers will be tried in England Colonial Reaction: First Continental Congress
First Continental Congress 1774 Description: A meeting of the colonies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Colonial Reaction: Form militias Continue boycotts Help Boston