SSUSH 3:
Causes of the
American Revolution
Three Main Points
1. French & Indian War
2. Parliament Crackdown on Colonies
3. Anti­British Sentiments
French & Indian War
• a war between Britain & the French
­ Indians fought on both sides
• G.B. & France fought over territorial lands. This is called imperial competition.
• A young Virginian named, George Washington became famous from the war.
• In the end, England won, and France gave up most of its colonies in North America
Treaty of Paris, 1763
• End of the French & Indian War
• Britain claimed all land East of the Mississippi River
Impact of the French & Indian War
The French & Indian War laid the foundation for the American Revolution
1.) Built confidence in the American military
2.) Created animosity between English & American­born
3.) The English expected the colonies to pay war debts. This will led to higher taxes. Britain stops ignoring
the Colonies
While focused on the war in North America, the British government decides to tighten its hold on the 13 colonies
Royal Proclamation of 1763
• Issued by King George III following
the Treaty of Paris, 1763
• It was designed to organize England's
new land and stabilize relations with
the Natives
• The Law forbid colonists in the 13
colonies from expanding westward.
Colonial feelings
about the Proclamation
• Colonist felt like
they fought
the war for
nothing.
• & the British
govt. didn't
care about
them.
1765‐ Stamp Act. • The new law required colonists to buy government stamps when buying anything made of paper
• from wills to playing cards. • It was the first British tax to directly affect the average colonist. Colonial Response to Stamp Act
• The colonists were outraged.
• Merchants boycotted British goods until the act was repealed. • Leaders from throughout the colonies met and declared that only colonial assemblies—not Parliament—could pass tax laws. • Parliament repealed the Stamp Act but also insisted that it had the power to govern the colonies in all matters. • A few months later, Parliament passed the Townshend Acts, which imposed a much higher, indirect taxes. Colonial Response to Townshend Acts
• Riots in Boston prompted the British to station troops there. • In 1770, soldiers opened fire, killing five Bostonians. • Spreading anger against the British, Samuel Adams called it the “Boston Massacre.” British Response to Boston Massacre
The news traveled fast. Within weeks, every newspaper in the colonies carried the story of the massacre.
British leaders feared colonial outcry. So in 1771, Parliament repealed most of the Townshend Acts, however they left only one tax...
The Tea Act
Boston Tea Party
The British hoped to end colonial unrest by repealing all taxes except on tea.
However, many colonists felt it wasn't about the amount of taxes. They felt that no tax was legitimate if those taxed did not have a vote in parliament. In 1772, a group called the Sons of Liberty broke into Boston Harbor and dumped over a million dollars worth of tea into the sea.
Parliament was outraged.
Acts of Parliament: Recap
the Act Its effect
Colonial Response Taxed Sugar
Boycotted
taxed Sugar
Proclamation of 1763 Sugar Act
Stamp Act Townshend Acts Tea Act Colonist got organized
• The Stamp Act of 1765 was a primary cause for the formation of the Sons of Liberty. Led by a Boston pub owner named Samuel Adams. • Their slogan: "No Taxation without Representation" • Reports of the Boston Massacre boosted their support. • The Sons of Liberty became a vital organization in the spreading of information and the unification of public opinion in the move to protest against Britain's policy in the American colonies.
News spread fast in the Colonies
• Thanks to the work of newspaper publishers like Benjamin Franklin, news could travel very quickly between the colonies. (7 days from Boston to Savannah)
• The Committees of Correspondence was loosely­connected group of colonial publishers, writers, and engravers.
• They relayed information about injustices like the Boston Massacre.