War of Independence

Causes

• GB impose high tax on NA post 7 years war(debt of £140m)

• GB blamed for Boston massacre

• Sons of Liberty preach for independence

• Coercive acts; General Gage taking over Boston

• NA not represented in GB parliament; ‘no taxation without representation’

Townshend Act

1767

tax on imports

Stamp Act

1765

tax on printed goods

Boston Massacre

1770

protest led to 5 dead and 11 injured when GB soldiers shot

GB blamed

Tea Act

1773

tax on tea

led to the Boston Tea Party

Boston Tea Party

1774

patriots dump EIC tea into harbour

starts revolution

Patriots

Samuel Adams

leader of the Sons of Liberty

encouraged tax opposition

Thomas Paine

author of ‘Common Sense’

encouraged patriots

sold 500K copies

American Revolution

1775-1783

Declaration of Independence

1776

George Washington

leader of patriots

George III

refused to negotiate with founding fathers or reduce taxes

Battle of Yorktown

1781

war ended

colonists use GUERILLA WARFARE

Consequences upon Britain

• lost colony and taxes

• increased trade with Canada and Australia

• began to look for land elsewhere; e.g. India

• cost £80m

• 10K soldiers lost

• maintained good relationships with USA

• Radicals inspired in Britain and Europe

• Britain expanded voting rights to avoid rev spreading