Actions and Reactions that lead to the American Revolution Road To The Revolution Actions and Reactions that lead to the American Revolution

Background Who owns the 13 Colonies? Why do they want the colonies? What type of government do they have? Who makes laws and decides taxes?

Navigation Acts (1650 – 1775) British Action – Great Britain restricted trade with the colonies. Only English owned and English Crewed ships could trade Tobacco, cotton, indigo, and other colonial products could only be sent to England Colonial trade laws had to agree with the Navigation Acts. This is an example of mercantilism (when a country uses trade to increase their power and wealth). Colonists’ Reaction – Colonists began smuggling goods in Europe and the West Indies.

Proclamation of 1763 British Action – King George III issued the proclamation which banned British settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains. The law also ordered settlers to leave the upper Ohio River Valley. Colonists’ Reaction – They were outraged that England would tell them where they could not settle over the Appalachian Mountains after they already paid for land there.

Sugar Act (1764) British Action – Britain passed the Sugar Act to stop smuggling between the colonies and the French West Indies. This act lowered the tax on molasses. It also established special courts to hear smuggling cases. Colonists’ Reaction – They see their rights being taken away and protested “no taxation without representation” (James Otis). They said they should not be taxed by Parliament because they could not vote for members of Parliament.

Think-Pair-Share If the citizens in Great Britain are paying similar taxes, why are the Colonists so angry?

Stamp Act (1765) British Action – This law required colonists to pay a tax (in the form of stamps) on certain documents. Colonists’ Reaction – Colonists burned stamps and started riots in protest. They formed the Stamp Act Congress and asked Parliament to repeal the law.

Townsend Acts (1767) British Action – Britain passed laws declaring its authority over the colonies Set up strict procedures for collecting taxes in colonies Allowed tax collectors to search for smuggled goods Colonists’ Reaction – Colonists felt threatened and feared loss of self-government.

How do you think the colonists felt about British troops in their towns?

Boston Massacre (1770) British Action – British troops quartered in Boston opened fire after being harassed by an angry mob of colonists. Five colonists were killed. Colonists’ Reaction – Samuel Adams (Sons of Liberty) and others demanded the removal of British troops from Boston.

Tea Act (1773) British Action – Britain redesigned the tax on tea to give a special advantage to the British East India Company. Under this agreement, colonial tea merchants would lose business. Colonists’ Reaction – Colonists dumped shiploads of tea into Boston Harbor. This is called the Boston Tea Party.

Heroes or Villains? Do you think the Sons of Liberty were right in their actions against Great Britain? Why or why not?

Coercive Acts (1774) (Intolerable Acts) British Action – Britain passed laws designed to punish the colonies, especially Massachusetts. These laws took away power of self-government in Mass. Boston Harbor is closed until colonists paid for the ruined tea. Colonists’ Reaction – The First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia and sends a list of grievances (complaints) asking the King to correct the problems. This list is known as the Declaration of Rights.

Road to the Revolution Scenarios Use your outline to complete the scenarios worksheet. Finish Early? Review outline information with your partner.

PREDICT! How do you think King George will respond to the complaints listed in the Declaration of Rights?