The American Revolution Why did the colonists rebel against the British?

The American Revolution

Why did the colonists rebel against the British?


• Colonists had created their own written laws • Property owning men voted, did not have to be an aristocrat• Colonists rejected “virtual representation”

• Wanted to determine their own taxes

• Colonists angry that debt from Seven Years’ War caused Britain to:• Raise taxes without approval from colonists

• Sugar Act – customs officers & courts prosecuted smugglers - 1764• Quartering Act – colonists had to feed and house British troops - 1765• Stamp Act – tax on printed materials (deeds, contracts, books, newspapers) - 1765

Question # 1 & 2

• Explain a benefit of the French and Indian War (Seven Years’ War) that the colonists received.

• On what did the British spend money during the French & Indian War?


• Colonists believed Parliament had no right to tax them• Said that British trying to take away American liberties

• Used boycotts, violence, philosophical arguments to fight back• John Locke – natural rights – life, liberty, property

• Social contract between government and people• Patrick Henry – Virginia Resolves restated ideals of Enlightenment, Locke & Montesquieu• Sons of Liberty – led by Samuel Adams • Nonimportation agreements – consumer boycott – 1765

• Townshend Acts – 1767 – glass, lead, paint, paper, tea• John Hancock’s ship Liberty seized• Boston Massacre – March 1770

• Result: Committees of correspondence - 1773

Question # 3 & 4

• How would boycotting hurt the British?

• Why was taxing the colonists such a problem for the British?


• British allowed British East India Company to be a monopoly• Colonists now had to pay Townshend Tax – on tea only now• Smuggling Dutch tea now more expensive

• Wealthy colonists financially hurt = angry!• December 16, 1773 – Result – Boston Tea Party

• Parliament angry over Boston Tea Party and punished Boston• British sent troops to Boston = Pay for the Tea!!• British reinforced Quartering Act• British made Quebec Act and took away lands colonists felt they owned• British closed Boston Harbor! No Trade = no money!

How did the colonists rebel against the British?

• First Continental Congress – Fall 1774• Boycott British goods!• Established Committees to help people unite

• Lexington & Concord – April 19, 1775• Militia – part-time soldiers who were normally farmers or merchants• Loyalists – colonists who supported British rule

• Second Continental Congress – May 1775• Created Continental Army

• George Washington commander• Olive Branch Petition – July 1775 - asked for peace with king - failed

With a partner

• Read p 110-111 in your text• Identify at least 8 facts about Loyalists• Discussion

How did the colonists rebel against the British?

• Thomas Paine published Common Sense in 1776• Elect government• The King is the enemy!• No inherited privileges• Trade with anyone!

• Declaration of Independence – 1776 – Thomas Jefferson• Listed colonists complaints• Listed philosophical reasons for separation

• Natural Rights – for everyone not just wealthy or aristocrats• “all men are created equal”

Read the Declaration of Independence

• With a partner, complete your assigned section of the Declaration of Independence

• Discuss as a class.• What are the main arguments of the D of I?

What were the significant battles?

• Using handouts and your text, complete the chart on battles• Honors students, choose 3 more battles of interest to complete

What were the three phases of the American Revolution?

First Phase: Spring 1775 - Spring 1776

fighting happened mostly in New EnglandBritain uncertain if they are really in a war, believed it

was a rebellion

Spring 1776 – British left Boston, realized colonists united = shift in strategy


Second Phase: Spring 1776 – early 1778

British in best position to win – colonists overmatched

British made many mistakes; Howe let Washington escape

France recognized America, gave aid


Third Phase: Spring 1778 – Fall 1781

British tried to get southern Loyalists to help with war - ooops!

British government put limits on its commitment to warWar considered revolutionary

More people became involved in warSupport for independence increased

What were the strengths and weaknesses of the British and Americans?

British Strengths

• Trained army• Moral supremacy• Organized government• Clear chain of command• Strong manufacturing• Ordnance supplies• Experienced• Professional, long-term army• Loyalist population

American Strengths

• Distance• “internal lines” = good intelligence• Geography (size)• No key strategic locations• “home court advantage”• Defensive war• Time – hang on long enough = win!• Goal = Providentialism, independence• Divisiveness in Great Britain• Allies – French, Spanish, Dutch• Key leadership

What were the strengths and weaknesses of the British and Americans?

British Weaknesses American Weaknesses• Relatively inexperienced, poorly trained

• No navy

• ??? chain of command

• New government, disorganized

• No taxing power

• Unhappy Loyalists

• Little/no manufacturing

• No cannons, mortars, gun powder etc.

• States’ rights

• No allies• Distance• External lines – 3000 miles!• Poor leadership• Offensive War• Time• No clear goal • If win, how can we control America?• Strategy confused• Limited manpower

What were the effects of the American Revolution?

• Revolutionary ideas spread• Treaty of Paris 1783 officially ends the war• Americans spread westward in greater numbers• Women became “republican” mothers• Slavery changed very little• Articles of Confederation created

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The American Revolution Why did the colonists rebel against the British?