The American Revolution: CAUSES and events leading up to the Revolutionary War

What Happened Previously? The 13 Colonies grew as more people moved to America from Britain. Britain controlled the colonies. Britain didn’t bother the colonies much – everyone was happy. However, Britain would do whatever it took to keep the 13 Colonies from falling into the hands of another country.

Why do you think Britain wanted to keep control of the 13 colonies? Nearpod Question Why do you think Britain wanted to keep control of the 13 colonies?

What Happened Previously? There were many reasons Britain wanted to keep control of the colonies. To gain more power and prestige To have the biggest and wealthiest empire To become a respected world power

What Happened Previously? Britain and the 13 colonies were prospering (succeeding). However… One event caused that relationship to change in a big way!

The French and Indian War The Colonists and British were fighting together against the French and Native Americans for land west of the Appalachian Mountains. After nine years, Britain won the war!

Why was the French and Indian War so important?

Why was the French and Indian War so important? The war was expensive. Britain had to spend a lot of money to send troops to the 13 Colonies to defeat France. After the war was over, Britain was almost broke. It needed to raise money.

Nearpod Question One of the American Revolution’s greatest heroes once fought for Great Britain. Who do you think this was?

Why was the French and Indian War so important? 2) George Washington learned important lessons. Washington fought with British troops against the French. During that time, he learned their military tactics. He also learned about a new way to fight from watching the French and Indians.

What was guerilla warfare (frontier style fighting)? Nearpod Question What was guerilla warfare (frontier style fighting)?

Why was the French and Indian War so important? 3) The map of America changed after the French and Indian War. Some nations lost land while others gained new land in America.

Before the French and Indian War

After the French and Indian War

The French and Indian War drastically changed the relationship between Britain and the 13 Colonies.

Before the French and Indian War: 1) Taxes: Britain did not tax the colonists. They allowed the colonists to collect their own taxes. 2) Laws: Britain allowed the colonists to make their own laws. 3) Legislatures: Britain allowed the colonists to choose their own legislatures they wanted for their new colonies. 4) Governors: Britain allowed the colonists to choose their own governors for their new colonies. 5) Economics/Trade: Britain allowed the colonists to buy and sell goods and crops with other countries.

After the French and Indian War, Britain wanted to impose strict control over the colonies. They INCREASED their control in many ways. This made the colonists very angry.

Why were the colonists so angry? Proclamation of 1763 – The British prohibited the colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains. Note: this was passed after attacks on the settlers by Natives.

Nearpod Question Draw a map showing the limitations imposed by the Proclamation of 1763.

Why were the colonists so angry? Britain (England) raised taxes on the colonists! The two main reasons Britain taxed the colonies was to: 1) help finance or pay for the French and Indian War 2) to help maintain British troops in the colonies.

The Sugar Act (1764) Britain imposed the first tax on the colonists in 1764 A tax was placed on luxury items such as wine, molasses, silk, coffee, and sugar. Britain also imposed harsh punishments on smugglers trying to trade smuggled goods into the colonies.

Draw a picture of some of the items taxed by the Sugar Act. Nearpod Question Draw a picture of some of the items taxed by the Sugar Act.

The Quartering Act (1765) To enforce the Proclamation of 1763, Britain kept 10,000 soldiers in the colonies. The Quartering Act required colonists to quarter, or house, British troops and provide them with food and other supplies.

Nearpod Question Why do you think Britain wanted to keep troops in the Colonies AFTER the French & Indian War?

The Stamp Act 1765 Britain required colonists to buy special stamps that had to be placed on every piece of printed paper including playing cards, newspapers, and legal documents. Protests to the Stamp Act were widespread. Colonists boycotted many British goods, they signed a petition demanding the repeal of the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act, and even physically attacked tax collectors.