The American Revolution
Causes
French and Indian War Aka: Seven Year War Results Great Britain vs. France Fought over control of land and fur trading Colonists fought for the British > felt united against a common enemy France lost Canada & land East of Mississippi River Colonists develop land Population increases Women outnumber men … why?
King George III of England Refused to listen to colonists’ demands Issued Proclamation Line of 1763 Lands West of Appalachian Mtn. reserved for Native Americans Response by Natives? By colonists?
Proclamation of 1763
Taxation Colonists forced to pay taxes to ease British war debt Paid taxes without representation Sugar Act: tax on sugar, coffee, textiles, wine > effect on prices? Stamp Act: All official documents were taxed & money used to pay British soldiers in America Navigation Act: restrict colonial trade with British
Boston Massacre Based on the title & visual, how would you describe this event?
Colonial Resentment Sons of Liberty Boston Massacre Samuel Adams led group of those opposed to British Led attacks on British & urged boycotting British goods (i.e. Boston Tea Party after Tea Tax) Boston Massacre British troop presence increased Mar. 1770 a mob taunted British troops by throwing rocks & snow > troops fired shoots & 3 colonists died
American Leaders Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin Author of Declaration of Independence Benjamin Franklin Went to Europe to gain support (& money) for colonists Thomas Paine (Common Sense)
The Course of the War
British Advantages Better army and navy (best in the world) Financially secure Local support from loyalists
American Advantages Home-field advantage Motivation to win → Independence Many European nations supported colonists George Washington – brilliant strategist & military leader who tried to draw out the war to make it expensive for Britain
Colonist Propaganda
Effects
Treaty of Paris Treaty signed that recognized independence of the United States Western border set at the Mississippi River Native American issues with borders
Effects for the British Lose colonies in New World Forced to search for new markets
Effects for the United States 25% of the population either dead or left the colonies No established government in place Westward expansion began
Other Issues Disputes over territory between the United States & Great Britain; United States & Spain France nearly bankrupt from helping the US Dutch navy destroyed