1. Causes of the American Revolution
Standard 3

2. Causes of the American Revolution: The Aftermath of the French & Indian War
Costs of War
The French & Indian War was expensive for Britain
Naturally they wanted the colonists to help pay the cost
Taxes on the colonies was coming
Restricting Westward Expansion
The British believed the best way to save money immediately was to restrict colonial expansion.
This would reduce expensive wars between colonists and Indians.

3. Causes of the American Revolution: Proclamation of 1763
Royal statement forbidding colonists from crossing the Appalachian Mountains, making an imaginary boundary line through the mountains.
In one sense, this was a reward to the Iroquois for helping the British
The British Army was placed in forts along the line
Colonial Reaction
Overall, there were not enough soldiers to enforce the Proclamation, but enough for colonists to view it as an obstruction to legitimate economic development
Nor was it enough to prevent colonial settlement, or protect Indians.
Colonists did not like the idea of the King restricting western expansion. x

4. Causes of the American Revolution: Taxes
Stamp Act
Enacted by Parliament in 1765.
Required that revenue stamps be placed on most printed paper including legal documents, newspapers, pamphlets, & advertisements.
It was collected from those who used these goods.

5. Causes of the American Revolution: Colonial Response to Taxation
Stamp Act Crisis
Colonists denounced the Stamp Act
This the first instance of colonists arguing that without representation in Parliament, British taxation was not legal.
This is where the phrase, “no taxation without representation” comes from.
The British maintained that all of the members of Parliament represented all of the colonies.
The British believed that the colonies did not need their own representative, from the colonies, in Parliament.

6. Causes of the American Revolution: Colonial Response to Taxation
Sons of Liberty
Created by Samuel Adams to demonstrate against the Stamp Act.
A committee of various people including: Artisans, Merchants, Lawyers, politicians
held meetings and protests, created pamphlets & petitions
Daughters of Liberty
Like the Sons of Liberty, a reaction against the Stamp Act
This group boycotted British textiles and used American cloth to make clothes etc.

7. Causes of the American Revolution: Colonial Response to Taxation
Boston Massacre
Erupted between custom agents and colonist in the fall of 1768
1,000 troops were in Boston to maintain control and were consistently harassed and heckled
A crowd of colonists taunted and threw snowballs at a solider guarding a customs house
The British Captain and 7 soldiers came to his aid
They fired in the crowd and when the smoke cleared 5 colonist were killed

8. Causes of the American Revolution: Taxes
Tea Tax of 1773
Passed to help sales of the British East India Tea Company, part of the taxes was given to the company
The Colonial Response
Boston Tea Party (December 1773)
Members of the Sons of Liberty boarded a British ship and dumped 342 chests in the Boston Harbor
Not all colonists supported the actions of the Sons of Liberty.

9. Causes of the American Revolution: “The Intolerable Acts”
The Coercive Acts (January 1774)
British response to Boston Tea Party
Referred to by colonists as the ‘Intolerable Acts’
4 Parts
Forbade public meetings without permission of Governor
Boston Harbor closed
Quartering Act
Colonists we required to house British soldiers
British soldiers & Royal officials could only be tried for crimes in England.

10. Causes of the American Revolution: Colonial Response to Intolerable Acts
Committees of Correspondence
First suggested by Thomas Jefferson, a lawyer & member of the House of Burgesses in Virginia.
Sought to develop communication between all colonies, & publicize grievances against King George III
Each colony had a committee

11. Colonial Government Formed
First Continental Congress
Met in September 1774
Every colony but Georgia was represented
This body of colonial representatives sent King George III a letter
The letter stated that since the colonies were not directly represented in the British Parliament, they had the right to govern themselves

12. Causes of the American Revolution: The End of the Beginning
The Shot heard Round the World
The Battle of Lexington & Concord
April 1775
British troops were on the way from Boston, to Concord, Massachusetts to confiscate arms and ammunition stored by the Sons of Liberty.
“Minutemen”, organized by the Sons of Liberty, so called because they were supposed to be ready to respond in a minute, responded.
Colonial Militia, ordinary citizens and not professional soldiers, confronted the British in Lexington. A War had now begun.

13. Causes of the American Revolution: Common Sense
Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine
Published on January 10, 1776
Written in a plain way so all could understand
Uses biblical illusions like calling the King of England a Pharaoh
States that colonies must claim independence from England
Evoked ideas of John Locke