1. Causes of the American Revolution Objective 1.03 Examine the causes of the American Revolution

2. Key Points  Discontent with foreign rule  Mercantilism  Tradition of self-government  Preservation of civil liberties  No Taxation without representation

3. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut  January, 1638  Described the structure and powers of the government set up by the Connecticut River Towns  Considered the first written Constitution in the Americas  Included the idea of the “Separation of Church and State” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_orders_of_connecticut

4. Favorable Balance of Trade  The difference between the $ amount of goods exported (sent to other countries) as opposed to the $ amount of those imported (brought in from other countries)  A favorable balance of trade means that the $ amount of goods you export is more than the $ amount of goods you import.

5. Salutary Neglect  No strict enforcement of trade regulations and Parliamentary Laws.  There were many acts or regulations put in place but none of these were enforced.  The cost of the “Seven Years War” and King George III pushed England towards a stricter enforcement of trade laws. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salutary_neglect

6. Navigation Acts 1660  The Navigation Acts required all European goods bound for America (or other colonies) to be shipped through England, and had to be carried in English vessels (ships).  Some goods had to be unloaded inspected and a tax paid on them before going on to another country.  This increased the cost and the shipping time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navigation_Acts

7. John Peter Zenger  Was put on trial for libel (saying things that are not true about someone) and sedition against the Governor of the New York Colony in 1735  He was found innocent because the articles he had printed were based on fact  “No nation, ancient or modern, ever lost the liberty of speaking freely, writing, or publishing their sentiments, but forthwith lost their liberty in general and became slaves” John Peter Zenger. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Peter_Zenger

8. Albany Plan of Union  1754  Representatives from Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.  Tried to plan a defense against the French and better relations with the Indians.  Treaty with the tribes represented: failed to secure peace  Earliest attempt at forming a union between the colonies http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albany_plan_of_union

9. The French and Indian War  Called the “Seven Years War” in the rest of the world. 1754 – 1763  Fought between France and England  England won, making it the most powerful nation on earth.  England got Canada out of the treaty.  The war was very costly because it was fought all over the planet.

10. Proclamation of 1763  Forbade colonists from acquiring land (settling or buying) West of the Appalachian Mountains.  Gave the British Crown a monopoly on all land purchases from the American Indians.

11. The Stamp Act of 1765  March 22, 1765: Required all legal documents, permits, commercial contracts, newspapers, wills, pamphlets, and playing cards to have a stamp placed on them to show that a tax had been paid.  The Act was repealed on March 18, 1766 due to the resistance met in the colonies and the difficulty in enforcing it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamp_Act_1765

12. Stamp Act Congress  Held in New York in October 1765.  Delegates adopted a Declaration of Rights and Grievances and sent letters (petitions) to the King.  First “American” action seen as a precursor of the revolution.

13. Declaratory Act  1766: it was part of a series of resolutions that attempted to regulate the “behavior of the colonies.”  Stated that Parliament had “full power and authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of America.” (Taxes?)  Response to “No Taxation without Representation” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaratory_Act

14. “Sons of Liberty”  Secret organization of American patriots.  Referred to as the "Sons of Violence" and "Sons of Iniquity." by British Loyalists.  Resists the unfair practices of the British Crown with acts of protest and mob violence. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sons_of_Liberty

15. The Tea Act  Allowed the East India Company to sell tea to the colonies directly and without paying certain taxes.  This “tax break” allowed them to sell their tea for much lower prices.  This hurt colonial merchants and smugglers financially.

16. Writs of Assistance  General “Search Warrant”  Normally used in customs and excise (tax) inspections.  Authorized an officer to search any person or place and did not expire.

17. Boston Tea Party  December 16, 1773  The night before the tea was to be unloaded, the “Sons of Liberty” dressed up as Indians, and went to Griffin's Wharf.  Casks of tea were brought up on deck opened and dumped overboard.  90,000 lbs (45 tons) of tea estimated @ £10,000  “Tea washed up on the shores around Boston for weeks.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_tea_party

18. Boston Massacre  5 people killed when an angry mob cornered British troops.  Subsequent trial found two soldiers guilty of manslaughter.  Captain Thomas Preston was acquitted  Used by patriots as propaganda against Britain and it’s polices.

19. The Coercive Acts  Referred to as the “Intolerable Acts” by many colonists.  A group of five acts passed by Parliament in 1774.  In direct response to the “Boston Tea Party” (Except for the Quebec Act)

20. The Coercive Acts  Boston Port Act: Closed the port of Boston  Massachusetts Government Act: limited town meetings.  Administration of Justice Act: Movement of the trials of British officials to England.  Quartering Act: house soldiers in any uninhabited building.  Quebec Act: Enlarged the boundaries of the Province of Quebec

21. Committees of Correspondence  “Rallied opposition on common causes and established plans for collective action”  formed the first major political union between the colonies.  They performed the planning that was necessary for the 1 st Continental Congress to take place. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committees_of_Correspondence

22. 1 st Continental Congress  Met in Philadelphia in 1774  Formed in response to the “Intolerable Acts”  The Articles of Association: organized an agreement to boycott certain goods throughout the colonies.  Boycott: to protest by an organized effort to NOT purchase certain goods/services  Sent letters of petition to George III  Planned a second meeting in May of 1775

23. Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”  January 1776  Denounced British rule  VERY popular  Contributed to the idea of Independence  Independence: The idea that America should govern itself without interference from Great Britain

24. Lexington and Concord  April 19, 1776, “Midnight Ride of Paul Revere”  The “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” was fired at Lexington.  The local militia was outnumbered and retreated.  Later in Concord at the “Old North Bridge” the local militia had enough soldiers to outnumber the British, and the British were forced to retreat back to Boston.

25. 2 nd Continental Congress  Met in May of 1775 - March 1781  Declared our Independence from Britain on July 2, 1776  Drafted the Declaration of Independence which was approved on July 4, 1776  Wrote the Articles of Confederation The first constitution of the United States in 1781.

26. Majority Rule  When faced with a decision, a group votes on which course/choice to make.  The choice that receives the most votes is then the course taken.  The Idea of Majority Rule is one of the foundations of American government