Causes of the Revolution

Things we have seen so far…

Causes of the Revolution

Mercantlism

Economic theory that says a nations wealth depends on the amount of gold it has

Raw materials were exported from colonies in order for Britain to make a profit

– Cash crops such as lumber, grain, tobacco, etc.

Colonies were established to benefit the mother country (Britain)…not for the colonists’ benefit

French and Indian War

England vs. France– Colonists fought for the British, Native Americans fought for the

French.

England won received all lands east of the Mississippi River, except new Orleans.

BUT the war left England in huge debt…

Proclamation of 1763

Colonists could not settle west of the red line

New Taxes Increase Conflict

Causes of the Revolution

New Taxes Increase Conflict

Conflict with Indians was not the only problem Britain was dealing with

How were they going to pay off the debt from the French and Indian War?– Citizens in England were already overtaxed

The government decided that the colonists should start paying their fair share

Taxation Without Representation

In 1765, the British government passed a new law called the Stamp Act

– required colonists to buy a stamp for every piece of paper used (included newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards)

Colonists considered this Act tyranny– Unjust use of power

They were not opposed to taxes, but this tax was passed by Parliament

– They had no representation there

After months of protest, it was repealed in 1766

Acts of Parliament Continue

Quartering Act 1765- Required colonists

to provide shelter and supplies to British troops stationed in their towns

Providing these things cost the colonists $$$

– They saw this as the same thing as a tax

Townshend Acts Taxed popular goods that the

colonists imported from Britain

– glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea

Samuel Adams led colonists in a boycott of British goods following the tax

– Refusal to buy goods

British government repealed all of the taxes except one… the Tea tax…

No More Kings!

What is the song about? What did the colonists think about the King

when they first got to America? How did their feelings about the king change

once they’d built up their homes and towns? What does the person who write the song think

about whether England had the right to tax the colonies? How can you tell?

What do you see?List all

objects and

people you

see. Be careful NOT to

infer. Just list things

you see. Also think,

what would you

hear or smell if

you were there?

What do you think?What is the

approximate date?

Where might this

have happened?

What do you think is

happening?

Be sure to provide

proof for each

inference!

What can you infer from evidence?

Why were the soldiers

shooting?

Why were the citizens

gathered together?

Did the soldiers want to shoot or

were they ordered?

Will the soldiers get into trouble?

Be sure to provide proof for each inference!

Boston Massacre

March 5, 1770 British troops vs.

citizens of Boston A mob of Patriots antagonized British troops, who

were quartered (stationed) in Boston British troops panicked and fired

– 5 people killed, 10 injured Samuel Adams deemed this a “horrid massacre”

– Contributed to colonial anger

Boston Tea Party

A protest against the

Tea Act of 1773 – Made British tea cheaper

than the foreign tea the colonists were smuggling

On Dec. 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty dressed as Indians and dumped British tea into Boston harbor

342 packages=45 tons=12 million $$$ today

Intolerable Acts

Passed to punish the Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party

– Closed the port of Boston until they paid for the destroyed tea– Placed the government of Massachusetts under British control– British soldiers accused of murder would now stand trial in

England, not the colonies– Sent even more troops to enforce the new law

Instead of giving in, the colonists banded even closer together

Virginia called for a Congress to discuss a solution to the conflict with Britain

First Continental Congress

In September of 1774, delegates met from all of the colonies

– Agreed to send a message to King George urging him to consider their complaints

– Called for a boycott of British goods until Intolerable Acts were repealed

– Planned to meet again in seven months

Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia