1. The Story of the American Revolution
Learning Target #7: I can evaluate whether or not the American Revolution was avoidable.
CASS 10.2

3. Taxation
British Government was having financial problems due to conflicts with France.
British Government decided to tax the colonists to make more money.
1764 Sugar Act
1765 Stamp Act
First time that the colonists were taxed directly by the British.
Colonists were upset. They had no “say” in the new taxes.
“Taxation without representation”

5. Colonists Push Back Stamp Act 1756 Stamp Act Congress
Stamps were the only way of communication
Huge Impact
Stamp Act Congress
Met to discuss how to solve the issue of the Stamp Act
Created a declaration of grievances
Complained about the unfair taxation without representation
“Sons of Liberty” put pressure on British merchants
Refused to pay taxes
Boycotted British goods
Stamp Act was repealed (gotten rid of)

7. Relationship
After the Stamp Act of 1765, the Colonists and the British Government became untrustworthy of one another.
Each side was suspicious of the other.
Colonists resented the British for taxing them without allowing them to have a say
British resented the colonists for fighting back and boycotting British goods.

9. Townshend Acts 1767
Series of taxes put on the Colonists by the British Government
Taxed tea, paper, paint, lead, glass
British collectors were stationed in the colonies
Specifically, stationed in major cities, such as Boston
Colonists rioted in Boston
British Government sent in the military to put down the riots
British troops remained in Boston for over a year

11. Boston Massacre
1770: Colonists in Boston were growing tired of the British military being stationed in their city
Colonists gathered in the city square where the British Military was stationed to voice their opinions
Colonists began throwing sticks and rocks at the British troops
Majority of the troops did not respond, did not fire their weapons
A few soldiers got annoyed and began to fire on the colonists
Killed 5 colonists
The soldiers were put on trial and were found Not Guilty of any crime

13. Tea
Tea Act of 1773
Yet another tax on goods that the colonists used daily
Taxed the colonists without their consent
Colonists were outraged, and gathered to plan a response.
Boston Tea Party
Colonists dressed as Native Americans destroyed 9,000 pounds worth of tea belonging to the British East India Company
Colonists threw the tea into Boston Harbor
Negatively affected the British Economy, lost thousands of pounds (British currency)
Coercive Acts
British response to the Boston Tea Party
All ports were closed until the colonists were able to pay back the money lost by the British Government

15. Enough is Enough
Colonists had no intentions of paying back the British Government
Began working on plans to rebel against Great Britain and declare their independence
July 4, 1776: Declaration of Independence was signed
Authored by Thomas Jefferson
Ideas borrowed from Locke, Rousseau, and other enlightenment thinkers
“Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness”
Rejection of the English Monarchy