Causes leading to the American Revolution

Salutary Neglect  The first Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Robert Walpole, promoted the idea of Salutary Neglect.  “If no restrictions were placed on the colonies, they would flourish.”  From the colonists lived with no economic restrictions… Until now.!

French & Indian War  Britain and France both wanted control of the Ohio River Valley. The French, who were allies with the Indians, refused to leave. Britain declares war on France. Britain wins! The Treaty of Paris of 1763 forced France to give Britain control of Canada and land east of the Mississippi River. The war was expensive, so Britain starting taxing the American colonies to pay the debts.

N A V A G A T I O N A C T S  Why? To minimize Dutch trade.  Think MERCANTILISM!  The colonies could only trade with England or other colonies.  This led to smuggling to avoid paying taxes.  Smugglers were considered criminals.

Proclamation of 1763  British soldiers maintained order in the Ohio River Valley after the French and Indian War. The Indians wanted the soldiers to leave and went to war.  The Proclamation of 1763 gave American Indians the rights to their lands and did not let the colonists settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. Those that had settled, were told to leave!  Colonists ignored the law and Britain realized they could not control the region.

Currency Act This gave Britain control overthe colonial money. This kept the colonies fromeconomic growth and it hurtmanufacturing.

STAMPACTSTAMPACT  The continued debt from the French and Indian War caused Britain to pass this act.  This act taxed anything printed on paper!  The colonist refused to buy British goods. BOYCOTT!  The Sons of Liberty was formed. Shh…Secret Society!  Benjamin Franklin told Parliament repeal the Stamp Act or revolution might happen!  King George III repealed the act, but….

Declaratory Act After the repeal of the Stamp Act, Parliament passed this act. Parliament had full authority over legislation in the colonies. Remember representative government? This caused even more…

Quartering Act Britain sends evens more troops to control the colonies. This act forced the colonists to house and feed the British soldiers! The British soldiers had writs of assistance. Housing the soldiers was expensive. Britain said the colonists should pay their share of the cost to protect them from Indian attacks. This increased…

Townshend Acts  Colonist had to pay taxes on paper, glass, and tea.  Colonist boycotted taxed goods.  Parliament repealed most of the taxes, except tea!  This led to protest.  More British troops were sent to the colonies.  You guessed it…..

Boston Massacre On March 5, 1770, tensions between the colonists and British soldiers became deadly. Five unarmed colonists were shot. Paul Revere, a talented silversmith, depicted the incident and sent the following picture throughout the colonies. How? Night Riders! (Thank you, Benjamin Franklin, Mr. Postmaster General)

This is what the colonists saw and read!

Unhappy BOSTON! see thy Sons deplore, Thy hallowe'd Walks besmear'd with guiltless Gore: While faithless --- and his savage Bands, With murd'rous Rancour stretch their bloody Hands; Like fierce Barbarians grinning o'er their Prey, Approve the Carnage, and enjoy the Day. If scalding drops from Rage from Anguish Wrung If speechless Sorrows lab' ring for a Tongue, Or if a weeping World can ought appease The plaintive Ghosts of Victims such as these; The Patriot's copious Tears for each are shed, A glorious Tribute which embalms the Dead. But know, FATE summons to that awful Goal, Where JUSTICE strips the Murd'rer of his Soul: Should venal C-ts the scandal of the Land, Snatch the relentless Villain from her Hand, Keen Execrations on this Plate inscrib'd, Shall reach a JUDGE who never can be brib'd. The unhappy Sufferers were Messs. SAM. L GRAY, SAM.L MAVERICK, JAM.S CALDWELL, CRISPUS ATTUCKS & PAT.K CARR Killed. Six wounded two of them (CHRIST.R MONK & JOHN CLARK) Mortally

You are cordially invited to a TEA PARTY!  In 1773, Parliament passes the TEA ACT.  Only the British East India could sell tea to the colonies.  The price of tea was low, but the import taxes on it for the colonists was high!  Merchants refused to unload the tea from the British ships and refused to sell the tea to the colonists.  The Sons of Liberty, dressed as American Indians, boarded the “tea” ships and dumped 342 crates of BRITISH TEA into Boston Harbor.

Coercive Acts (aka INTOLERABLE ACTS)  Stopped all trade between Boston and Britain.  Since Boston was closed, trading goods between the colonies was stopped.  Stopped all town meetings.  Gave Britain control of the colonies. (Remember “Salutary Neglect”?)  Strengthened the Quartering Act.