Causes of the American Revolution
1756-63 - The French and Indian Wars - The French and Indian War (also known
as the "Seven Years War") saw the British pitted against the French. In 1759 the
British General James Wolfe defeated the French in the decisive Battle of the Plains
of Abraham at Quebec City. The colonists were glad to see the defeat of the French
because it removed a threat to their security and expansion. The British had spent
82 million pounds fighting the French and Indian War and this had put them heavily
in debt. The British government believed that it was only fair for the colonist to pay
a share of the expenses since much of the war was fought in North America to
protect them. The idea of the British government taxing the colonies was strongly
opposed by the colonists. (Map Page 12; Page 32 Arguments for/against taxation)
1763 – The Proclamation of 1763 – After the French and Indian War the colonists
believed that they would be able to move freely into the territory west of the
Appalachian Mountains. However, the threat of further trouble with the
Amerindians (Chief Pontiac led many rebellions in 1763) plus the fear of
uncontrolled expansion resulted in the British government issuing a Proclamation of
1763. This law established an Indian Territory between the Appalachian Mountains
and the Mississippi River. Colonists were forbidden to cross the mountains to settle
in these lands. The colonists were angry because they believed they had the right to
expand their territory in the West. (Map Page 31)
1764– Sugar Act - In 1764 the British for the first time imposed a series of taxes
designed specifically to raise revenue from the colonies. The Sugar tax placed
indirect taxes on such goods as cloth, sugar, wine, and coffee. These taxes were
included in the prices of the products. Despite British attempts to enforce the Sugar
Act, most colonists avoided paying these taxes. Britain also wanted to enforce
previous taxes and laws which restricted smuggling and bribing of government
officials. (quote p.33)
1765 Stamp Act Passed – The Stamp Act directly taxed the colonists for the first
time since government taxation stamps had to be purchased and attached to all legal
documents (i.e. marriage licenses, newspapers, and 47 other documents). The
colonists responded with vocal protests. Not only did these taxes hurt their
pocketbooks, but they were highly visible (i.e. they were needed for every day
transactions). The protests, which grew, began developing new slogans; including
"no taxation without representation". (quote p.33&35)
1765- Sons of Liberty Organized -One of the American reactions to the stamp act
was the creation of secret organizations throughout the colonies, known as the Sons
of Liberty. Led by prominent citizens, such as Samuel Adams they resorted to
coercion to force stamp agents to resign their posts and boycotted taxed goods. Tax
collectors were "tarred and feathered," that is, they were smeared with tar, rolled in
feathers, tied to a rail and carried around town. Opposition became so general that
the English Parliament repealed the Act. (quote p.36)
1767 Townshend Acts Imposed - Even though England repealed the Stamp Act
British Parliament was still determined to tax the colonists and show them who was
in control. In 1763 the Townshend Acts were passed by Parliament. These laws
included indirect taxes on lead, paint, paper, glass and tea imported by colonists. In
addition, the New York legislature was suspended until it agreed to quarter British
soldiers. The Acts also insured that colonial officials, including governors and
judges, would receive their salaries directly from the Crown.
1767- Colonists Impose Boycott - The most important colonial protest to the
Townshend Act was the agreement not to import British goods, especially luxury
products. The Non-importation agreement slowly grew to include merchants in all
of the colonies, with the exception of New Hampshire. Within a year importation
from Britain dropped almost in half.
1768 British Troops Land - In response to colonial protest and increasing attacks
on colonial officials by the Sons of Liberty", Lord Hillsborough, Secretary of State
for the Colonies, dispatched tow regiments-(4,000 troops), to restore order in
Boston. The daily contact between British soldiers and colonists served to worsen
relations. (quote p.37 )(Rd. 30-36 answer 1-3 on page 36)(Biography: Thomas Hutchinson: list major points
which make this person historically significant)
1770- Boston Massacre - An armed clash between the British and the colon (ists
was almost inevitable from the moment British troops were introduced in Boston.
Brawls were constant between the British and the colonists, who were constantly
insulting the troops. On March 5, 1770, a crowd of sixty townspeople surrounded
British sentries guarding the customs house. They began pelting snowballs at the
guards. Suddenly, a shot rang out, followed by several others. Ultimately, 11
colonists were hit. Five were dead, including Crispus Attucks, a former slave.
(primary source: trial transcript p.38)
1770 Townshend Act Repealed - The British parliament repealed the Townshend
duties on all but tea. Falling colonial imports and raising opposition convinced the
British government that its policies were not working. The British government
maintained the taxes on tea, in order to underscore the supremacy of parliament.
1772 Cutter Gaspee Burned - On the afternoon of June 9th, 1772 the British
revenue schooner the Gaspee ran aground, south of Providence, Rhode Island. That
night eight boatloads of men led by merchant John Brown stormed the ship. After
overwhelming the crew they burned the ship. The British government announced
that when the perpetrators were caught they would be tried in England and not in
the colonies. None of the perpetrators were discovered by the British.
1773 Boston Tea Party - Protests in the colonies against the Stamp Acts had died
down when Parliament passed the Tea Act. The new act granted a monopoly on tea
trade in the Americas to the East India Tea Company. The Governor of
Massachusetts, Thomas Hutchinson, insisted that tea be unloaded in Boston, despite
a boycott organized by the Sons of Liberty. On the evening of December 16th,
thousands of Bostonians and farmers from the surrounding countryside packed into
the Old South Meeting house to hear Samuel Adams. Adams denounced the
Governor for denying clearance for vessels wishing to leave with tea still on board.
After his speech the crowd headed for the waterfront. From the crowd, 50
individuals emerged dressed as Indians. They boarded three vessels docked in the
harbor and threw 90,000 pounds of tea overboard.
1774- Coercive Acts Imposed - The British were shocked by the destruction of the
tea in Boston Harbor and other colonial protests. The British parliament gave its
speedy assent to a series of acts that became known as the "Coercive Acts"; or in
the colonies as the "Intolerable Acts". These acts included the closing of the port of
Boston, until such time as the East India tea company received compensation for
the tea dumped into the harbor. The Royal governor took control over the
Massachusetts government and would appoint all officials. Sheriffs would become
royal appointees, as would juries. In addition, the British took the right to quarter
soldiers anywhere in the colonies. (primary source: p.39)
1774- First Continental Congress - The first Continental Congress met in
Philadelphia, from September 5th to October 26th 1774. The task of the first
Continental Congress was to define the relationship between the Colonists and the
British government, in light of the "Coercive Acts" passed by the British
Parliament. Colonists were united in their belief that the British had no right to tax
them. They felt the only power the British should be entitled to was some form of
regulation of trade. The Continental Congress debated various ideas for a new union
with Great Britain, but ultimately concentrated on fighting British actions. They
reached an agreement to stop all trade with Britain, until the Coercive Acts were
repealed. The Congress voted that all Americans would stop drinking tea from the
East India Company. The Congress did not, however, agree to demands of some of
the more radical members who insisted upon the immediate formation of a
Continental army. (quote: p.38)
Homework/Classwork: Read pages 36-44 answer 1-3 on page 44
Biography: Samuel Adams: Page 40: list major points which make this person
historically significant