ROAD TO REVOLUTIONWHY DID THE COLONISTS BREAK-UP WITH ENGLAND?

SALUTARY NEGLECT

• The colonies were left alone to govern themselves.

• Created a sense of individuality

• A people of British origin, but an American flavor.

MERCANTILISM• A country should sell more goods to other countries than it buys.

• Government controls economics.

• Raw Materials to Britain

• Colonies market for British manufacturing

• Great, as long as YOU’RE the one making $$$!

NAVIGATION ACTS: 1650-1670S

• Colonies only trade w/Mother country.

• Can only use British ships for import/export.

• Colonist used smuggling to get around it.

WRITS OF ASSISTANCE - (EARLY 1760S)

• General search warrants

• Meant that if they thought you were breaking the law, they could search your home/property at any time for smuggled goods, etc.

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 1754-1763

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 1754-1763 • Britain wins

• Gains all land east of the Mississippi (also, Canada)

• Expensive

• debt increased from 75 to 137 million pounds

• Only colonial power left

• Colonies had fought for Britain, but unified as Americans

• Causes problems with the colonies

PROCLAMATION OF 1763

• Banned ALL settlement west of the Appalachian Mts.

• Settlers want to move westward

• Afraid of conflict with Native Americans

• No money!

SUGAR & STAMP ACTS• Have to pay debts

• Colonies had lower taxes anyway…

• Raised taxes

• sugar, textiles, wine, coffee, indigo

• All documents, newspapers, playing cards, etc.

• 1st time —> direct tax, raise revenue

• Colonial merchants protested the taxes

• Quarter = To house…

• Saves Britain $$$, keeps army there

• Requires colonists keep British troops in their homes

QUARTERING OF SOLDIERS

• How do you think the colonists felt? Why?

• How would you have felt? Why?

• What do you think the colonists do in response?

• Why did Britain impose these taxes/acts?

• What do you think Britain did in response to the colonists?

COLONIAL REACTION

• “No Taxation w/o Representation”

• Why should we be taxed if we don’t elect anyone to speak for us in Parliament?

• Boycotted British Goods

• refuse to buy/use

• Created groups that opposed English rule

• Wanted independence!

• Sons of Liberty

BRITISH RESPONSE

• Repealed the Stamp Act, kept the rest, made some more…