1. Introduction to the American Revolution King George III General George Washington VS

2. Tensions Rise To the British, the colonies existed to enhance the power of the Empire – they were both a source of raw materials, and a market for British goods. To the British, the colonies existed to enhance the power of the Empire – they were both a source of raw materials, and a market for British goods. Boston in 1646 The British Empire personified.

3. However, some colonists had entirely different motives. Many, of course, put their own interests before those of the Empire. However, some colonists had entirely different motives. Many, of course, put their own interests before those of the Empire. They had little interest in sacrificing their own economic development for that of the Empire, and began to bristle at increasing levels of British control. They had little interest in sacrificing their own economic development for that of the Empire, and began to bristle at increasing levels of British control. A Sons of Liberty woodcut that was ubiquitous among the colonies. The Sons of Liberty tar and feather a British tax official.

4. New Policies Britain introduced measures that favoured its own economic interests over those of the colonies. Britain introduced measures that favoured its own economic interests over those of the colonies. Trade and Navigation Act 1651: All goods shipped between England and the colonies had to be carried in ships built either in England or in the colonies. Trade and Navigation Act 1651: All goods shipped between England and the colonies had to be carried in ships built either in England or in the colonies. Enumerated commodities: Specific colonial products that could be shipped only to Britain (tobacco, cotton, indigo, sugar). Enumerated commodities: Specific colonial products that could be shipped only to Britain (tobacco, cotton, indigo, sugar). “Broken voyage” American ships returning from Europe were forced to stop at the English port to pay a duty on the goods they had purchased. “Broken voyage” American ships returning from Europe were forced to stop at the English port to pay a duty on the goods they had purchased. Molasses Act 1733: Favoured sugar plantation owners in the British West Indies by putting a tax on the importation of sugar and molasses from the colonies. Molasses Act 1733: Favoured sugar plantation owners in the British West Indies by putting a tax on the importation of sugar and molasses from the colonies. Woolen Act 1732: Forbade the colonies to export woolen goods. Woolen Act 1732: Forbade the colonies to export woolen goods. Hat Act 1732: Made it illegal for hatmakers to sell their goods outside the colonies. Hat Act 1732: Made it illegal for hatmakers to sell their goods outside the colonies. Iron Act 1750: Restricted the manufacture of iron. Iron Act 1750: Restricted the manufacture of iron.

5. Salutary Neglect While taking measures to restrict the development of the colonial economy, Britain followed a policy of salutary neglect (non-interference), which allowed the colonists to govern their own affairs. While taking measures to restrict the development of the colonial economy, Britain followed a policy of salutary neglect (non-interference), which allowed the colonists to govern their own affairs. The House of Burgesses, (the first elected body in the New World) in Jamestown, Virginia.

6. First of all, the colonies were 3,000 miles away! It was very difficult for the British to exert control on people so far away. First of all, the colonies were 3,000 miles away! It was very difficult for the British to exert control on people so far away. Second of all, many British revenue officers didn’t bother to go to America; they sent deputies who often didn’t take their duties seriously. Second of all, many British revenue officers didn’t bother to go to America; they sent deputies who often didn’t take their duties seriously. Over the years, colonists became accustomed to avoiding British laws. In order to avoid taxes and other restrictions, colonial ships resorted to widespread smuggling. Over the years, colonists became accustomed to avoiding British laws. In order to avoid taxes and other restrictions, colonial ships resorted to widespread smuggling. Smugglers landing at Shoreham, New York.

7. Treaty of Paris, 1763 After defeating the French in North America, Great Britain was able to focus its attention on further development of the colonies. After defeating the French in North America, Great Britain was able to focus its attention on further development of the colonies. The British victory on the Plains of Abraham, Quebec.

8. However, Britain had run up a massive war debt. To Britain, it was obvious that the colonies should help alleviate this massive debt. However, Britain had run up a massive war debt. To Britain, it was obvious that the colonies should help alleviate this massive debt. However, colonists reacted to increased taxes with resentment, and some began to see the British as exploiting the colonies for their own ends. However, colonists reacted to increased taxes with resentment, and some began to see the British as exploiting the colonies for their own ends. Protest against the Stamp Act