american revolution

Name causes of American revolution

1. Navigation act

2. Seven Years War and British debt

3. More taxation

4. Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party

Navigation act

Law stating some American products ( sugar, cotton + tobacco ) only sold through England

Seven Years war + British Debt

1753-63

British + American colonies combine to defeat French colonies in Canada + America.

After war British raised tax in America to pay for British debt.

Quartering Act

Local town and villages had to provide housing for British soldiers based there.

Sugar Act

Imposed tax on sugar imports.

Stamp Act

Had to have legal documents and newspapers stamped by government officials who made them pay for this

Famous revolutionists

Sons of liberty

Famous slogan

“No taxation without representation”

What is the Boston Massacre

Patriots threw objects and shouted at British soldiers leading to them opening fire and killing five people.

Boston Tea Party

December 1773, Americans dressed as natives Americans dumping 342 crates of tea in Boston Harbour. Organised by Sons of Liberty.

Consequences of Boston Tea Party

Intolerable Act on Boston.

Closing Boston Harbour until East India Company had been repaid.

Loyalists

15-20% supported Britain. 50,000 fought on British Side. New York had a lot of loyalists

Patriots

Opposing Britain taxes to wanting full independence. Spread between 13 colonies

Where were first shots of revolution

Lexington and Concord

Lexington and Concord

General Gage (Brit commander) heard Americans were storing weapons and ammunition in Concord, Boston. 800 British troops sent to destroy army dump. Clashes between opposing sides in Lexington and concord.

How did Americans gain confident (what battle)

Bunker hill, they lost but fought very well

What did Tom Paine do?

Published ‘Common Sense’ in 1776 before Deceleration of Independence.

Continental congress

Two continental congresses in Philadelphia representatives of 13 colonies went. George Washington as chief commander.

Deceleration of independence

4 July 1776 final break with Britain. Saying “ all men are equal”

Britain army strengths

Strengths

Pop- 8 million

30,000 loyalists in America

Strong army of 50,000

Hired German mercenaries

Navy controlled sea

British weaknesses

4,800km from America (long time for supplies and soldiers )

Brit soldiers inexperienced

Mercenaries deserted

Bri soldiers didn’t know countryside

America strengths

Fighting for good cause

Used guerrilla tactics

George Washington determined to win

America weaknesses

Pop of 2.5 mill and we’re not all united

Had to build army

Largely made up of part-time militia

Didn’t have proper navy

War disrupted economy

Battle of Long Island

1776 Defeated in New York and failed to hold the city.

1776 Washington battles

Defeated British in Trenton and Princeton

When was turning point and why

1777. British army surrendered in Battle of Saratoga.

      Victory encouraged France, Spain and holland to join American side. Sent money, men and ships.

      Marquis de Lafayette.

Winter in Valley forge

British captured Philadelphia (capital ). Washington retreated to valley forge. Half army deserted the war and thousands died from disease. Army remained well trained by German officer Von Steuben. Washington stayed w army.

When did war end

1781

Where and why did it end

Cornwallis (Brit commander) camped in Yorktown Virginia. Was surrounded by Washington’s forces by land and by French fleet by sea. Cornwallis forced to surrender.

What and when was treaty signed

1783, Treaty of Paris

What did British government realise

Independence if United States of America. Treaty gave America land between Atlantic Ocean and Mississippi River

Why did Britain loose

• America supported by France, Spain and holland

• France helped at battle of Yorktown

• Used guerrilla tactics

• George Washington was a determined leader

• Americans propaganda convinced those in America

• Spanish French navies harassed British ships

Consequences

• foundation + expansion of America

• American Constitution- federal government

• Native Americans, spaces and women not equal

• New form of republican government

• Influence French Revolution

• Influence 1798 rebellion Ireland

Foundation and expansion of America

United States of America founded. Expanded to Mississippi River. People migrated westwards and clashed between native Americans.

American Constitution - federal government

Drawn up in 1787. Federal government structure w central government capital. Washington power in states.

Native Americans slaves and women not equal

D of I states ‘all men are created equal’ but slaves, native Americans and women were not. D of I inspired these groups to campaign to improve status in society.

New form of republican government

United States set example to other countries to have a revolution. Republican government was set up

Influence cause French Revolution

Inspired French people to challenge their king. Costing France a lot of money meaning more taxation

1798 rebellion in Ireland

Irish inspired, volunteer movement set up , won greater independence for Irish parliament from Brit government. Wolfe tone and united Irishmen took inspiration.