Causes of the Revolution

1
Causes of the Revolution
2
Proclamation of 1763

• It all began with the French and Indian Wars
• Britain would not allow colonists to settle west
  of the Appalachians.
• Colonists were angered by the law.
• Colonists were given the responsibility to pay
  for their defense.

3
King George III

• Needed to please the English and the colonists.
• To keep peace in America he sent 10,000 troops.

4
Sugar Act 1764

• Colonial Assemblies were allowed to give input on
  new taxes until the Sugar Act.
• The act lessened the tax on sugar and molasses to
  encourage colonists to stop smuggling.
• Colonists were angered that their rights as
  English citizens were violated. (How were their
  rights violated?)

5
James Otis

• Taxation without representation is Tyranny!
• Lawyer from Boston.

6
Stamp Act 1765

• A law passed by Parliament.
• All legal documents must carry an official stamp
  showing the tax was paid.
• Diplomas
• Contracts
• Newspapers
• Wills
• Paper
• What effect would this have on the Colonists?
• Many colonists began protesting the British
  actions.

7
Patrick Henry

• A member of the Virginia House of Burgesses.
• Encourage colonists to resist the Stamp Act.
• No taxation without representation.
• Passed a resolution to condemn Britains tax.
• Boycotts began to be organized on all British
  goods.

8
Quartering Act 1765

• To keep costs of the war low.
• Colonists were required to quarter British
  soldiers.
• Colonists must provide food and supplies.

9
Samuel Adams

• Politician from Massachusetts.
• Started the Sons of Liberty.
• Organized protests against the Stamp Act.
• Customs officials were attacked.
• Paper was burned.
• Stamp Act was repealed in 1766.

10
Townshend Act 1767

• British leaders continue to try to raise revenues
  for Britain.
• This act was a tax on all imported goods.
• Glass
• Paper
• Paint
• Lead
• Tea
• Writs of Assistance were issued. These were
  search warrants that British officials used to
  search for illegal goods.
• New Yorks assembly is suspended.

11
Boston

• Samuel Adams lead protests urging colonists to
  resist British control.
• Trade with Britain fell sharply.
• Major port of trade between America and Britain.

12
Boston Massacre 1770

• 1000 soldiers were stationed in Boston.
• Dock workers were protesting at a customs house.
• Lobsters vs. Yankees
• 5 people were killed. Crispus Attucks was one of
  the dead.
• This event fueled the anger of the colonists.
  (Propaganda)
• This same year the Townshend Acts were repealed.
• Committees of Correspondence were organized by
  Samuel Adams. These committees were a form of
  self government and organization by the colonies.

13
Boston MassacrePropaganda
14
Tea Act 1773

• British East India Company was given complete
  control of the tea market.
• Colonists must pay a tax on regulated tea.
• Protests broke out all over the colonies in
  response.
• Boston Tea Party 342 chests of tea were
  destroyed by members of the Sons of Liberty.
• Massachusetts offered to repay the damages if the
  Tea Act was repealed.
• Britain rejected the offer and wanted those
  responsible to be brought to justice.

15
Coercive Acts or Intolerable Acts1774

• This was to punish Massachusetts for the tea
  party.
• Closed Bostons port.
• Banned committees of correspondence.
• Quarter troops wherever necessary.
• British officials would be tried in court in
  Britain.

16
First Continental Congress 1774

• Members from each colony were sent to discuss
  actions.
• Wanted an immediate repeal of acts.
• Delegates voted to ban all trade with Britain.
• Ordered each colony to begin raising their own
  militias.

17
1774

• Each side began preparing for war.
• Spying on military activity.
• Colonists set up a large ammunition depot in
  Concord.
• British General Thomas Gage issues arrest
  warrants for Samuel Adams and John Hancock.
  Also, troops were ordered to destroy the
  ammunition depot.
• Paul Revere, William Dawes, Samuel Prescott and
  Joseph Warren organize an alert system of British
  military movements.

18
Lexington and Concord

• one if by land, two if by sea. The old North
  Church lights to warn of British soldiers
  advancing.
• Revere and Dawes were captured but their messages
  went through to Concord and Lexington.
• Adams and Hancock escaped capture.

19
Minute Men at Lexington and Concord

• Ready at a moments notice

20
Battle of Lexington and Concord

• 4000 militia vs. 1700 British regulars.
• The shot heard around the world. Ralph Waldo
  Emerson.
• British troops surround Boston.
• Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys capture
  Fort Ticonderoga and a large supply of artillery.

21
Second Continental Congress 1775

• Philadelphia
• The Continental Army is formed.
• George Washington is chosen as general.
• Authorized the use of paper money to pay troops.

22
Battle of Bunker Hill 1775

• Breeds Hill taken by 1200 militia.
• 2200 British regulars attack.
• Colonal William Prescott Dont fire untill you
  see the whites of their eyes!
• British lose over 1000 troops
• Militia loses around 400
• Militia proved it could fight against the
  British.
• Boston is taken over by the British.

23
Olive Branch Petition

• Congress attempts to make peace with the King.
• The King rejects the offer and blocks all
  American ports.
• Hessian Troops hired to fight against the
  Americans.

24
1776

• Thomas Paine writes Common Sense to convince
  Americans to break free from British rule.
• General Washington surrounds Boston with heavy
  artillery.
• 9000 troops and 100 ships are forced to depart.
• A committee is formed to write a declaration of
  independence.
• Thomas Jefferson writes the declaration.
• July 4, 1776 congress adopts the Declaration of
  Independence. The Declaration explains why
  America is breaking away and how their rights
  have been violated.