1. What is a revolution? Road to the Declaration

2. Why were the founders so irritated that they started a revolution? The American Revolution did not begin as a revolution Began as an irritation with British policies 1754-1763 French and Indian War/Seven Years War Hey 13 colonies, you’ve been running amuck and now its time to pay!” The colonies get fired up Played by their own rules while Britain was fighting wars in Europe

3. The Mother Country cracks down Proclamation of 1763: limits the growth of the colonies at the Appalachian Mountains We go where we want to! Series of acts taxing colonial goods Sugar, wine, coffee SUGAR RAGE!!! Writs of Assistance You’re violating our RIGHTS! (search & seizure) 1765: Stamp Act requires tax on all official documents No taxation without representation! –James Otis You can’t tax us if we aren’t represented in Parliament! 1765: Quartering Act Colonists must let soldiers live in their homes. British are “protecting them”

4. Boston becomes the center of tension 1770: The Boston Massacre Angry mob gathers to protest various acts (taxes) British soldiers fire into crowd 5 dead, 6 wounded So now you’ll just kill us! OUTRAGEOUS!

5. Let’s Party (with tea and costumes) 1773: Boston Tea Party Merchants dump British tea overboard They were protesting a tax on tea (known as the Tea Act)

6. Intolerable Acts (1774) Closed Boston Harbor to all trade…really, REALLY? More power to royal governor, limited town meetings, weakened court system (justice for colonists), authorized British troops to occupy colony