Causes (Grievances) and Effects of the American Revolution

Mercantilism American Colonists got tired of giving all their resources to England (Mother Country). England wouldn’t let the colonist trade with any other countries. England was the only country that the colonists could buy goods from.

Proclamation of 1763 Colonists were forbidden to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. Why would this make the Colonists angry? Because they wanted to farm the fertile Ohio River Valley.

Quartering Act of 1765 Colonists were forced to house or “quarter” British soldiers in their homes.

Sugar Act of 1764 Parliament passed the Sugar Act. This law placed a tax on sugar, molasses… The Colonists cried out, “Taxation without Representation”.

The Stamp Act of 1765 This law required all legal and commercial documents to carry an official stamp showing that a tax had been paid. Colonial merchants organized boycotts. A boycott is a refusal to buy. Samuel Adams formed the Sons of Liberty. They organized boycotts, burned stamped paper, burned British tax officials with hot tar, then feathered them. Also responsible for the Boston Tea Party.

Townshend Acts of 1767 The British suspended New York’s assembly until the Colonists agreed to quarter British troops. To enforce the these Acts, the British used “writs of assistance”, or search warrants to search for smuggled goods.

The Boston Massacre In 1770, the Boston Colonists were throwing snowballs at the British Soldiers because of the Townshend Acts. The British Soldiers shot back at the Colonists killing five colonists, including Crispus Attucks, a black man. Crispus was the first casualty of the American Revolution.

The Tea Act 1773 British placed a tax on American Tea. A group of men disguised as Native Americans dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor destroying the King’s Tea. This is known as the Boston Tea Party

The Intolerable Acts of 1774 King George III was so angry about the Boston Tea Party that he passed a series of laws known as the Intolerable Acts. Boston Harbor would be closed until the tea was paid for. Disallowed assemblies Britain to house troops wherever necessary British officials accused of crimes would be tried in England, and not in America.

The First Continental Congress The Intolerable Acts was the breaking point for the American Colonists. In 1774, delegates formed the First Continental Congress. Is America ready for independence and war?