Causes and Events Leading to the American Revolution

1. Causes and Events Leading to the American Revolution 1763 to 1774

2. Mercantilism (1600s-1700s) England required the colonists to sell them cheap raw materials Colonists were required to buy expensive manufactured goods Navigation Acts (Laws) 1660s-1740s Trade mainly with England Use ships made in England or the colonies Pay taxes in England for things bought in other countries Colonists could not have their own businesses that competed with England’s English Policies

3. The French and Indian War • 1754 to 1763 • Great Britain and colonists fought against France and the Native Americans • Great Britain won the war • Huge debt (England owes a lot of money) • King George III and Parliament create TAXES

4. Causes of the American Revolution

5. Boycott: to refuse to buy No Taxation without representation: colonies did not like being taxed because they had no representation in the English Parliament (they did not vote) Loyalist: Someone who is loyal to the king and is against independence Patriot: Someone who supports independence Vocabulary

6. Proclamation Line of 1763 • Description: Colonists were not allowed to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. • Colonial Reaction: crossed anyway

7. Sugar Act 1764 • Description: This act placed a tax on sugar and molasses • Colonial Reaction: Colonists smuggled

8. Stamp Act 1765 • Description: This act required revenue stamps for newspapers, playing cards, books, and any written material. • Colonial Reaction: Boycott and Sons of Liberty would tar and feather stamp sellers

10. Example of a Primary Source

11. SONS OF LIBERTY Example of a primary source • Started by Samuel Adams • In 1765 • Group of patriots • Organized boycotts and protests in the colonies

12. Stamp Act Congress 1765 • Colonists meet in New York to organize a boycott of all British goods • Colonial efforts were successful • England REPEALED (TOOK AWAY) the Stamp Act

13. Quartering Act 1765 • Description: Colonists were required to quarter (house and feed British soldiers in their homes) • Colonial reaction: angry, said it was unfair • Today: 3rd Amendment to Constitution does not allow this

14. Townshend Acts 1767 • Description: This act placed a tax on lead, paint, paper, tea, and glass. Writs of assistance (Warrants that allowed soldiers to search colonists’ homes) • Colonial Reaction: Boycott; colonists upset

15. Colonial boycott was a success England REPEALED the Townshend Acts except for the tax on tea 1768 England sends 5,000 British troops to Boston, Massachusetts Townshend Acts

16. Boston Massacre 1770 • Description: March 5, 1770 • 5 colonists were killed by British soldiers • Colonists started telling things and throwing snowballs to British guard • Colonial Reaction: British seen as the enemy; incident unites the colonists

17. Engraving created by Paul Revere Example of a Primary Source

18. Example of a Primary Source

19. Committees of Correspondence 1772 • Samuel Adams organized these groups to help keep the colonies informed about British actions

20. Tea Act 1773 • Description: This act required colonists to buy tea from only one company (British east India Company) • Colonial Reaction: Boston Tea Party

21. Boston Tea Party • Description: December 16, 1773 • Sons of Liberty dressed up as Mohawk Indians • Dump 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor • Colonial Reaction: Colonists are united

22. Boston Tea Party 1773

24. Coercive or Intolerable Acts 1774 • Description: punished Massachusetts for Boston Tea Party • No trading (Boston port closed) • No self-government • Military rule (army in charge) • English officers will be tried in England • Colonial Reaction: First Continental Congress

25. First Continental Congress 1774 • Description: A meeting of the colonies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Colonial Reaction: • Form militias • Continue boycotts • Help Boston