Beginnings of the American Revolution

Rivalry between the British and the French This rivalry led to the French and Indian War French were driven out of Canada and territories west of the Appalachian Mountains

British actions following the war that angered the colonists:

Proclamation of 1763 Prohibited settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains This region was too costly for the British to defend American colonists had fought a war with France to open this area for settlement

New taxes places on colonists Taxes to pay for the war and to defend the colonists Stamp Act – tax on legal documents and publications Tea and sugar taxes

Resistance to British rule Boston Tea Party First Continental Congress called Boston Massacre Battle of Lexington and Concord

The Boston Massacre

Boston Tea Party and Intolerable Acts

Lexington and Concord

March Back to Boston

Battle of Bunker Hill

Three camps of colonists Patriots Loyalists Neutrals

Patriots Believed in complete independence from England Inspired by the ideas of Locke and Paine and the words of Patrick Henry Provided the troops for the Continental Army

Loyalists (Tories) Remained loyal to Britain because of cultural and economic ties Believed that taxation was justified

Neutrals Those who tried to stay as uninvolved as possible

Military Victories

Saratoga Proved to the French that the American could win the war. As a result, the French became more involved on the side of the Americans.

Yorktown British general Cornwallis surrendered his army ending the hostilities.