The American Revolution What Were the Causes?

Early Troubles By the middle of the 18th century differences in social customs, religious beliefs, and economic interests developed between Britain and it’s colonies.

Trade Britain relied on mercantilism but did not strongly enforce their trade laws. The colonies developed with little interference from Britain.

Taxes In 1763 the French and Indian Wars ended with the Treaty of Paris. The threat to the colonies was lifted. In 1764 the tax on sugar and molasses was levied and concerned merchants and rum makers.

The Stamp Tax In 1765 the Stamp Tax was passed and it required all newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, commercial bills, ads and other papers bear a stamp. The cost of this stamp was designated for colonial defense.

The Stamp Tax The Stamp tax roused a violent outcry. This was lead by the merchants, lawyers and newspaper publishers because they were affected directly. There was a threat of boycott and refusal to import English goods. The Stamp Act was repealed but parliament passed a new act stating they could tax the colonies.

The Stamp Tax Many felt that taxing the colonies without allowing them to represent themselves in parliament was a tyranny. The situation was made worse in 1767 with the Townshend Acts which taxed a number of imports

The Stamp Tax The Act placed a tax on imports of glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea so that the British could collect the revenue. Many protested. Boston merchants boycotted English goods. Britain sent troops to maintain the order of this new law.

The Boston Massacre The British troops were constantly being harassed and tormented by gangs. On March 5, 1770 the troops fired into a crowd and killed five men. The Captain and his troops were charged for murder.

The Boston Tea Party The boycotts significantly decreased Britain's trade with the colonies. In 1770 most of the acts were repealed - on all but tea…

The Boston Tea Party Britain kept the tax on tea for two reasons. The first was symbolic of their right to tax the colonies. The second was to give the East India Company financial help.

The Boston Tea party The colonists convinced New York and Philadelphia to refuse the tea. Three tea ships docked in Boston harbour but Gov. Thomas Hutchinson would not let them leave until they paid the duties.

The Boston Tea Party A group of colonists lead by Samuel Adams and Paul Revere disguised themselves as Aboriginals and boarded the ships on the night of Dec. 16, They dumped the tea into the harbour. Parliament responded…

The Intolerable Acts In 1774 the British Government passed five laws limiting the political and geographical freedom of the colonists. American patriots names this set of laws the ‘Intolerable Acts.’ Four of the five laws were created to punish people for the Boston Tea Party.

The Intolerable Acts One of the laws closed the Boston harbour Port until they paid the East India Company for the lost goods. The colonies rejected all five laws and the opposition to the British parliament spread. Leaders and committees shared information to build unity.

The Continental Congress The colony representatives originally met to persuade Britain to recognize their rights. The option of reconciliation was rejected. Colonies refused to import British goods until the grievances were righted.

War On the morning of April 19th, 1775 shots were fired by British soldiers. Men were killed and a revolution had begun.