Causes of the American
Revolution
I Can:
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* Identify the Views of:
___Patriots
___ Loyalists
___ Neutralists
___ I can identify the Proclamation of 1763 and explain why it caused conflict between the
colonists and British.
___ I can identify the Stamp Act and explain why it caused conflict between the colonists and
British.
___ I can identify the Townshend Acts and explain why it caused conflict between the colonists
and British.
___ I can identify the Tea Act and explain why it caused conflict between the colonists and British.
___ I can identify the Intolerable Acts and explain why it caused conflict between the colonists and
British.
___ I can summarize the events of Lexington and Concord
Identify and explain the following actions and groups that protested against British policies
___ Boston Tea Party
___ Boycotts
___ Sons of Liberty
___ Petitions
___ Appeals to Parliament
___ Boston Massacre
___ Committee of Correspondence
___ Continental Congress
Patriots
• American colonists who believed that the
colonists had the right to govern
themselves.
Loyalists
• American colonists who were loyal to the
British government
Neutralists
• Did not support either side. Thought both
groups had good reasons but neither were
strong enough to fight a war over. (The
war was to far away so why bother)
Sitting on the Fence
I Can
• ___ I can identify the Proclamation of 1763
and explain why it caused conflict between
the colonists and British.
Proclamation of 1763
• To keep colonists and
Native Americans from
fighting with each other the
British government drew a
line down the crest of the
Appalachian Mountains.
Settlers had to stay east of
that line.
Views – Proclamation of 1763
• British/Loyalists- Defending the frontier is
to expensive. Colonists would have to pay
for troops
Patriots- Tyranny, The land was already
settled, and it was the only place farmers
could get new cheap land
What Happened?
• Most colonists ignored the new law and
stayed put or continued to migrate pass
the mountains.
• The British army sent 7,500 men to keep
peace on the frontier
I Can
• ___ I can identify the Stamp Act and
explain why it caused conflict between the
colonists and British.
Stamp Act
• The War debt from French and Indian War
had to be paid
• The law required all colonists to buy a
stamp for every piece of paper they used.
• Wills, licenses, playing cards, newspapers,
etc.
How it worked
• Tax collectors collected money from the
colonists
• Money was divided between Parliament
and the King
Views of the Stamp Act
• British and Loyalists –
British citizens have
been paying taxes on
everything. The
colonists are taxed
the least, so why
shouldn’t they pay off
the debt of the French
and Indian War
• Patriots – “ No
Taxation without
Representation”
Parliament had no
right to pass a tax
unless the colonists
had a voice in
Parliament (British
Government). It is a
violation of Rights
What happened?
• Colonists (Patriots and Loyalists) protested by
sending petitions and appeals to Parliament or
refused to buy the stamp
• Sons of Liberty- Protest group that took violent
action. Attacked tax collectors
• Stamp Act was repealed, but Quartering Act
was issued. Colonies must provide food, shelter,
and supplies to British soldiers. Was seen as
another tax.
I Can
• ___ I can identify the Townshend Acts and
explain why it caused conflict between the
colonists and British.
Townshend Acts
• Parliament passed a duty on certain
goods the colonies imported from Britain
to pay British debts. These goods included
glass, paper, lead, ink, and tea
Views of the Townshend Act
• Loyalist/BritishBelieved that the
colonists bad
behavior made it
more important to
keep an eye on them.
Colonists must pay
for the Army sent
there to protect them
• Patriots – Duties were
a tax in disguise.
They violated
colonists rights.
“Taxation without
Representation”
What Happened?
• The Sons of Liberty organized a Boycott
(refusal to buy British products). Boycotts
were peaceful, everybody could support.
• Women (Daughters of Liberty) used home
spun cloth, made tea from pine needles,
and bought only American made products
• Duties were repealed because British
merchants were losing money. Only TEA
will be taxed
What Happened ? Cont.
• The Boston Massacre- Mob violence
breaks out. Patriots started throwing rocks
and snowballs at British troops. British fire
on rioters, five die
Views of Boston Massacre
• British/ Loyalist – It
was proof more
troops were needed
to control Patriot hot
heads
• Patriots – used it as
propaganda to stir up
the people. It was
proof that all troops
need to leave
colonies
I Can Quiz #1
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1. Who (Neutralist, Patriot, Loyalist) would make the following statements about the
Boston Massacre?
__________ “Throw snowballs men; we do not need their taxes!”
__________ “Why won’t they just give us representation and end all of this?”
__________ “They got what they deserved, I hope all the thugs are punished! “
2. Proclamation of 1763:
What was it?
Why were colonists angered?
3. Stamp Act
What was it?
Why were colonists angered?
4. Townshend Acts
What was it?
Why were colonists angered?
5. Describe two actions taken by colonial patriots to protest the authority of the British
government in the years leading up to the American Revolution?
6. Explain what is meant by “No taxation without representation”
I Can
• ___ I can identify the Tea Act and explain
why it caused conflict between the
colonists and British
Tea Act
• After the Townshend Acts were repealed a
tax on tea was left. British allowed one
British tea company have a monopoly on
tea in the colonies. American merchants
could not set their own prices.
Views of the Tea Act
• British and Loyalists – • Patriots – If they can
The British East
place a monopoly on
Indian Tea Company
tea, what will stop
needed to be saved.
them from doing it to
The boycotts have put
other products
it close to bankruptcy
What Happened?
• Boston Tea Party- The Son’s of Liberty
dressed up as Indians and boarded a tea
ship. They dumped 90,000 lbs. in Boston
Harbor
I Can
• ___ I can identify the Intolerable Acts and
explain why it caused conflict between the
colonists and British.
Intolerable Acts
• They were designed to
punish Massachusetts
• Boston Harbor is closed
• Massachusetts
government was
suspended
• More troops sent to
Boston
Views of the Intolerable Acts
• British and LoyalistsIt is no longer about
Taxes it was about
British control of her
colonies
• Patriots- If the King
could do this to one
colony what will stop
him from doing it to
others.
What Happened?
• Colonies Unite- Other colonies support Massachusetts
by sending aide.
• Committees of Correspondence- Information of British
abuses would be shared between the colonies through
newspapers
• First Continental Congress- Delegates from 12 colonies
met to discuss issues. They sent a message to the king
and called for another boycott
I Can
• ___ I can summarize the events of
Lexington and Concord
Events of Lexington & Concord
• Colonies form Militias (Civilian Armies)
• King George believes the colonies are in
rebellion
• British troops are sent to destroy militia
supplies
• Paul Revere warns
the militias
Events of Lexington & Concord
Cont.
• Minutemen gather in Lexington to deter
British- “Shot Heard Around the World”,
Minutemen retreat.
• British go on to Concord. Minutemen
engage and hold their ground. The British
flee. They are shot the whole way back to
Boston.
• Americans proved they would fight for
rights
I Can Quiz #2
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1. Tea Act:
What was it?
Why were patriots angered?
2. Intolerable Acts
What where they?
Why were patriots angered?
3.Summarize the events of Lexington and Concord?
4. Explain the Committees of Correspondence?
5. Explain the importance of the 1st Continental
Congress and what actions did they take.