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Causes of the American Revolution
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End of the French and Indian War
At the end of the French and Indian War the French had lost all of the land in North America and colonists began to settle in the Ohio river valley. The British won the war but were left with a huge war debt. This would lead to taxing the colonies which would cause problems with the colonists later on. -
The Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was a document that limited the expansion to the west of the colonies. The King told the colonists that if they moved west he would not be able to protect them, so he wouldn't allow them to cross the Appalachian Mountains (the proclamation line). The colonists got angry with the king because they believed that if they fought for the land they should be able to settle on it. -
Sugar Act
Sugar Act:
S-Sweet things taxed (like sugar and molasses).
U-Unhelpful to smugglers.
G-Gain only for England.
A-Act passed by Parliament in 1764.
R-Revenue helps pay off England's debt. A-Angered colonists decided to fight back for the first time.
C-Colonists protested, complained, and wrote petitions in response to the act.
T-"Taxation without representation is tyranny!" (act started this) -
Quartering Act
Dear William,
Last night a British soldier demanded he be let into our house, fed and cared for. This must be that new Quartering Acts I've been hearing about. There are so many new acts I cannot keep up. This one says that soldiers can choose to stay in any home they want and we have to take care of them. It is not my job to take care of them! My rights have been violated and I don't want them here. I have to deal with it though. Please try to come home soon. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was passed in 1765. This act taxed diplomas, contracts, newspapers, and even playing cards! To tax these things the act said that all colonists had to buy an extra stamp with all paper goods. The colonists felt that this was another unfair tax because they had no input in it. Many colonists decided to boycott these goods in response to the act. The act also helped form the Sons of Liberty. -
Townshend Act
The Townshed Act in 1767 said that colonists would not be taxed for goods in the colonies, but would be taxed for imports including lead, tea, glass and more. To enforce this, British custom officials were allowed to search ships without reason by having a Writ of Assistance. Colonists were very angry with this because it didn't change anything. They were still being taxed! As a reaction, some colonists decided to smuggle goods into the colonies and reduce the imports to the colonies. -
Boston Massacre
Dear Diary,
Yesterday, after supper, I heard yelling and ran outside to see a mob of colonists yelling and throwing rocks and snow balls at eight British soldiers. The soldiers had guns, but Captain Preston was yelling not to fire.The colonists yelled and taunted the soldiers, and then one solider fell to the ground. The confused soldier fired his gun, and then the others began to fire randomly. When the smoked cleared five colonists layed dead. People are calling it the Boston Massacre -
Tea Act
T-Taxed tea.
E-England chooses who can and cannot sell tea.
A-Act was passed by Parliament in 1773. Made colonists very mad. A-Act said tea must be imported from the British East India Company.
C-Causes a tea monopoly for Britain.
T-Tea taxed at three pence a pound. -
Boston Tea Party
Dear diary,
I am filled with joy! Parliament passed the tea act not long ago, but this time we fought back! Last night, after a town meeting, some of the men snuck onto the British tea ships dressed as Mohawk Indians. They then dumped all of the tea on the ships overboard into the harbor. The event was led by the Sons of Liberty and people are saying that the 342 containers dumped overboard were worth about 10,000 pounds. That should teach King George III a lesson about unfair taxation! -
Coercive/Intolerable Acts
Dear colonists,
As a member of the Committees of Correspondence, I inform you about the new Coercive Acts, however many people are calling them the Intolerable Acts. These acts state that the Boston harbor will be closed until all of the tea wasted at the Boston Tea Party is paid for. They have also banned town meetings and stated that all trials will be moved to Britain. Finally, these acts are strengthening the Quartering Act. This is truly unfair to us, the Americans. We must fight back! -
The First Continental Congress
The first Continental Congress was a very important event. Representatives from all of the colonies except Georgia attended the meeting. The meeting took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the people there discussed what to do in response to the British acts. They ended up demanding the repeal of the Intolerable acts and the right to tax and govern themselves and they decided to get ready for war, by training militias, boycotting British goods, and meeting again in May, 1775. -
Paul Revere's Ride
Dear Diary,
Last night I had a first hand account of truly amazing events. Dr. Joseph Warren sent me, Paul Revere, to Lexington to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams that the regulars (British) were coming. I warned everyone along the way too by yelling "The regulars are coming!" I found out how the British were coming by lanterns in the Old North Church. William Dawes and Samuel Prescott also helped. We finally were captured, but the rebels were already ready to fight the Red coats. -
Lexington and Concord
The battle at Lexington and Concord was called the "Shot Heard 'round the world" because it had a huge impact on the world. British troops wanted to seize the rebel's munitions, but the rebels found out and were ready to fight back when the British got there. 77 minutemen fought against the British soldiers. Many shots were fired and 8 farmers died. This began the war and it was the first time it was soldiers versus soldiers.
