1. The causes of the american revolution 1754-1783

2. Causes of the American Revolution
Mercantilism
British used colonies as source of raw materials and markets for goods
colonies could not trade raw materials to any country but Great Britain or produce manufactured goods
This was meant to make the colonies rely on the British
British rarely enforce these laws (Salutary Neglect), and the colonies prospered
as a result, American colonists have a sense of independence (economic and political)

3. French and Indian War (1754- 1763)
War between British, French and Indian tribes over control of North America
Albany Plan of Union Benjamin Franklin’s proposal for colonial unity during war. Colonies do not want to give up freedoms and reject plan.
Treaty of Paris (1763) French kicked out of North America, and British become dominant world power

4. To provide territory to Indians, British announce Proclamation of 1763 limits colonists’ expansion to Appalachian Mts.
The impact of this is that the colonists feel they are being denied territory they help won, and they ignore the Proclamation and move west.
The British also decide to raise taxes on the colonies to pay for the war “No Taxation Without Representation!”
End to policy of salutary neglect

5. ‘No Taxation Without Representation’
Stamp Act (1765) tax on all paper goods (newspapers, playing cards, legal documents)
The colonists protested against this tax
Tar and feathered tax collectors
Stamp Act Congress unified action by colonies to resist tax
Stamp Act repealed by British Parliament in 1766

6. The colonists succeeded in getting the Stamp Act repealed by protesting. What lesson do you think they learned for future taxes that Parliament and the King would try to implement on the colonies? Answer in your notebook.

7. Townshend Act (1767)
tax on many goods King was trying to prove he could still tax the colonies
Colonists still protest all taxes are repealed EXCEPT tax on tea

8. Boston Massacre
In 1768, because of protests, the British sent troops to occupy Boston
The colonists agreed to boycott British goods
Lots of tension between soldiers and colonists in Boston as a result
Led to the “Boston Massacre” in March 1770

9. Do Now 1. Explain why King George III put taxes on the colonists.
2. What are some reasons why the colonists opposed taxes like the Stamp Act?
3. Explain how the Boston Massacre was an example of propaganda by the Sons of Liberty in influencing colonists’ attitude towards England.

10. Tea Act (1773)
King made tea widely available and cheap
Trying to get colonists to buy tea
Protests lead to the Boston Tea Party

11. Coercive Acts (1774)”Intolerable Acts”
Passed in response to the Boston Tea Party
King George III wanted to punish the colonies for the Boston Tea Party
Closed Boston Harbor no more trade
Allowed for quartering of soldiers in the homes of colonists
Many colonists believed war was inevitable now

12. First Continental Congress (1774)
Representatives from the colonies met in Philadelphia to discuss how the colonies should respond to the Intolerable Acts
Why Philadelphia?
How should they respond?
Ask king for repeal of the Intolerable Acts
Boycott of British goods
Colonies should keep in touch about how to deal with these problems
Agree to meet in 1 yr if their demands aren’t met by King George III

13. Why did the colonies declare independence?
1775 King declares colonies are in a state of rebellion
 Second Continental Congress
Meet to deal with the crisis
Organize an army George Washington named General of Continental Army
Olive Branch Petition last attempt to reconcile with the King
1775—Battle of Lexington & Concord
1776—Battle of Bunker Hill
July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence

14. The Declaration of Independence
Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson
Influenced by Enlightenment ideals (reason)
Influenced by John Locke “life, liberty, property”, natural rights
Government must protect natural rights or be overthrown
Purpose
Explain reasons for revolt
Express people’s natural rights
Convince other nations to help (ex. France)

15. Foundations of the Revolution
Democratic Ideals (Democracy = Rule by the people)
Ancient Greeks direct democracy (Athens)
English history development of democracy
1. Magna Carta (1215)
First time limits were put on the King’s power
2. Glorious Revolution (1689)
Turned King into a constitutional monarch (Parliament has more power)
3. English Bill of Rights (1689)
Certain rights and freedoms are guaranteed

16. Foundations of the Revolution
The Enlightenment
1. John Locke (1680s) influenced Declaration of Independence
Said all people have natural rights, gov’t should protect those rights
2. Thomas Paine (1776) wrote “Common Sense”
Said it didn’t make sense that the colonists should be ruled by a king
Paine wrote in simple language to encourage people to support independence

17. The Revolutionary War 1776-1783
1776 George Washington loses several battles to the British (Boston, New York)
New strategy avoid battles, wait for good opportunities
If the war lasts long, hopefully the British will get tired of war and grant U.S. independence

18. Turning Point of the War
1777 Battle of Saratoga
The Americans defeat the British in a major battle
Allows Benjamin Franklin to negotiate an alliance with France (they think America can win the war)
France will give military and monetary assistance to the United States

19. End of the War
In 1781, the French and Americans surround the major British army at Yorktown, Virginia
Gen. Cornwallis
The British surrender, and agree to negotiate a peace treaty

20. The Treaty of Paris, 1783 The United States gets a favorable treaty
Great Britain grants colonies independence
United States gains all land to the Mississippi River
Great Britain promises to remove all their troops from U.S.

21. Wrap Up
1. What were some historical events that influenced the American Revolution?
2. Why was the French alliance important during the Revolutionary War?
3. Why was the Treaty of Paris favorable to the United States?