Problems After the War
War increased tensions between British &
the Colonists.
1. England becomes more involved in the
running of the colonies.
2. Proclamation Line of 1763
3. Standing Army
4. How to pay for the war? Tax the
colonists!
The Great Awakening
Series of Christian
revivals between
1740-1760.
Fear spread that
religion was
weakening in the
colonies.
Traveling preachers.
Used fire and
brimstone sermons to
attract people back
into the church.
Jonathon Edwards
“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”
Setting the Stage
Colonists & British win
French territory
Proclamation line of
1763: Colonists not
allowed to settle past
the line.
Tension grows between
colonists and the British
Cause 1
Desire for Independence
For the 1st 150 years (1607-1763) the
colonies are ruled rather loosely.
A. They can choose their own governments
(colonial legislatures) and tax themselves.
B. The only real rule is that they have to only
trade with England
Desire for Independence
After the war, England becomes more
involved in colonial life.
The Quartering Act: Required colonists to
provide shelter, firewood, drink, salt, and
candles to members of the British army.
Cause 2
Taxes
After the French and Indian War, the
British are in debt.
Start to tax the colonists.
Why the colonists don’t like this
They have always taxed
themselves.
British parliament passes the
taxes; colonists have no
representatives to vote in their
name.
“No taxation without
representation”
King George III
Sugar Act 1764
Tax involving sugar and molasses.
British set up vice-admiralty courts to try
smugglers.
Currency Act of 1764 ( Brits took control
of Colonists currency)
Stamp Act (1765)
An official stamp is needed for nearly all
paper documents.
Colonists Respond
Samuel Adams forms
the “Sons of Liberty” in
Boston.
They terrorize stamp
collectors and destroy
the Governor’s house.
Similar groups emerge
in other colonies
Organize boycotts
Daughters of Liberty
Women who boycott British goods like tea.
Also make things at home that colonists
used to buy from England.
Boston Massacre
A mob in Boston starts
harassing British guards
at the customs house.
Eventually the soldiers
fire into the crowd.
5 people are killed.
Today
New Map
American Revolution Notes.
Thomas Paine
Causes of the American Revolution Chart
Causes of the American Revolution
Recap
How did the Colonists desire for
independence lead to some wanting
revolution?
Why did the British Tax the Colonists?
What was their reaction?
Explain the phrase, “No Taxation without
representation”.
What was the Boston Massacre?
The Tea Act
1773
Tax on American tea
Colonists respond with the “Boston Tea
Party.”
Boston Tea Party
Intolerable Acts
British Response to Boston Tea Party
Brits. Close the port of Boston
Suspend the Govt. of Mass. And appoint a
new one.
Cause 3
Enlightenment Ideas
Revolutionary leaders influenced by the
ideas of the enlightenment.
Enlightenment was an intellectual
movement that stressed natural rights.
Leaders began to question British rule
because they felt that it was infringing
(messing with) their natural rights.
Common Sense
A pamphlet written in 1776
Written by radical Thomas
Paine
Pushed for limited
Government, and personal
freedom
Common Sense flamed
revolutionary sentiments
of the colonists
Sold 600,000 copies
The “British are Coming”?
April, 1775 British attempt to seize
Patriot arms held at Concord.
April 18th, 700 British troops set out
The colonist heard about the plan and
warned the patriots
70 colonists waited for the British to
arrive.
American Myth
“The Regulars are
Coming”
Lexington
Patriot and British troops face off
A shot was fired- then both sides
opened fire.
8 colonists lay dead
First Battle of the American
Revolution
The Musket
American Revolution Recap
Colonists rebel against the British
Thomas Paine writes Common Sense
Rebellion grows.
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson
writes the
“Declaration of
Independence” in
1776.
July 4
Philadelphia
Jefferson’s Argument for
Independence
Many of his ideas come from John Locke.
Everybody had Natural rights—”Life, Liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness.
Purpose of Govt. is to protect Nat. Rights.
Right of people to form new governments if
Govt. is not doing its job.
British Advantages
Professional Army
Best Navy in the
world
1/3 of the colonists
are “loyalists” (Tories)
Slaves and Native
Americans will help
Advantages of Americans
Fighting for
something they
believe in.
Fighting on their
home turf.
Leadership of George
Washington
British Surrender at Saratoga
French Help
After Saratoga—
French form an
alliance with America.
Sends navy and
troops.
Yorktown
Virginia 1781, British
forces trapped
General Washington
pushing in from land
French Navy attacking
from the sea
The British surrender
Britain voted to end the
war
The Treaty of Paris
ended the war
America Independent!
1775-1783
Why the Americans won
They fought a
defensive war—avoid
big defeat.
Help from the French
Brits. Get tired.
1776--1783