Causes of the American Revolution

Causes of the American Revolution Objective 1.03 Examine the causes of the American Revolution Key Points  Discontent with foreign rule  Mercantilism  Tradition of self-government  Preservation of civil liberties  No Taxation without representation Fundamental Orders of Connecticut January, 1638  Described the structure and powers of the government set up by the Connecticut River Towns  Considered the first written Constitution in the Americas  Included the idea of the “Separation of Church and State”  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_orders_of_connecticut Salutary Neglect  No strict enforcement of trade regulations and Parliamentary Laws.  There were many acts or regulations put in place but none of these were enforced.  The cost of the “Seven Years War” and King George III pushed England towards a stricter enforcement of trade laws. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salutary_neglect Navigation Acts 1660 The Navigation Acts required all European goods bound for America (or other colonies) to be shipped through England, and had to be carried in English vessels (ships).  Some goods had to be unloaded inspected and a tax paid on them before going on to another country.  This increased the cost and the shipping time.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navigation_Acts The French and Indian War  Called the “Seven Years War” in the rest of the world. 1754 – 1763  Fought between France and England  England won, making it the most powerful nation on earth.  England got Canada out of the treaty.  The war was very costly because it was fought all over the planet. Proclamation of 1763  Forbade colonists from acquiring land (settling or buying) West of the Appalachian Mountains.  Gave the British Crown a monopoly on all land purchases from the American Indians. The Stamp Act of 1765 March 22, 1765: Required all legal documents, permits, commercial contracts, newspapers, wills, pamphlets, and playing cards to have a stamp placed on them to show that a tax had been paid.  The Act was repealed on March 18, 1766 due to the resistance met in the colonies and the difficulty in enforcing it.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamp_Act_1765 Stamp Act Congress  Held in New York in October 1765.  Delegates adopted a Declaration of Rights and Grievances and sent letters (petitions) to the King.  First “American” action seen as a precursor of the revolution. Declaratory Act 1766: it was part of a series of resolutions that attempted to regulate the “behavior of the colonies.”  Stated that Parliament had “full power and authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of America.” (Taxes?)  Response to “No Taxation without Representation”  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaratory_Act “Sons of Liberty”  Secret organization of American patriots.  Referred to as the "Sons of Violence" and "Sons of Iniquity." by British Loyalists.  Resists the unfair practices of the British Crown with acts of protest and mob violence. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sons_of_Liberty The Tea Act  Allowed the East India Company to sell tea to the colonies directly and without paying certain taxes.  This “tax break” allowed them to sell their tea for much lower prices.  This hurt colonial merchants and smugglers financially. Writs of Assistance  General “Search Warrant”  Normally used in customs and excise (tax) inspections.  Authorized an officer to search any person or place and did not expire. Boston Tea Party      December 16, 1773 The night before the tea was to be unloaded, the “Sons of Liberty” dressed up as Indians, and went to Griffin's Wharf. Casks of tea were brought up on deck opened and dumped overboard. 90,000 lbs (45 tons) of tea estimated @ £10,000 “Tea washed up on the shores around Boston for weeks.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_tea_party Boston Massacre 5 people killed when an angry mob cornered British troops.  Subsequent trial found two soldiers guilty of manslaughter.  Captain Thomas Preston was acquitted  Used by patriots as propaganda against Britain and it’s polices. The Coercive Acts  Referred to as the “Intolerable Acts” by many colonists.  A group of five acts passed by Parliament in 1774.  In direct response to the “Boston Tea Party” (Except for the Quebec Act) The Coercive Acts  Boston Port Act: Closed the port of Boston  Massachusetts Government Act: limited town meetings.  Administration of Justice Act: Movement of the trials of British officials to England.  Quartering Act: house soldiers in any uninhabited building.  Quebec Act: Enlarged the boundaries of the Province of Quebec Committees of Correspondence  “Rallied opposition on common causes and established plans for collective action”  formed the first major political union between the colonies.  They performed the planning that was necessary for the 1st Continental Congress to take place. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committees_of_Correspondence 1st Continental Congress       Met in Philadelphia in 1774 Formed in response to the “Intolerable Acts” The Articles of Association: organized an agreement to boycott certain goods throughout the colonies. Boycott: to protest by an organized effort to NOT purchase certain goods/services Sent letters of petition to George III Planned a second meeting in May of 1775 Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”  January 1776  Denounced British rule  VERY popular  Contributed to the idea of Independence  Independence: The idea that America should govern itself without interference from Great Britain Lexington and Concord April 19, 1776, “Midnight Ride of Paul Revere”  The “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” was fired at Lexington.  The local militia was outnumbered and retreated.  Later in Concord at the “Old North Bridge” the local militia had enough soldiers to outnumber the British, and the British were forced to retreat back to Boston.  2nd Continental Congress  Met in May of 1775 - March 1781  Declared our Independence from Britain on July 2, 1776  Drafted the Declaration of Independence which was approved on July 4, 1776  Wrote the Articles of Confederation The first constitution of the United States in 1781.