Causes of the Revolution

Life before 1763 in the Colonies People voted for representatives in a general assembly. Could create their own taxes and laws England had very little to do with Colonial affairs Area was becoming crowded so people start moving to the Ohio Valley French and Indians are upset about this

French and Indian War A struggle between the British and the French. Colonists fought for the British, while the Native Americans fought for the French. The British won all lands east of the Mississippi River, except new Orleans. George Washington is named a hero for his bravery in battle

Proclamation of 1763 New King of England-George III (1760) Wanted to control everyone and everything Did not know what life was like in the colonies Colonists were not allowed to settle the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains Many colonists already lived here! GIST Twist: Why do you think the King did not want the colonists to live past the Appalachian Mountains?

Taxation Without Representation Class Experience Historical Experience

Stamp Act (1765) Prime Minister George Grenville decides that colonists need to pay taxes to recover money lost by England because of the war. Proposes that all colonists must pay a tax for any papers used in the colony. They must buy paper that has the kings seal “stamped” on it. Colonists are outraged! NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!

Riots and Repeal Colonists protest by refusing to purchase stamps, attacking tax collectors, and even trying to bury one tax collector alive! Parliament decides to repeal the tax because of the protesting Colonists celebrated in the streets over the victory

Quartering Act (1765) Colonists were forced to allow British soldiers to live in their homes. Colonists felt there was no need for the soldiers to be in the Colonies Colonists refuse to follow orders and England retaliates– Colonists are outraged again!

Townshend Acts (1767) New Prime Minister Charles Townshend swears to make the colonists pay for soldiers Parliament passes the Townshend Acts which taxed the import of common British goods like paper, glass, paint, and tea. After they passed Townsend died of the flu!

Boycott and Repeal Patriot Samuel Adams led the Americans in a boycott of British goods The Colonies agree and only buy American goods This action cripples the British economy March 5, 1770-Lord North (new Prime Minister) convinces Parliament to repeal all the taxes except the tax on tea.

Now lets BECOME history….

Boston Massacre March 5, 1770 Encounter between British troops and citizens of Boston Patriots antagonized British troops, who were quartered in Boston to discourage demonstrations against the Townshend Acts. Sticks, stones, and snowballs are thrown British troops fired on the Patriots,killing 5 people

Tea Act (1773) British East India Tea Company was going broke Many members of the Parliament had money invested in this company Lord North made it cheaper to buy this tea than any other tea in the world! Colonists were not fooled by this act!

Boston Tea Party Angry protesters refused to allow the ships to unload the tea. Many ships returned back to England, but the Royal Governor in Boston told the three ships to stay in the port On the night of Dec 16, 1773-the Sons of Liberty, dressed as Indians, and dumped 50 barrels of British tea into the Boston Harbor

Coersive/Intolerable Acts (1774) Lord North and King George III put these into place to punish the people of Boston for the Boston Tea Party 4 major points: Boston Harbor would be closed until the money for tea was paid back Could not hold an assembly without approval Any crimes against the crown would be tried in England More soldiers would be sent to the Colonies for control

Lets see what you have learned….

Acts of Parliament (1763-1774) Proclamation of 1763: Colonists could not move west past the Appalachian Mountains Quartering Act: required the colonist to provide shelter and supplies to British troops Stamp Act: required stamps to be purchased and placed on newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, legal documents, and playing cards Townshend Act: taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea Tea Act: permitted the British East India Tea Co. to sell tea at a lower price than any other company in the colonies. Intollerable Act: Punishment for the Boston Tea Party. It closed Boston Harbor, ended colonial assemblies, forced trials in England, and brought more troops to the colonies.

The Colonies Unite Instead of cowering to the king, the colonies united. “An attack made on one of our sister colonies is an attack made on all British America” Some people were still loyal to the King, they thought that Boston had gone too far.

First Continental Congress September 1774 50 delegates from 12 colonies came together Urged to think as one, and not as individuals Many men in the meeting were loyalists; they refused to consider themselves anything but British Agreed to do the following: send a letter to the King listing complaints Urge colonists to boycott goods until an agreement is made.

Boycotts and Militias Groups were formed to enforce the boycott Militias were put together, in the event that the boycott did not work Minutemen- militia in New England (could form ranks in 60 seconds) The militias marched and practiced while they waited for a response from the King

Blows must decide… King George refused to answer the colonists letter Britain is going to fight against the Colonists King George contacts General Gage in Boston and tells him to prepare to fight!