Causes of the American Revolution

Causes of the American Revolution • Imperialism:Great Britain and the colonists have different goals. Method of rule in the colonies begins to change as a result.

Causes of the American Revolution 2) Enlightenment: a) Social Contract Theory of John Locke b) Natural rights c) Duty of government: d) Challenge authority

Causes of the American Revolution 3) Great Awakening: a) Widespread b) passionate belief c) Sense of equality d) willingness to challenge authority

Causes of the American Revolution 3) French-Indian War: a) GB is broke. b) Increased taxes and control c) Colonist resist taxes and control. d) Tension exists and increased over time

Causes of the American Revolution 4) Virtual Representation: The House of Commons represented all British subjects wherever they were. George Grenville

Causes of the American Revolution 5) Right to Self-Tax: According to British Law taxation could not exist without consent. Self imposed taxes were customary in the colonies.

Taxes • External Taxes: imposed to regulate trade. Parliament • Internal Taxes: imposed to raise revenue. Colonial legislatures

Consent of the Governed • A condition urged by many as a requirement for legitimate government: that the authority of a government should depend on the consent of the people, as expressed by votes in elections. See Declaration of Independence, democracy, and John Locke.)

Rights • Where do natural or inalienable rights come from? • How do we know? • What are they? • How can they be known? • How can they be protected?

Acts and Laws that cause tension • Declaratory Act: • Parliament has the right to legislate for the colonies in all cases whatsoever. • (mercantilism, imperialism) • What is good for England is policy!

Acts and Laws that cause tension • Townsend Duties • Taxes paid by importer and pass on to the consumer. • Glass, tea, lead, paper, paint

Acts and Laws that cause tension • Quartering Act: • Required colonies to furnish shelter and provisions for British troops. • Later expanded to putting soldiers into private homes.

Acts and Laws that cause tension • Proclamation of 1763: • No settlers West of Appalachian Mts. • GB is trying to avoid Indian Wars. • Increased unrest in the colonies

Boycotts, Activism, Tension • Nonconsumption: Boycott of British goods. • Treatment of tax collectors: • Mob rule: • Tar and feathering:

Boston Massacre: March 5, 1770 • 5 dead • 11 wounded • 9 soldiers tried for murder in Boston • 7 acquitted • 2 convicted of manslaughter • John Adams, Josiah Quincey

Boston Tea Party Dec. 16, 1773 • 100-150 men • Dump Tea into Boston Harbor • Leads to the Coercive Acts

Committees of Correspondence • System of communication put in place to link the colonies, cities and towns to news and events.

Acts and Laws that cause tension • Coercive Acts • Port of Boston closed • Parliaments supremacy enhanced • Power of Royal Gov. expanded • Councils are now appointed • Representation is gone • Trials of capital crimes in England or Canada. • Military Rule

First Continental Congress • Organized through committees of correspondence to respond to British actions. • Not elected positions • Not recognized by GB

First Continental Congress • Declaration of Rights: • Peace • Liberty • Security • Representation • Acknowledge GB regulation of trade • Self-taxation

First Continental Congress • Committees of Public Safety: • Created by Continental Congress to enforce the boycott of British goods that they organized.

Legitimacy??? • Committees of Correspondence • Committees of Public Safety • Continental Congress • British view: • Patriot view:

Battle of Lexington and Concord • April 19, 1775 • “Shot Heard Around the World” • First Fighting of the War • American Victory

Terms: • Liberty • Tyranny • Militia • Virtual Representation • Consent of the governed • External Taxes • Internal Taxes • Convicted • Acquittal • Manslaughter • Citizen • Subject • Inalienable rights • Common Law • Constitution • Parliament • Enlightenment • Despotism • Absolutism

Causes of the American Revolution