1. “The Road to Revolution” Causes of the American Revolution Notes

2. The Thirteen Colonies

3. Effects of the French and Indian War  The British were in debt because of the war.  The best and fastest way for them to gain revenue (money) is through taxes!  The British decided to begin taxing the American colonies because they believed that because the war was fought mostly in America then they should pay for it!

4. 1764 Sugar Act

5. Sugar Act 1764 Sugar Act placed a tax on sugar, molasses, and other products shipped to the colonies.

6. Sugar Act 1764 Reaction of colonists: –Colonists are upset because laws were made in Parliament and they had no representation. “TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION”- the colonists had no voice –Boycott (not buy) sugar and molasses –Committees of Correspondence: colonies shared ideas & information with other colonial towns about British laws and ways to challenge them.

7. Reaction to the Sugar Act

8. 1765 Quartering Act

9. Quartering Act 1765 Britain decided to keep some troops in the colonies after the French and Indian War. The Quartering Act required the colonists to house the British soldiers and provide them with supplies.

10. 1765 Stamp Act

11. Britain passes the Stamp Act, a tax law requiring colonists to purchase special stamped paper for printed items.

12. Stamp Act 1765  Reaction of colonists:  Colonists boycott British goods.  Sons of Liberty form.  They harassed tax collectors and burned stamp paper to protest taxes  Samuel Adams was the leader

15. Stamp Act 1765  Reaction of colonists:  Stamp Act Resolves  Introduced by Patrick Henry and George Johnston  Passed by Virginia’s House of Burgesses  Stated that only Virginia had the power to pass taxes on its citizens.

17. Stamp Act 1765 Reaction of Britain: –To avoid more conflict, Parliament took away (repealed) the Stamp Act in 1766.

18. 1766 Declaratory Act

19. Declaratory Act 1766 The act declared that Parliament could make laws for the colonies “in all cases whatsoever”. – Wanted to show they were still in control of the colonies.

20. …the said colonies and plantations in America have been, are, and of right ought to be, subordinate unto, and dependent upon the imperial crown and Parliament of Great Britain; and…Parliament…hath…full power and authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of America, subjects of the crown of Great Britain, in all cases whatsoever. --Declaratory Act, 1764 Declaratory Act 1766

21. 1767 Townshend Acts

22. Britain taxes many goods brought into the colonies (imports): glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea Writs of Assistance (search warrants) would be used by British officials to check colonists’ homes and businesses for smuggled goods.

23. Townshend Acts 1767  Reaction of colonists:  Colonists protest “no taxation without Representation”.  Sons of Liberty organized protests and boycotts of British goods.  Daughters of Liberty make their own cloth and other products so people can use American made.  Trade with Britain fell sharply- smuggling (illegal trade) was at all time high.

24. Townshend Acts 1767  Reaction of Britain:  Troops are sent to the colonies.  1,000 troops arrive in Boston in 1768

25. 1770 Boston Massacre

26. Boston Massacre 1770  British troops stationed in Boston, MA are taunted by an angry mob at the Custom House. The troops fire into the crowd, killing five men.

27. Boston Massacre 1770 Reaction of colonists: –Colonists label conflict as a “massacre”. –Paul Revere makes engraving to turn public opinion against the British.

29. Boston Massacre 1770 Reaction of Britain: –Townshend Acts were repealed by Parliament that same year to avoid more conflict.

30. 1773 Tea Act

31. Tea Act 1773 A tax was placed on tea. Colonists could only buy tea from the British East India Tea Company.

32. Tea Act 1773 Reaction of colonists: –S–Sons of Liberty organize the Boston Tea Party December 16, 1773, a group of men dressed as Indians boarded the East India Tea Company ships in the Boston Harbor and tossed over 15,000 pounds of tea into the water. They were protesting “Taxation without Representation”.

34. Reaction of Britain: –Parliament passes the Intolerable Acts as punishment.

35. 1774 Coercive Acts “Intolerable Acts”

36. Coercive/Intolerable Acts 1774 Nicknamed by the colonists “intolerable” King George III and Parliament tighten control: –Boston Harbor was closed –Massachusetts’ legislature was not allowed to meet –a new quartering act was passed –a new governor was put in charge –some of Massachusetts’ land was taken away –British officials in the colonies were given free reign to do whatever was necessary to regain control.

37. …That from and after the first day of June, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-four, it shall not be lawful for any person or persons whatsoever to lade put, or cause or procure to be laden or put, off or from any quay, wharf, or other place, within the said town of Boston, or in or upon any part of the shore of the bay, commonly called The Harbour of Boston…, within the said bay or headlands, into any ship, vessel, lighter, boat, or bottom, any goods, wares, or merchandise whatsoever, to be transported or carried into any other country, province or place whatsoever, or into any other part of the said province of the Massachuset’s Bay… --Boston Port Act, March 31, 1774 Coercive/Intolerable Acts 1774

38. Reaction of colonists: –Colonial leaders decide it is time to do something so they set up the First Continental Congress in 1774- leaders from each colony will get together to discuss problems.