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The Causes of the Revolution
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End of the French and Indian War
The British taxed the colonies to pay thier war dept from the French and Indain War. In reaction to this, Ben Franklin created the Albany Plan of Union to show the colonies if they worked together, they could do anything. This is where Ben Franklin represents his famous saying, "Join or Die." -
The Proclamation of 1763
KIng George banned all colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. The colonists widely ignored this law because it was impossible for the British to enforce. -
The Sugar Act
The British officials put a tax on sugar and molasses plus other things and there was a harsh punishment in store for smugglers. This lead James Otis to write the phrase "Taxation without Representation is TYRANNY! The colonists boycotted British goods in hope for the British to repeal the tax. -
The Stamp Act
King George enforced the colonists to buy an additional stamp for documents such as wills, contracts, newspapers, and even playing cards. The colonists reaction was to burn the paper and to hold the Stamp Act Congress in New York City. This act was later repealed. -
The Quartering Act
King George forced the colonists to house and feed the enemy. (aka British Soldiers). Some colonists did not let the British in their homes and felt like their rights as English citizens had been violated. -
The Townshed Acts
The British taxed imports (from England) (glass, lead, tea, etc.) They also searched ships for smuggled goods because they had a document known as the Writs of Assistance from King George. The reaction of the colonists was to smuggle the goods into the country known as the Non-Importation Agreement. -
The Boston Massacre
When the colonists were protesting of all the taxes, the British opened fire on the colonists and killed five people. Six people were wounded. Captain Thomas Preston (the British general on scene) supposedly did not tell the British to fire. -
The Tea Act
The Tea Act enabled the British to have a monopoly (to control or take over) tea sales. If you wanted tea, you have to buy it from the British East India Company at three pence a pound. Which is basically three cents in U.S dollars which was pretty expensive in the 1700's. In reaction the Sons of Liberty organized the Boston Tea Party. -
The Boston Tea Party
On December 16, 1773, 342 crates of tea were thrown into the Boston Harbor. 116 people particapated dressed as Native Americans. The destroyed tea cost about and estamated 10,000euros today. Costing aproximately 1,000,000$ in U.S. currency. The Boston Tea Party also strengthened the Quartering Act. -
The Coercive/ Intolerable Acts
Due to the Boston Tea Party, the British closed the Boston port until the tea that was destroyed was paid for. They also banned town meetings, so the colonists couldn't plan anymore rebels. -
Paul Revere's Ride
When the Sons of Liberty learn the British plan to march to Concord, and sieze the colonists weapons, Billy Dawes rides from Boston to Lexington that the British were coming. Paul Revere then saw the two lanterns lit in the Old North Church which ment that the British came by sea. Paul Revere than began his famous ride warning that "The British were coming." Dawes and Revere were then captured near Lexington.Sam Prescott rode from Lexington to Concord warning the minute men to prepare for war. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
In hopes of retrieving the colonists smuggled weapons, the British troops head to Concord. But instead, they meet up with the Minutemen of Massachusetts in Lexington. Even though the minutemen knew the British troops were better than them, they stood their ground. Although only eight farmers died, the Revolution had begun. These battles were known as the "Shot heard around the world."
