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Roots of the Revolution
There are 2 major wars that were main reason for the revolution one of which being The Glorious Revolution.
There was also reasons such as enforcement of mercantilist structures and corruption of Parliament and West Indian interests. -
Rising population of America
1700 – colonial American population was 1/20th of the British Isles.
1750 – colonial American population was 1/5th of the British Isles.
American population doubled between 1750 and 1770 (2 million). -
The Seven Years War
The Seven Years War has to be one of the biggest reasons for the war. After the war the relationship between England and the Colonies changed. -
Economic Changes
With America growing so rapidly and the population expanding more goods were necessary. Crops such as wheat, tobacco and rice were what was needed. But with the more need of goods England raised the taxes on goods needed. As the goods were a necessity Americans had to pay and many ended up with debt to English merchants. -
A people apart
Colonist began viewing America in their own way.
Recruiting literature depiction of colonies
– Land easily obtainable
– Prosperity directly related to the hard work of one's own
– Government was nonexistent
– All beliefs and creeds tolerated -
Enlightenment
Philosophers such as Voltaire and Montesquieu viewed America and its people differently. They believed that America was proof that free people can be happy, peaceful enlightened and governed. -
Superiority and negativity
Americans saw England as corrupt. The elections were corrupt. Less democracy and civil liberty so the lower classes could not rise up. An aristocracy which manipulated the political and economic system for personal benefit.
After all this people Americans saw America different from England but superior. They believed it being free and not corrupt as well as prosperous. -
A Major Breach
One big reason for the breach was that the England and American cultures and people were very different. Over the span of 7 years starting in 1763 many disputes occurred and this just kept getting worse. -
Independence or Stupidity
Although most people thought that independence was in the future and that they were capable of being self-governed, other more "educated" people believed that the common man was uneducated and uncultured. They also believed being governed by England was a good thing. -
The Taxes start rolling in
The purpose of the taxes was to stop Americans from raising up and becoming a mega power. As well as having huge debt due to war, totals about $137 million. They really started taxing because they need the money asap. -
Sugar Act "No taxation without representation."
After the Molasses act was gone it was replaced with the Sugar Act. Although many different goods were taxed the biggest one was lumber. This lead to the smuggling of molasses but it also lead to stricter enforcement. After a decline in revenue Samuel Adams drafted a report on the Sugar Act for the Massachusetts assembly, in which he denounced the act as an infringement of the rights of the colonists. -
Quartering Act
The quartering act was a tough one for Americans because they were being forced to house soldier even if they do not want to. -
Stamp Act
The stamp act was a huge act because it targeted something oh so common being paper. As well as the tax could only be paid using "hard currency" which is very rare as opposed to the colonial paper money. This was done to limit the growth of college students and professors. -
Tea Act
Possibly the most important act passed even though it was on something so simple like tea, it was followed by some very huge backlash and consequences. This act had tax on one thing and that was tea and in response to this people stopped drinking tea. After a few months of this colonists were tired of it and on December 16, 1773 some colonists dressed up as Indians and dumped tea into the harbor. This is now called the Boston Tea Party. -
Intolerable Acts or Coercive Acts
These acts were in response to the Boston Tea Party. They considered what they did as disobedience and defiance so they signed five new acts.
Boston Port Act
Massachusetts Government Act
Administration of Justice Act
Quartering Act
Quebec Act -
Declaration?
At this point Americans are tired of all the taxes and are getting ready for a revolution. In July of 1775 congress signs Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms which was written by Thomas Jefferson and John Dickenson. -
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
One of if not Americas most important date. This was the date that the Declaration of Independence was finished and passed. Of course it was written by Thomas Jefferson. This piece of brilliant written work was final spark that started the fire that is the war for freedom. -
War and Freedom
The War had officially began and America was almost certainly going to lose but not without a fight. This war went on for a few years but after a tough war the underdog had won thanks to some allies. Towards the end of 1781 the war was all but over with an American win at Yorktown. America had won its freedom.
