Session 2: The American
Revolution
The Causes for Revolt
Class Objectives
• Explain the effects of British colonialism in the Americas by
understanding mercantilism, Navigation Acts and Salutary
Neglect.
• Identify the cause, participants and victor and treaty that ended
the French and Indian War
• Assess the 3 effects of the French and Indian War on the
American Revolution
• Identify the Proclamation of 1763, Sugar Act, Stamp Act and
Townshend Acts and the response of the colonists.
•
Explain the significance of the Boston Massacre, Tea Act and
Intolerable Acts and the response of the colonists.
The Build-up to Revolution
• Phase I: British Colonial Actions 1608-1754
• Phase II: The French and Indian War 1754-1763
• Phase III: British Colonial Actions 1763-1775
Phase I: British Colonial Actions
1608-1754
• Britain like its rivals was influenced by
mercantilism , or the goal of selfsufficiency and used their colonies to
achieve this
• When the colonies began to trade with
Britain’s rivals, the Navigation Acts
(1651) were passed limiting colonial
trade to Britain only.
• In the 1680’s Britain eased its governing
policies and regulations on the
colonies…Salutary Neglect … which
allowed the colonial governments to
have more self-ruling capabilities.
Phase II: The French and Indian War
1754-1763
• Cause: Colonial rivals Britain and France
were in dispute over control over of the
Ohio River Valley and overall domination
of North America.
• Participants: The British, the American
Colonists and their Indian allies against
the French and their Indian allies.
• Outcome: After over 7 years of fighting,
the British prevailed and took control of
North America east of the Mississippi.
The Treaty of Paris in 1763 officially
ended the war.
Phase III: British Colonial Actions
1763-1775
•
Effects of the French and Indian
War…
1. New lands were open to settlement
creating tension between colonists
and Native Americans.
2. 10,000 British troops were stationed
in the Americas to maintain order
which angered many colonists.
3. The British had a sizeable debt after
the war and looked to the American
Colonies to help relieve it through
taxation.
Check for Understanding
• What is mercantilism, how did it control British colonial
policies?
• What was the purpose of the Navigation Acts?
• What is salutary neglect, what did it provide for the colonists.
• What was the main cause of the French and Indian
War?…who fought…who won?
• What were the three effects of the French and Indian War for
the British.
Activity
– 1. Complete the information box on
the back of your note sheet.
– 2. Create a simple protest poster that
accurately portrays the colonists feeling
towards the British action.
– 3. Present the information gathered by
your group to the class and explain
your poster.
Check for Understanding
• What was the significance of the Proclamation of 1763
• What was the significance of the Sugar Act
• What was the significance of the Townshend Act
• What was the significance of the Stamp Act
• What was the significance of the Boston Massacre
• What was the significance of the Tea Act
• What was the significance of the Intolerable Acts
Next Class
• Homework: Review
Notes
• Session III: The American
Revolution- Colonial
Response and Sympathies.
• Quiz on Wednesday:
Sessions I and II.