1. Causes of the American Revolution

2. Salutary Neglect The long-standing British policy of avoiding strict enforcement of parliamentary laws meant to keep the American colonies obedient to Great Britain. Prime Minister Robert Walpole stated that if no restrictions were placed on the colonies, they would flourish. England was lenient about trade restrictions and there was little enforcement of Navigation Acts (designed to force the colonists to trade only with England) This changed with the French and Indian War (Seven Years War). So, when Britain did try to enforce laws in the colonies, the colonists rebelled.

3. The French and Indian War, the Proclamation of 1763 and Mercantilism French and Indian War: Britain kicks the French out of North America and wants the colonists to help pay the bill for “their” protection. Supplies are taken from colonists and colonial men are forced into military service The Proclamation of 1763: Two purposes: 1) To avoid war with Indians, and 2) To concentrate colonial settlements on the seaboard where they could be active parts of the British mercantile system. Mercantilism is an economic theory: the prosperity of a nation depends upon its supply of capital. Capital is best increased through a positive balance of trade with other nations. The government should play a role in the economy, by encouraging exports and discouraging imports, especially through the use of tariffs.

4. No Taxation Without Representation Colonists had no representation in Parliament. King George III ends period of salutary neglect with taxes on paper products and sugar Quartering Act: The housing of soldiers in colonist’s homes during. Stamp Act of 1765: A tax on common paper goods and documents. In 1769 British government dissolves Virginia House of Burgesses and begins to micromanage colonies

5. Townshend Acts Taxes on many common goods like paper, glass and tea designed to pay for the cost of protecting and administering the colonies.

6. Sons of Liberty Patriots (possibly terrorists) fighting for their beliefs. –“One person’s terrorist is another person’s patriot.” Samuel Adams was founder of the Boston group Public demonstrations, threats, and occasional violence in response to Stamp Act (which is later repealed)

7. Boston Tea Party Protesting a tax on Tea Value of tea destroyed: $2 million in today’s dollars Results: –Boston Harbor closed (1774 Coercive Acts) – Called Intolerable Acts by colonists – Tea had to be paid for –Massachusetts self-government ended –Increased enforcement of Quartering Act

8. First Continental Congress 12 of 13 colonies send representatives in 1774 Idea pushed by Franklin but sought out more seriously after British closed Boston Harbor Declaration of Rights and Grievances: Colonist complaints addressed to King George Agreement to Boycott British goods

9. Second Continental Congress After the Battles of Lexington and Concord, another meeting was held in Philadelphia, this time with additional delegates. The Second Continental Congress made some important decisions: –they decided to completely break away from Great Britain –On May 15, 1776, they decided to officially put the colonies in a state of defense. The congress finally approved the resolution of independence in July of 1776.