Causes of the Revolution

Mercanitlism Economic theory that bases a nations wealth on the amount of gold and bullion in its treasury Raw materials were exported from colonies in order for the mother country to make a profit Each nation tried to have more goods coming in than going out. This was called a favorable balance of trade.

French and Indian War A struggle between the British and the French. Colonists fought for the British, while the Native Americans fought for the French. The British won, receiving all lands east of the Mississippi River, except new Orleans. Colonists were not allowed to settle the land they helped win. Colonists were taxed to pay the war cost.

Acts of Parliament Currency Act: prohibited American colonist from issuing their own currency Quartering Act: required the colonist to provide shelter and supplies to British troops Stamp Act: required stamps to be purchased and placed on newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, legal documents, and playing cards Townshend Act: taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea Tea act: permitted the British East India Tea Comp. to sell tea at a lower price than colonial tea companies

Boston Tea Party A protest against the Tea Act of The Tea Act let the British East India Tea Company bypass tea merchants and sell directly to colonist Colonist dressed as Indians and dumped British tea into Boston harbor

Boston Massacre March 5, 1770 Encounter between British troops and citizens of Boston Patriots antagonized British troops, who were quartered in Boston to discourage demonstrations against the Townshend Acts. British troops fired on the Patriots,killing 5 people

Thomas Paines Common Sense – Influenced by Enlightenment ideas about a limited, representative government. – He wrote in his pamphlet Common Sense that the colonists should no longer be the subjects of a distant monarch. Paine appealed to reason and natural laws. Paine appealed to reason and natural laws. *His ideas were widely read in the colonies in *His ideas were widely read in the colonies in The Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence Influenced by Locke and other Enlightenment Thinkers. Influenced by Locke and other Enlightenment Thinkers.

The Constitution Also influenced by the Enlightenment thinkers Also influenced by the Enlightenment thinkers – Rousseau (Social Contract with government) – Montesquieu (Separation of Powers) – Locke (Protection of Rights) Impact of the American Revolution Impact of the American Revolution America stood as symbol of freedom to both Europe and Latin America. America stood as symbol of freedom to both Europe and Latin America. U.S. created the most liberal government of its time. Other nations would copy the ideas in this government. U.S. created the most liberal government of its time. Other nations would copy the ideas in this government. Success soon inspires global changes as other people challenge the power of absolute monarchs. Success soon inspires global changes as other people challenge the power of absolute monarchs.