1. Causes of the American Revolution- Part I
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2. Following the French and Indian War…
Years of warfare and costs of maintaining an empire caused Britain to have an enormous national debt
The British government no longer wanted to give Native Americans gifts, causing relations between the two groups to sour

3. Pontiac’s Rebellion
After gift-giving halted, Native Americans unified in their common hatred of the white man and launched violent raids along the frontier

4. Proclamation of 1763
To avoid further problems with Native Americans, Britain made it illegal for Americans to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains
The law was hard to enforce and was largely ignored by settlers

5. British Forces In America
After the French and Indian War, Britain wanted 10,000 troops stationed on the American frontier to protect colonists against further Indian attacks

6. Sugar Act of 1764
To help pay for the British troops in America, Britain taxed colonists
The Sugar Act placed a 3 pence per gallon tax on molasses (used to make rum)
Only affected rum manufacturers, so protests were minimal

7. Writs of Assistance
Illegal smuggling of rum (without paying taxes) was a major problem for the British Empire
Writs of assistance made it legal for customs officers to search any ship suspected of smuggling for any reason
Colonists thought this law was unfair and a violation of their rights

8. Stamp Act
To pay for more of the troop cost, Britain enacted another tax
Distributors were hired to sell stamps that would be placed on all paper products
Examples of taxed products: wills, mortgages, licenses, diplomas, playing cards

9. Why Did The Stamp Act Cause Massive Protest?
Affected every colonist directly (unlike Sugar Act)
Poor colonists felt like they were already struggling
Law breakers would go to a royal court without a jury

10. Boston The city of Boston was the center of patriot activity
People in Boston were radical, violent, and protested all forms of British taxation
The location of several key events leading up to the Revolutionary War

11. A political group made up of patriots, who protested British laws and taxes
Made use of the written word and coordinated actions to protest British tyranny
Sons of Liberty

12. Methods of Protest Effigy Tar and feathering Mob violence
Non-importation Agreements
Written word