Causes of the American Revolution

The French & Indian War

The expensive conflict between England and France that left King George III broke and the colonists angry.

The Proclamation of 1763

The law proclaimed by KGIII that prevented the colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains.

The Stamp Act

The first tax placed upon the colonies which involved a tax on all paper products---newspapers, legal documents and playing cards. This tax was eventually repealed.

The Townshend Acts

Taxes placed on glass, paint, led, and tea. "No taxation without representation" became the protest motto of the colonists.

The Boston Massacre

During an organized protest, British soldiers were attacked by colonists with snowballs and rocks. At the conclusion of the protest, five colonists died.

The Tea Act

To calm the colonists, Parliament eliminated taxes on all products, except the tax on the colonists' favorite beverage.

The Boston Tea Party

In protest of the Tea Act, colonists in Boston disguised themselves, broke onto a British ship, and dumped millions of dollars of tea into Boston Harbor.

The Intolerable Acts

These acts were punishments for the Boston Tea Party. Boston Harbor was closed and all local government was banned.

Appalachian Mountains

This natural geographic feature became the border that was used in the Proclamation of 1763 to prevent colonists from moving west.

John Adams

He defended the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre, saying "facts are stubborn things."

Paul Revere

This man coined the term "Bloody Massacre" in his artistic interpretation of the Boston Massacre.

Quartering Act

1765 - Required the colonials to provide food, lodging, and supplies for the British troops in the colonies.

First Continental Congress (1774)

Met to discuss a response to the Intolerable Acts; adopted the Declaration and Resolves in which they:

Declared the Intolerable Acts null and void.

Recommended that colonists arm themselves and that militias be formed.

Recommended a boycott of British imports.

Declaratory Acts

1766. Acts stating parliment still had supreme control over colonies, and could still make laws