Causes of the American

RevolutionSSUSH3 The student will explain the primary causes of the American Revolution. a. Explain how the end of Anglo-French imperial competition as seen in the French and Indian War and the 1763 Treaty of Paris laid the groundwork for the American Revolution. b. Explain colonial response to such British actions as the Proclamation of 1763, the Stamp Act, and the Intolerable Acts as seen in Sons and Daughters of Liberty and Committees of Correspondence. c. Explain the importance of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense to the movement for independence.

French & French & Indian WarIndian War Great Britain and Great Britain and

France arch enemiesFrance arch enemies Began to fight over Began to fight over

land (Ohio River Valley) land (Ohio River Valley) in North America.in North America.

Most Indians supported Most Indians supported the fur trading French the fur trading French because the French because the French only built forts and not only built forts and not permanent settlements.permanent settlements.

In the end, British In the end, British win!!!win!!!

1763 Treaty of Paris1763 Treaty of Paris Ended the French and Indian War.Ended the French and Indian War. Forced France to give up all land claims Forced France to give up all land claims

in N. America east of the Mississippi in N. America east of the Mississippi River (with the exception of New River (with the exception of New Orleans).Orleans).

Gave G. Britain total control over all Gave G. Britain total control over all American colonies. Took away “salutary American colonies. Took away “salutary neglect”neglect”

Colonists objected to the loss of control Colonists objected to the loss of control over their own affairs. Tensions grew.over their own affairs. Tensions grew.

Growing TensionsGrowing Tensions King George III of England issued theKing George III of England issued the

Proclamation of 1763Proclamation of 1763 which forbade which forbade Americans to settle in the lands west Americans to settle in the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains. of the Appalachian Mountains. RationaleRationale: the British soldiers couldn’t : the British soldiers couldn’t protect the colonists if they moved protect the colonists if they moved out there.out there.

ParliamentParliament (British lawmaking body)(British lawmaking body) began to pass laws tobegan to pass laws to tax the colonisttax the colonist in order to pay for the cost of keeping in order to pay for the cost of keeping an army in America.an army in America.

The Taxation Acts

• The King of England started taxing the colonists in the form of Taxation Acts in 1764.

• He felt that the colonists should bear the burden of the expense of maintaining the colonies.

The Sugar, Stamp & Declaratory Acts

• The Sugar Act was the first law passed by the King of England that over taxed the colonists on goods shipped to the colonies.

• The Stamp Act was another taxation law on the colonists. This act taxed newspapers, almanacs, legal documents, pamphlets, dice, and playing cards.

• Stamp Act repealed, but replaced with the Declaratory Act which said Parliament had the right to make all laws for the colonies.

Colonial ResistanceColonial Resistance

Secret patriotic group Secret patriotic group “Sons of Liberty” is “Sons of Liberty” is formed. Led by Sam formed. Led by Sam Adams.Adams.

TacticsTactics: used threats : used threats and demonstrationsand demonstrations

““Daughters of Daughters of Liberty” began to Liberty” began to boycott British goodsboycott British goods

First example of the First example of the colonies really unitingcolonies really uniting

The Boston Massacre• The Boston Massacre: a conflict

between the British soldiers and colonists that occurred on March 5, 1770.

• The soldiers opened fire on an unfriendly crowd of colonists after they started throwing things at the soldiers.

• This resulted in the death of 3 Americans. (Crispus Attucks)

• Several state assemblies then created Committees of Correspondence whose job was to secretly get information about opposition to the British out the all of the colonies

The Boston Tea Party

• The Boston Tea Party occurred on December 16, 1773.

• Unhappy with the Tea Act imposed by Great Britain, the colonists (Sons of Liberty) dressed as Mohawk Indians boarded ships in Boston Harbor loaded with tea. They dumped the tea and the crates into the water.

Intolerable Intolerable ActsActs Real Name:Real Name: Coercive ActsCoercive Acts

Issued as punishment for the Issued as punishment for the Boston Tea PartyBoston Tea Party

Closed Boston HarborClosed Boston Harbor Disallowed local elections & Disallowed local elections &

local political jobs.local political jobs. Stated that any British official Stated that any British official

who broke the law in the who broke the law in the colonies would be tried in colonies would be tried in England & not the colonies.England & not the colonies.

Also, forced the colonists to Also, forced the colonists to quarter British soldiers in their quarter British soldiers in their homes.homes.

Reaction to the Intolerable ActsReaction to the Intolerable Acts ““No taxation without No taxation without

representation!”representation!”

First Continental First Continental Congress forms Congress forms colonial militias colonial militias

Colonists boycott Colonists boycott British tea and British tea and all all other British goodsother British goods

Created a huge push Created a huge push toward revolution.toward revolution.

