1. Causes of the American Revolution
Why did the colonists in America revolt against the British government? vs

2. British Government vs. American Colonists
British-America was divided into 13 colonies & Canada
Each colony had its own government but still had to obey British law
1754: France & Britain fight French & Indian War (Seven Years War)
1763: Britain wins but King & Parliament expect colonists to pay for war – Why? fought in America
We agree!
You guys pay for this war!!
Why us?

3. Causes of the American Revolution
1764: Sugar Act: Lower tax on British Sugar, to try to get Colonists
to buy British sugar instead of smuggling
Effect: People don’t want to be forced to buy British sugar
Cause #2:
1765: Stamp act: direct tax on all stamped documents
Colonists say violates natural rights, no taxation w/o representation!
Effect: Colonists boycott British goods, Britain passes more taxes

4. The Bloody Massacre Describe what you see in the picture.
Discuss: What would you do about all of the new taxes?
Describe what you see in the picture.
Who looks like the aggressor?
What do you think happened in the picture?

5. Cause #3:
1770: Boston Massacre – People protesting the new taxes in
Townshend Act are shot by British soldiers
Cause #4:
1773:Tea Act & Boston Tea Party, no tax on British tea, but Amer.
tea still taxed. Colonists dump Br. tea into Boston Harbor.
King George closes Boston Harbor
Cause #5:
1774: Intolerable Acts – 1.Quartering Act forces citizens to house
British troops. 2. Administration of Justice Act –Boston Massacre trial
moved from Boston to London 3. Redcoats shoot at “Minutemen”

6. Effect: 7/4/1776: The Declaration of Independence is ratified,
which leads to the American Revolution!
Reflection: Write a break-up letter to King George and Parliament, using at least three causes of the Declaration of Independence.