What do you believe caused the American Revolution? Jot down some ideas at the top of your paper and be ready to discuss

Larger imperial conflict between France and England English and French colonists moving into each others’ territories- Ohio River Valley Despite the victory, brought trouble for Britain Expense- unwelcome taxes on the colonies Limitation of westward expansion

Created unity and separation from England No aristocracy Widespread property ownership Religious diversity Relative lack of poverty Lack of urban development Lack of deference Slavery

1754 Plan to place British North American colonies under more centralized leadership Feared possibility of attack Adopted but never implemented First American political cartoon published by Benjamin Franklin just before

Began 40 years before the revolution Molasses Act taxed rum, molasses and sugar- protecting English economic interests Colonists- protested and largely ignored (smuggling) British Response- Sugar Act Iron Act limit colonial iron manufacturing French and Indian War Proclamation Line of prevented colonial expansion past the Appalachians - stationed 10,000 troops to enforce. Colonists- angered because of investments; largely ignored British Response- Quebec Act- further limitation

Sugar Act taxed wine, coffee, textiles, dye- attempts to stop smuggling Colonists- protests- felt it violated English rights British enforcement- protecting economic interests Stamp Act required purchased stamp for all legal documents, almanacs, newspapers, pamphlets, playing cards, etc. First direct tax- broke principle that only local government could impose taxes Colonist response- boycotts, violence and protests British- unresponsive to colonial complaints Money spent in French and Indian War British tax burden

Quartering Act requires colonial governments to provide housing for British troops Colonists- frustration- indirect tax, didn’t think they needed protection British response- influx of troops to enforce taxes and stabilize frontier The Townsend Acts Glass, lead, paint, paper, tea- revenue funded colonial governors Colonists- boycotts, harassment, nonimportation acts British response Additional troops arrive in the colonies to enforce taxes

March 5, 1770 Mob of American colonists gathered at the Custom’s House- protesting British troops presence British soldiers fired on the crowd, killing 5, injuring 3 Colonial Reaction: Anger at direct act of violence- put soldiers on trial British Response: No longer allowed colonial courts to try British citizens/officers

1773- Parliament passes Tea Act- bi-pass American wholesale merchants December colonists disguised as Indians threw 342 crates of tea into Boston Harbor British responded harshly- Coercive (Intolerable)Acts- closed Boston harbor, required that British officials be tried in England, forbid town meetings, etc.

People of other colonies rushed to Boston’s defense- sending supplies to ease burden of blockade Other colonies formed provincial congresses to discuss action against England First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia- September 1774 Began organizing nationally against England

British Colonel Thomas Gage sends troops to seize rebel supplies at Concord, Massachusetts. Patriots get word- The Ride of Paul Revere Revere and Dawes sent warnings throughout the countryside Revere was captured, Dawes prevented from reaching Concord, but the word got through Next morning April 19, British arrive at Lexington- face 70 minutemen No one knows who fired the first shot- “Shot heard round the world” British Response- deployment of full military force