Causes of the Revolutionary War

Proclamation of 1763 Said: Colonists could not settle west of Appalachian Mountains and all settlers had to leave the Ohio River valley Reason: King George didn’t want to have to pay for any more fights with the Indians...too costly $$$ Colonists reaction: Ignored it and settled there anyway

Sugar Act - 1764 Tax on: sugar and molasses Reason: to raise money in the colonies (help pay for French and Indian War and keep standing army in colonies) Reaction of colonist leader James Otis: It’s not fair to tax us without asking us. “TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION IS TYRANNY.” How did the British try to cut down on smuggling? had to list all trade goods carried on ships, stop ans search ships for smuggled goods (searched by British navy)

Quartering Act - 1765 Said: NY colonists had to house and feed English soldiers New York’s reaction: NY’s assembly refused to house the troops How did Parliament change the colonists’ legal system? gave greater power to vice-admiralty courts, no juries and people were treated guilty until prove innocent The Committees of Correspondence were formed to: keep in touch with other towns and colonies; its members shared ideas and information about the new British laws and way to challenge them

In order to pay for the soldiers and the French and Indian War:

Stamp Act - 1765 Said: colonists had to pay for an official stamp, or seal, when they bought paper items showing a tax was paid (had to be paid in silver coin) Colonists were upset about it because it was Parliament’s first attempt to raise $ by taxing colonists directly Reaction of colonists to the Stamp Act: protested - refused to buy stamps, Sons of Liberty formed - used violence to frighten tax collectors, burned stamps The Stamp Act Congress: composed of delegates from 9 colonies, declared Stamp Act was a violation of their rights and liberties, sent petition to King In 1766 Parliament: repealed the Stamp Act (colonies thought they won and the king would let them have representation in Parliament)

Declaratory Act - 1766 Said: Parliament had the power to make laws for the colonies “in all cases” Colonist’s reaction: We’ll worry about it when they do something, stripped away much of their independence

We thought we had won and the King would let us have representation BUT...

Townshend Act - 1767 Said: 1. import tax on glass, paper, paint, lead, tea; 2. writs of assistance = tax collectors given search warrants to search for smuggled goods Reaction of Sam Adams: argued laws violated legal rights of colonists, began colonial boycott of English goods Reaction of the Daughters of Liberty: joined the boycott, told people to make their own cloth and use American products British troops arrived to restore order in Boston after the ship Liberty was seized and custom officials houses were attacked

Boston Massacre In 1768: 1,000 British soldiers arrived in Boston under General Thomas Gage. On March 5, 1770: British soldier standing guard argued with a colonist and struck him. Crowd gathered around the soldier and threw snowballs and yelled insults. British troops arrived. Soldiers fired into crowd killing 5 people. *Crispus Attucks, ½ African American ½ Native American sailor was killed. Sons of Liberty used this event to gain support against the British.

Tea Act - 1773 To reduce tensions in the colonies Parliament: repealed almost all of the Townshend Acts But kept the tax on tea The Tea Act said: British East India Co. could sell tea directly to colonists (could charge low price and still collect tax $) Reaction to the Tea Act: Sons of Liberty demanded ships leave, Governor of MA wouldn’t let them leave, 12/16/1773 colonists disguised as Indians sneaked onto the 3 ships and dumped over 340 tea chests into the harbor

Tea Act Some colonial leaders tried to make up for the lost tea by paying Britain for the tea, but Parliament wanted payment for the tea and the Sons of Liberty to be put on trial for the “Tea Party.”

Intolerable Acts - 1774 Reason: punish Boston for the Tea Party Said: Boston Harbor closed until Boston paid for ruined tea MA charter was cancelled, governor decides when legislature can meet British officials go on trial in England Quartering Act must be enforced Quebec Act - gave land to Quebec General Thomas Gage became new governor of MA