Thomas Paine & Thomas Paine & Common SenseCommon Sense A 50 page pamphlet that A 50 page pamphlet that

said it was time for the said it was time for the colonies to break away colonies to break away from Englandfrom England

Called for a republican Called for a republican form of government under form of government under a written constitutiona written constitution

Had a BIG impact on Had a BIG impact on convincing people it was convincing people it was time for a revolution.time for a revolution.

Shots fired at Shots fired at Lexington and ConcordLexington and Concord This was first battle in the War of Independence, This was first battle in the War of Independence,

April 1775 April 1775 British General Thomas Gage sent 700 soldiers to British General Thomas Gage sent 700 soldiers to

destroy the guns and ammunition the colonists had destroy the guns and ammunition the colonists had stored in the town of Concord, just outside of stored in the town of Concord, just outside of Boston. They also planned to arrest Samuel Adams Boston. They also planned to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock and John Hancock

Colonials and the Redcoats met along the way and Colonials and the Redcoats met along the way and fighting began.fighting began.

““Shot heard around the world”Shot heard around the world”

“The Road to Revolution”

• The French and Indian War, the Taxation Acts, the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the Intolerable Acts were the five main causes that lead to the American Revolution.

The American Revolution• SSUSH4 The student will identify the ideological, military, and

diplomatic aspects of the American Revolution.

• a. Explain the language, organization, and intellectual sources of the Declaration of Independence; include the writing of John

Locke and Montesquieu, and the role of Thomas Jefferson.

• b. Explain the reason for and significance of the French alliance and foreign assistance and the roles of Benjamin Franklin and the Marquis de Lafayette.

• c. Analyze George Washington as a military leader; include the creation of a professional military and the life of a common soldier, and describe the significance of the crossing of the Delaware River and Valley Forge.

• d. Explain Yorktown, the role of Lord Cornwallis, and the Treaty of Paris, 1783.

Independence Declared

Enlightenment: John Locke

• Social Contract Theory: governments are formed with the consent of citizens.

• The most important rights are: Life, Liberty, and Property.

• The state exists only to protect these rights.

• If a government fails in this task, citizens should rebel against it and create a government that will protect them.

The Declaration of Independence

• Written by Thomas Jefferson, taken from the ideas of Franklin, Locke, Montesquieu, Adams, and others.

• Helped to convince the colonists that American independence was supported by the ideas of important men.

• Natural Rights: “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The Declaration of Independence

• Jefferson planned and wrote the Declaration and divided it into several parts; each part having a specific theme and purpose:

Declaration of Independence

• Part 1: Preamble: Introduction• Part 2: The reasons for seeking

independence• Part 3: Examples of how King George III

had violated the rights of the colonists.

• Part 4: Declaring Independence & controlling their own government.

Loyalists or Tories• Not everyone was

ready to declare independence.

• Colonists who wanted to remain loyal to Great Britain were called Loyalists or “Tories”

George Washington & the Continental Army

• Serving unselfishly without pay and at great personal risk throughout the American Revolution, Washington triumphed against all odds overcoming the most powerful nation on earth.

Life for the Common Soldier

• Poorly disciplined at first – Washington worked to train them

• Little to no supplies. Soldiers often brought their own guns

• Army had problems providing wages, housing, food, clothing, and equipment.

Crossing the Delaware to Trenton

• It was Christmas, and the Hessians (German mercenaries) were on the other side of the Delaware River – drunk

• Washington leads a surprise early morning attack and is successful!

• Victory boosts the troops morale.

Valley Forge, Pa.• 1777-1778: 12,000

soldiers - extreme cold winter

• Soldiers had very little food, winter clothes, blankets, etc. Some even wrapped rags around their feet because they had no shoes.

• Washington continued to train the men and turned them into a strong army.

French Alliance• Benjamin Franklin,

ambassador to France, convinced the French to support the Continental Army

• The Marquis de Lafayette, a prominent French citizen & friend of Washington volunteered to assist the Americans.

• He provided military assistance and played a major role in the American Revolution

American Victory

• Last battle of the Revolution: Battle of Yorktown in 1781

• Lord Cornwallis, leader of the British troops was forced to surrender after his army was surrounded by French and American forces.

Treaty of Paris• Formally ended the War

• Gave freedom to all 13 colonies

• Established boundaries between British North America and the United States with the U.S. gaining fishing rights off the coast of Canada.

• Restored land to loyalists• Released POW’s on both

sides

Role of Others in the Struggle

War Effort

Men

American Indians

many volunteeredfor army

fought on both sides but many remained neutral

Women

served as nurses, spies, or messengers; ran farms or businesses; some fought

in battles

African Americans

many fought for British to gain freedom; free African Americans were allowed to

join patriots