1. Causes of the American Revolution

2. The Proclamation Line of 1763
What it did: Banned all settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains
Purpose: prevent future conflict with Natives
How colonists reacted: Made the colonists angry because they felt like the British government did not care about their needs (more land/space)
It was extremely hard to enforce so many colonists ignored it and moved west anyways

3. British Economic Policy
In 1651, Parliament (the legislative branch in Great Britain) passed the Navigation Acts as part of their policy of mercantilism
These laws said These laws made sure that the colonies could only trade with Great Britain
Great Britain received all of the profits of the colonies

4. British Economic Policy
During 1700s, Great Britain was busy fighting France in Europe and began the policy of salutary neglect in the colonies
Salutary neglect was the policy of rarely or loosely enforcing British laws in the colonies (such as the Navigation Acts)
Effects:
- Colonists were able to build their own trade networks and govern themselves (House of Burgesses, Town meetings)
- Many port cities became profitable locations for smugglers

5. Economic Issues in Britain
After all of the fighting with France, Great Britain was in debt and owed a lot of money
War is extremely expensive, and GB had fought A LOT of wars with France
Taxes and unemployment were extremely high in Great Britain

6. The End of Salutary Neglect
After the French and Indian War ended, salutary neglect also ended and British officials began cracking down on smuggling in the colonies
Great Britain expected the colonies to help pay their share of the debt and Parliament began taxing the colonists by passing a series of Acts (laws)

7. The Sugar Act (1764) Purpose: raise money to help pay war debts
What it was: indirect tax on sugar which made it more expensive to produce rum. Also created new courts for smuggling cases.
How colonists reacted: ignored the law and continued smuggling

8. The Stamp Act (1765)
Purpose: raise money to help pay war debts and replace Sugar Act
What it said: required colonists to buy special stamped paper for all paper products making them more expensive
Ex. Legal documents, newspapers, playing cards
Stamp Act affected every colonist (not just merchants)

9. Reaction #1: The Sons of Liberty
Secret resistance group
Led by Samuel Adams & John Hancock
Harassed British colonial officials, sometimes to the point of violence, and destroyed British goods

10. Reaction #2: The Stamp Act Congress
Delegates from 9 colonies met in NYC of Oct. 1765
Said “no taxation without representation”
First time the colonies united as one

11. Reaction #3: Colonists Boycotted British goods
This means they refused to buy British products
March Parliament repealed the Stamp Act
Passed the Declaratory Act, which said Parliament could pass any law it wanted to

12. The Townshend Acts (1767)
Purpose: raise money to help pay war debts and replace the unpopular Stamp Act
What they were: Tax on imported materials like glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea (most popular drink in the colonies)

13. Reactions Colonists again boycotted British goods
Daughters of Liberty formed. They helped the boycott by making their own clothes, tea, etc.
Merchants continued to smuggle in goods from other countries

14. Tensions Between Colonists and British Intensify (1768)
John Hancock accused of smuggling wine on his ship, The Liberty
Riots broke out in Boston and British customs agents were attacked
In response, the British sent 2,000 soldiers, referred to as Redcoats because of their uniforms, to Boston to protect the customs agents

15. The Boston Massacre (1770) Mob gathered outside the customs house
taunted and threw things at the guard on duty so more troops showed up
The soldiers opened fire
5 people were killed

16. The Boston Massacre (1770)
Sons of Liberty labeled it “The Boston Massacre”
Claimed it was a bloody attack on defenseless citizens to turn colonists against the British

17. Committees of Correspondence (1773)
What: Communication networks linking the colonies
Why:
Allowed colonists to stay up-to- date on British activity in other colonies
United colonies together

18. Tea Act (1773)
Purpose: prevent the British East India Tea Company from going out of business
What it said: Colonial merchants had to pay a tax on tea

19. Reaction: The Boston Tea Party (1773)
Boston rebels disguised themselves as Native Americans and boarded 3 British tea ships
Dumped thousands of pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor

20. Intolerable Acts (1774) Purpose: Punishment for Boston Tea Party
What they did:
Shut down Boston Harbor
Quartering Act- British soldiers could be housed in private homes
Boston placed under martial law (control of an area by military forces rather than local police)
Colonial assembly in Boston was disbanded (could no longer meet)

21. Reaction: First Continental Congress (1774)
Delegates from all 13 colonies met in Philadelphia to demand rights from Great Britain
Drafted the Declaration of Colonial Rights
Agreed to meet again in May if their demands weren’t met