Transcript American Revolution Era 1754-1783

THE CAUSES OF THE AMERICAN
REVOLUTION
1754-1783
Causes of the American Revolution
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Mercantilism
British used colonies as source
of raw materials and markets
for goods
colonies could not trade raw
materials to any country but
Great Britain or produce
manufactured goods
This was meant to make the
colonies rely on the British
British rarely enforce these
laws (Salutary Neglect), and
the colonies prospered
as a result, American colonists
have a sense of independence
(economic and political)
French and Indian War (17541763)
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War between British, French and
Indian tribes over control of North
America
Albany Plan of Union Benjamin
Franklin’s proposal for colonial
unity during war. Colonies do not
want to give up freedoms and
reject plan.
Treaty of Paris (1763) French
kicked out of North America, and
British become dominant world
power
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To provide territory to Indians,
British announce Proclamation of
1763 limits colonists’ expansion to
Appalachian Mts.
The impact of this is that the
colonists feel they are being denied
territory they help won, and they
ignore the Proclamation and move
west.
The British also decide to raise taxes
on the colonies to pay for the war
“No Taxation Without
Representation!”
End to policy of salutary neglect
‘No Taxation Without Representation’
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Stamp Act (1765) tax on all
paper goods (newspapers, playing
cards, legal documents)
The colonists protested against this
tax
• Tar and feathered tax collectors
• Stamp Act Congress unified
action by colonies to resist tax
Stamp Act repealed by British
Parliament in 1766
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The colonists succeeded in getting the
Stamp Act repealed by protesting. What
lesson do you think they learned for
future taxes that Parliament and the King
would try to implement on the colonies?
Answer in your notebook.
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Townshend Act
(1767)
tax on many goods
King was trying to
prove he could
still tax the
colonies
Colonists still
protest all taxes
are repealed EXCEPT
tax on tea
Boston Massacre
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In 1768, because
of protests, the
British sent troops
to occupy Boston
The colonists
agreed to boycott
British goods
Lots of tension
between soldiers
and colonists in
Boston as a result
Led to the “Boston
Massacre” in
March 1770
Do Now
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1. Explain why King George III put taxes on the
colonists.
2. What are some reasons why the colonists opposed
taxes like the Stamp Act?
3. Explain how the Boston Massacre was an example
of propaganda by the Sons of Liberty in influencing
colonists’ attitude towards England.
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Tea Act (1773)
King made tea
widely available
and cheap
Trying to get
colonists to buy
tea
Protests lead to
the Boston Tea
Party
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Coercive Acts
(1774)”Intolerable Acts”
Passed in response to the
Boston Tea Party
King George III wanted to
punish the colonies for the
Boston Tea Party
Closed Boston Harbor no
more trade
Allowed for quartering of
soldiers in the homes of
colonists
Many colonists believed war
was inevitable now
First Continental Congress (1774)
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Representatives from the colonies
met in Philadelphia to discuss how
the colonies should respond to the
Intolerable Acts
Why Philadelphia?
How should they respond?
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Ask king for repeal of the
Intolerable Acts
Boycott of British goods
Colonies should keep in touch about
how to deal with these problems
Agree to meet in 1 yr if their
demands aren’t met by King
George III
Why did the colonies declare independence?
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1775 King declares colonies are in
a state of rebellion
1775-1783 Second Continental
Congress
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Meet to deal with the crisis
Organize an army George
Washington named General of
Continental Army
Olive Branch Petition last attempt to
reconcile with the King
1775—Battle of Lexington & Concord
1776—Battle of Bunker Hill
July 4, 1776 Declaration of
Independence
The Declaration of Independence
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Written primarily by Thomas
Jefferson
Influenced by Enlightenment
ideals (reason)
Influenced by John Locke
“life, liberty, property”, natural
rights
Government must protect
natural rights or be overthrown
Purpose
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Explain reasons for revolt
Express people’s natural rights
Convince other nations to help
(ex. France)
Foundations of the Revolution
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Democratic Ideals (Democracy = Rule by the people)
Ancient Greeks direct democracy (Athens)
English history development of democracy
1. Magna Carta (1215)
 First
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time limits were put on the King’s power
2. Glorious Revolution (1689)
 Turned
King into a constitutional monarch (Parliament has
more power)
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3. English Bill of Rights (1689)
 Certain
rights and freedoms are guaranteed
Foundations of the Revolution
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The Enlightenment
1. John Locke (1680s)
influenced Declaration of
Independence
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Said all people have natural
rights, gov’t should protect those
rights
2. Thomas Paine (1776) wrote
“Common Sense”
Said it didn’t make sense that the
colonists should be ruled by a king
 Paine wrote in simple language to
encourage people to support
independence
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The Revolutionary War 1776-1783
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1776 George
Washington loses
several battles to the
British (Boston, New
York)
New strategy
avoid battles, wait
for good
opportunities
If the war lasts long,
hopefully the British
will get tired of war
and grant U.S.
independence
Turning Point of the War
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1777 Battle of Saratoga
The Americans defeat the
British in a major battle
Allows Benjamin Franklin to
negotiate an alliance with
France (they think America
can win the war)
France will give military and
monetary assistance to the
United States
End of the War
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In 1781, the French and
Americans surround the
major British army at
Yorktown, Virginia
Gen. Cornwallis
The British surrender, and
agree to negotiate a
peace treaty
The Treaty of Paris, 1783
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The United States gets
a favorable treaty
1. Great Britain
grants colonies
independence
2. United States
gains all land to
the Mississippi
River
3. Great Britain
promises to
remove all their
troops from U.S.
Wrap Up
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1. What were some historical events that
influenced the American Revolution?
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2. Why was the French alliance important
during the Revolutionary War?
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3. Why was the Treaty of Paris favorable to
the United States?