Unit 3- American Revolution - British Conflict with American Colonies

Bell Ringer: The British had to take out almost 185 million dollars in debt to pay for the French and Indian War. How do you think they will make the colonies pay for all of that debt?

Causes of the American Revolution Mercantilism economic practice where a country exports more than it imports to make money colonies exist to make money for the mother country!!! Great Britain controlled trade in the colonies colonies can only trade with GB

Causes of the American Revolution Salutary Neglect practice of passing laws and then doing little to enforce them WHY? too expensive to enforce too much effort bribery colonies are still making $ for GB when GB begins enforcing laws it angers colonists

Causes of the American Revolution Navigation Acts restricted colonial trade could only buy and sell most goods with GB only use British ships mostly ignored for hundreds of years until the 1760s

Causes of the American Revolution Sugar Act (1764) first new tax placed on the colonies lowered tax rates on sugar and molasses but had previously been ignored bc of…. salutary neglect didn’t affect most ppl (not that big of a deal)

Causes of the American Revolution Quartering Act (1765) colonists are responsible for housing British troops and providing them with provisions (food, etc.)

Causes of the American Revolution Stamp Act (1765) tax placed on all printed materials (newspapers, pamphlets, posters, wills, mortgages, deeds, licenses, diplomas, and playing cards) first direct tax placed upon the colonies affected every colonist (very big deal)

Causes of the American Revolution Stamp Act Congress leaders of the colonies meet to decide what to do decide to protest and boycott the act boycott: refuse to buy goods Stamp Act is repealed in 1766

Causes of the American Revolution Townshend Acts (1767) named for Charles Townshend, chancellor of the Treasury taxes on imports of glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea revenue would be used to pay colonial governors colonists protest and boycott Townshend Acts are partially repealed… tax on tea remains

“NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!” only those that represent the colonies in Parliament can impose taxes Parliament response: the colonies have virtual representation each member of Parliament represented the interests of the country and empire

Causes of the American Revolution Committees of Correspondence network of local groups in the colonies that communicated with other colonies spread pamphlets/publications about liberty, etc. organized opposition to Great Britain first national organization in the colonies leads to UNITY!!! Samuel Adams started the system

Causes of the American Revolution Sons of Liberty secret organization of colonists formed in opposition to British laws and taxes organized protests and boycotts tactics: newspapers/pamphlets violence and intimidation burning effigies harassing tax collectors

Causes of the American Revolution Daughters of Liberty boycotted British goods by making goods at home spinning bees! boycotted tea

Causes of the American Revolution The Boston Massacre more British troops sent to control the colonists tensions are high, especially in Boston March 1770: colonists began throwing snowballs and rocks at British guard British troops began firing at colonists result: 5 dead (including Crispus Attucks), 8~ wounded ***Term coined by Paul Revere!

Causes of the American Revolution Boston Tea Party (1773) furious over a tea act (can only buy British tea) on imported tea, 150 patriots (dressed as Indians) snuck aboard British ships and dumped 342 chests of tea in Boston Harbor caused $1 million in damages

Causes of the American Revolution Intolerable Acts (1774) Parliament passes to punish Massachusetts Act 1- Port of Boston closed until city paid for destroyed tea Act 2- All gov’t officials in MA to be appointed by governor, not elected and banned town meetings Act 3- British soldiers in trouble in America could be transported to Britain for trial and strengthened the Quartering Act Also known as the Coercive Acts

Causes of the American Revolution First Continental Congress (Sept. 1774) delegates from 12 of the colonies meet plan of action stop importing goods from GB declaration of colonial rights proposed that all acts of Parliament have to be approved by colonies call for formations of militias agree to meet again in May 1775 if no progress is made with Britain

Paul Revere https://youtu.be/cLbc0NcToUI How are they leaving Boston?? 1 if by land, 2 if by sea The signals were not “for” Paul Revere, but “from” Paul Revere to the Sons of Liberty in Charlestown, because Revere was apprehensive that he would be prevented from leaving Boston. 

Causes of the American Revolution Lexington and Concord (1775) first battles of the Revolutionary War “the shot heard ‘round the world” April 1775: British Gen. Gage ordered to arrest members of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and seize weapons April 18 1775: 700 British troops head to Concord Go through Lexington Paul Revere’s ride alerting the minutemen April 19: British encounter 70 minutemen in Lexington British fire shots, kill 8 and wound 10 minutemen Head to Concord; encounter 400 minutemen Results: British lose 99 men, 174 wounded Colonial militias lose 49 men, 46 wounded

Boston Massacre Primary Source Activity Analyzing the Boston Massacre Worksheet -There are 4 images - Answer the three questions for each of the images