Introduction to the
American Revolution
VS
King George III
General George Washington
Tensions Rise

To the British, the colonies existed to enhance
the power of the Empire – they were both a
source of raw materials, and a market for
British goods.
Boston in 1646
The British Empire
personified.


However, some colonists had entirely different
motives. Many, of course, put their own interests
before those of the Empire.
They had little interest in sacrificing their own
economic development for that of the Empire, and
began to bristle at increasing levels of British control.
The Sons of Liberty tar and
feather a British tax official.
A Sons of Liberty woodcut that was
ubiquitous among the colonies.
New Policies








Britain introduced measures that favoured its own economic interests
over those of the colonies.
Trade and Navigation Act 1651: All goods shipped between England
and the colonies had to be carried in ships built either in England or in the
colonies.
Enumerated commodities: Specific colonial products that could be
shipped only to Britain (tobacco, cotton, indigo, sugar).
“Broken voyage” American ships returning from Europe were forced to
stop at the English port to pay a duty on the goods they had purchased.
Molasses Act 1733: Favoured sugar plantation owners in the British
West Indies by putting a tax on the importation of sugar and molasses
from the colonies.
Woolen Act 1732: Forbade the colonies to export woolen goods.
Hat Act 1732: Made it illegal for hatmakers to sell their goods outside
the colonies.
Iron Act 1750: Restricted the manufacture of iron.
Salutary Neglect

While taking measures to restrict the development
of the colonial economy, Britain followed a policy of
salutary neglect (non-interference), which allowed
the colonists to govern their own affairs.
The House of Burgesses, (the
first elected body in the New
World) in Jamestown,
Virginia.



First of all, the colonies were 3,000 miles away! It was very
difficult for the British to exert control on people so far away.
Second of all, many British revenue officers didn’t bother to
go to America; they sent deputies who often didn’t take their
duties seriously.
Over the years, colonists became accustomed to avoiding
British laws. In order to avoid taxes and other restrictions,
colonial ships resorted to widespread smuggling.
Smugglers landing at Shoreham, New York.
Treaty of Paris, 1763

After defeating the French in North America, Great
Britain was able to focus its attention on further
development of the colonies.
The British victory on the Plains of Abraham, Quebec.


However, Britain had run up a massive war debt. To Britain,
it was obvious that the colonies should help alleviate this
massive debt.
However, colonists reacted to increased taxes with
resentment, and some began to see the British as exploiting
the colonies for their own ends.
Protest against the Stamp Act