The American Revolution

What is a revolution?Road to the DeclarationWhy were the founders so irritated that they started a revolution? The American Revolution did not begin as a revolutionBegan as an irritation with British policies

1754-1763 French and Indian War/Seven Years WarHey 13 colonies, youve been running amuck and now its time to pay!

The colonies get fired upPlayed by their own rules while Britain was fighting wars in Europe

The Mother Country cracks down Proclamation of 1763: limits the growth of the colonies at the Appalachian MountainsWe go where we want to!

Series of acts taxing colonial goods Sugar, wine, coffeeSUGAR RAGE!!!Writs of AssistanceYoure violating our RIGHTS! (search & seizure)

1765: Stamp Act requires tax on all official documentsNo taxation without representation! James OtisYou cant tax us if we arent represented in Parliament!

1765: Quartering ActColonists must let soldiers live in their homes. British are protecting them

Boston becomes the center of tension1770: The Boston Massacre Angry mob gathers to protest various acts (taxes)British soldiers fire into crowd5 dead, 6 woundedSo now youll just kill us! OUTRAGEOUS!

Lets Party (with tea and costumes)1773: Boston Tea Party Merchants dump British tea overboard

They were protesting a tax on tea (known as the Tea Act)

Intolerable Acts (1774)Closed Boston Harbor to all tradereally, REALLY?More power to royal governor, limited town meetings, weakened court system (justice for colonists), authorized British troops to occupy colony

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