Causes of the American Causes of the American RevolutionRevolution

I can identify reasons why the I can identify reasons why the American Colonists eventually got to American Colonists eventually got to the point where they were willing to the point where they were willing to risk everything in order to break away risk everything in order to break away from England and become an from England and become an independent country.independent country.

What is your go button?What is your go button?

Think about your quality of life, family, Think about your quality of life, family, friends, your own life and the role / friends, your own life and the role / effect the government can and does effect the government can and does have on these areas of society.have on these areas of society.

Now- What would it take for you to Now- What would it take for you to take up arms and rebel against the take up arms and rebel against the government? Note: Your actions could government? Note: Your actions could result in the death or imprisonment of result in the death or imprisonment of your family, friends, or even you.your family, friends, or even you.

Events which led to the Events which led to the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution

Before we start just a couple of thingsBefore we start just a couple of things

What is a colony?What is a colony?

What role do people have living in a colony?What role do people have living in a colony?

What rights do they have as colonists?What rights do they have as colonists?

Colonization by Spain, France and Colonization by Spain, France and EnglandEngland

Events which led to the Events which led to the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution

I. Influence of the “Enlightenment”- I. Influence of the “Enlightenment”-

II. End of the French and Indian War II. End of the French and Indian War 17631763

III. Problems III. Problems A.A. Doubled the size of British Colony. (So Doubled the size of British Colony. (So

what?)what?)

B.B. Crazy expensive-who should pay?Crazy expensive-who should pay?

Events which led to the Events which led to the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution

B. Indian troubles- Pontiac’s Rebellion B. Indian troubles- Pontiac’s Rebellion ((Proclamation Act of 1763)Proclamation Act of 1763)

1. attacks on colonists in the frontier1. attacks on colonists in the frontier2. closed the frontier2. closed the frontier

C. Cost of the WarC. Cost of the War1. Stamp Act (1765) “Newspaper, documents, 1. Stamp Act (1765) “Newspaper, documents,

etc.”etc.”

Events which led to the Events which led to the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution

No Taxation without No Taxation without Representation!!Representation!!

What???????What???????

D. Declaratory Act (1766)D. Declaratory Act (1766)1. Parliament could make laws1. Parliament could make laws

“in all cases whatsoever”“in all cases whatsoever”2. Colonies can’t question authority of 2. Colonies can’t question authority of

ParliamentParliament

Events which led to the Events which led to the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution

E. Townshend TaxesE. Townshend Taxes

1. Taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and 1. Taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and teatea

2. and the colonists said- 2. and the colonists said- “Nonimportation” “Nonimportation” colonies decided to colonies decided to discourage the purchase of British importsdiscourage the purchase of British imports

3. Boston Massacre (1770)3. Boston Massacre (1770)

Events which led to the Events which led to the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution

4. Tea Act (1773)4. Tea Act (1773)5. Boston Tea Party (1773)5. Boston Tea Party (1773)6. Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts of 6. Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts of

1774)1774)

a. closed port of Bostona. closed port of Boston

b. town meetings only with permissionb. town meetings only with permission

c. Quartering Act (again!)c. Quartering Act (again!)

Events which led to the Events which led to the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution

IV. RevolutionIV. Revolution

A. First Continental Congress (1774)A. First Continental Congress (1774)

B. Second Continental Congress (1775)B. Second Continental Congress (1775)

C . Olive Branch Petition (1775)C . Olive Branch Petition (1775)

D. Loyalists vs. PatriotD. Loyalists vs. Patriot

Events which led to the Events which led to the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution

E. Fighting with the pen and E. Fighting with the pen and wordswords

1. Patrick Henry--Give Me Liberty or Give 1. Patrick Henry--Give Me Liberty or Give Me Me

DEATH!!!!!!DEATH!!!!!!

2. Thomas Paine- 2. Thomas Paine- Common SenseCommon Sense and and American CrisisAmerican Crisis

Events which led to the Events which led to the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution

F. Declaratation of Independence F. Declaratation of Independence (formal)(formal)

1. adopted- July 4, 17761. adopted- July 4, 1776

2. Thomas Jefferson- main writer2. Thomas Jefferson- main writer

3. act of treason 3. act of treason

What do you think was the greatest What do you think was the greatest cause of the American Revolution? cause of the American Revolution? Your answer does not have to be just Your answer does not have to be just one particular event but rather a one particular event but rather a series of events or issues.series of events or issues.