CAUSES OF THE AMERICAN
REVOLUTION
I CAN:
* 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 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 identify the Stamp Act and Sugar Act explain
why it caused conflict between the colonists and British.
STAMP ACT AND SUGAR ACT
The War debt from French and Indian War had to be
paid
The Stamp Act required all colonists to buy a stamp for
every piece of paper they used.
Wills, licenses, playing cards, newspapers, etc.
The Sugar Act placed a tax on molasses and guaranteed
that England would have a monopoly on the sugar trade.
HOW IT WORKED
Tax collectors collected money from the colonists
Money was divided between Parliament and the King
VIEWS OF THE STAMP ACT AND
SUGAR 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 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/British- Believed
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
I Can Quiz 1– Causes of American Revolution
1. Who are Neutralist, Patriot, Loyalist?
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. Identify and 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 the situation that led to the phrase “No taxation without representation”
and what is meant by it.
7. Challenge Question: You are a colonist living in New York City. You have a very
successful trade business and have a good relationship with British Merchants. Up until
this point you have been pretty neutral on the current situation between the colonies
and Great Britain. Because of the ongoing crisis you are forced to choose sides. Which
side would you choose and give several reasons why.
___ 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 – The
British East Indian Tea
Company needed to be
saved. The boycotts have
put it close to bankruptcy
Patriots – If they can place
a monopoly on tea, what
will stop them from doing
it to other products
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 identify the Intolerable Acts (Coercive 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
Quebec Act- The new England
Colonies would become part of
Canada
VIEWS OF THE INTOLERABLE
ACTS
British and Loyalists- It 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 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
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 1 st Continental Congress and
what actions did they take.