The American Revolution - Causes

Navigation Acts

American products could only be sold through England - made England rich. the Americans began to smuggle goods to avoid these restrictions and increase their profits.

Seven Years War & British Debt

1756 - 63: forced the British and American to join and fight against France who had American and Canadian colonies.

• the war increased British debt so they taxed Americans to cover the cost

More Taxation: Quatering Act

Required colonists to provide housing and supplies to British soldiers.

More Taxation: Sugar Act

tax on sugar imports. American’s said no taxation without consent.

More Taxation: Stamp Act

newspapers and legal docments were stamped by the government for a fee.

• Britain passed this to cover war cost

• Sons of Liberty organised a protest against the stamp act

• ‘‘No Taxation Without Representation’’ Britain can’t tax the US with no American Reps in British Parliament

Boston Massacre & Tea Party

• Britain Imposed tax on tea

• Boston was the centre of protests, protesters called Patriots

• Patriots threw stones at British soldiers. 5 shot dead by soldiers (Boston Massacre)

Boston Tea Party

• Britain allowed East India Company to sell tea without tax, American importers still had to pay tax

• December 1773: Americans Disguised as Natives and dumped 342 crates of tea from British Ships in Boston Harbour.

• Boston Tea Party organised by Son’s of Liberty.

• Intollerable Acts: imposed by Britain on Boston - closing Boston Port until India Company repaid.