Causes of American Revolution

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson

• Thomas Jefferson: Third President of the United States

• Declaration of Independence: Authored the document

grievance

• Definition: A grievance is a formal complaint or concern raised by an individual or group regarding a perceived injustice or violation of rights in a workplace or organization.

• The Declaration of Independence does not specifically mention the term "grievance." However, it does list a series of grievances against King George III and the British government. These grievances include violations of colonial rights, unfair taxation, and the denial of a fair judicial system.

stamp act

• Date: 1765

• Purpose: Imposed taxes on all printed materials in the American colonies

• Targeted items: Newspapers, legal documents, playing cards, etc.

• Opposition: Sparked widespread protests and boycotts in the colonies

• "No taxation without representation": Colonists argued they had no voice in British Parliament

• Stamp Act Congress: Held in 1765, issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances

• Repeal: Stamp Act was repealed in 1766 due to colonial resistance

• Significance: Contributed to growing tensions between the colonies and Britain, leading to the American Revolution.

tea act

• Passed by the British Parliament in 1773

• Imposed a tax on tea imported to the American colonies

• Designed to help the struggling British East India Company

• Sparked the Boston Tea Party in December 1773

impose

To establish or enforce something, often by authority or power, on someone or something.

coercive act

A series of laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 to punish the American colonists for the Boston Tea Party. These acts closed the port of Boston, restricted colonial self-government, allowed British soldiers to be quartered in private homes, and strengthened British control over the colonies.

coerce

To force someone to do something against their will, often through threats or manipulation.

Quartering Act

• Purpose: Enforced by British Parliament in 1765

• Required colonists to provide housing and supplies to British soldiers

• Aimed to reduce the cost of maintaining British troops in the American colonies

• Sparked outrage among colonists, seen as violation of their rights

town meetings

were banned in Boston in order to prevent further protests

Townshend Acts

• Date: 1767

• Purpose: To raise revenue from the American colonies

• Imposed taxes on: Glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea

  Repealed: Except for the tax on tea, in 1770

repeal

Definition: The act of cancelling, revoking or abolishing a law, regulation, or policy.

Proclamation of 1763

Issued by: King George III of Great Britain

• Purpose: To regulate settlement in the newly acquired territories after the French and Indian War

• Provisions:

  • Prohibited British colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains

  • Reserved the land for Native American tribes

• Reaction: Many colonists were angered and defied the proclamation

• Long-term impact: Contributed to growing tensions between the colonists and the British government

boycott

refuse to buy; a way to protest

Boston Massacre

Conflict between British soldiers and colonists

• Five colonists killed, including Crispus Attucks

• Sparked anti-British sentiment and fueled American Revolution

• Led to the trial of British soldiers, defended by John Adams

Crispus Attucks

African-American sailor killed during the Boston Massacre in 1770, considered the first casualty of the American Revolution.

propaganda

A persuasive communication technique used to manipulate public opinion and promote a particular agenda or idea. Often employs biased or misleading information to influence people's beliefs or actions.

Boston Tea Party

Date: December 16, 1773

• Cause: British taxation policies on tea

• Participants: Sons of Liberty, British East India Company

• Action: Sons of Liberty boarded ships and dumped tea into the harbor

• Consequences: Intensified tensions between colonists and British, led to Intolerable/coercive Acts

Samuel Adams

• Founder of the Sons of Liberty: played a crucial role in organizing the Sons of Liberty, a secret society that protested against British taxation.

Sons of Liberty

Secret society formed in the American colonies to protest British taxation and policies. They organized protests, boycotts, and acts of civil disobedience, such as the Boston Tea Party. Played a significant role in the lead up to the American Revolution.