1. Causes of the American Revolution
Why did the colonists in America revolt against the British government? vs

2. British Government vs. American Colonists
British-America was divided into 13 colonies
Each colony had its own gov’t but still had to obey British law
-Ex: Navigation Act – colonies could only trade with Brit., colonists had to pay tariffs (taxes on imports)
1754: France & Brit. fight French & Indian War (Seven Years War)
1763: Amer. colonies help Brit. win war but King & Parliament expect colonists to pay for war – fought in America
We agree!
Why us?
You guys pay for this war!!

3. Causes of the American Revolution
1764: Sugar Act: Lower tax on Brit. sugar
Effect: People don’t want to be forced to buy Brit. sugar
Cause #2:
1765: Stamp act: direct tax on all stamped documents
Colonists say violates natural rights, no taxation w/o
representation!
Effect: Colonists boycott Brit. goods, Brit. passes more taxes

4. The Bloody Massacre Describe what you see in the picture.
Who looks like the aggressor?
What do you think happened in the picture?

5. Cause #3:
1770: Boston Massacre – Brit. troops open fire on colonists who
are protesting the new taxes in Townshend Act
Cause #4:
1773:Tea Act (tax on Amer. tea only) & Boston Tea Party
(Colonists dump Brit. tea into Boston Harbor)
Effect: King George closes Boston Harbor
Cause #5:
1774: Intolerable Acts – 1.Quartering Act forces citizens to house
British troops. 2. Administration of Justice Act –Boston Massacre
trial moved from Boston to London

6. Effect: 7/4/1776: The Declaration of Independence is ratified
(approved), which leads to the American Revolution!