Causes of the American Revolution 1) Imperialism: Great Britain and the colonists have different goals. Method of rule in the colonies begins to change.

Causes of the American Revolution

1) Imperialism: Great Britain and the colonists have different goals. Method of rule in the colonies begins to change as a result.

Causes of the American Revolution

2) Enlightenment: a) Social Contract Theory of John Lockeb) Natural rightsc) Duty of government:d) Challenge authority

Causes of the American Revolution

3) Great Awakening:a) Widespreadb) passionate beliefc) Sense of equalityd) willingness to challenge authority

Causes of the American Revolution3) French-Indian War:a) GB is broke.b) Increased taxes and controlc) Colonist resist taxes and control.d) Tension exists and increased over time

Causes of the American Revolution

4) Virtual Representation:The House of Commons represented all British subjects wherever they were.

George Grenville

Causes of the American Revolution

5) Right to Self-Tax:According to British Law taxation could not exist without consent.

Self imposed taxes were customary in the colonies.

Taxes

External Taxes: imposed to regulate trade. Parliament

Internal Taxes: imposed to raise revenue. Colonial legislatures

Consent of the Governed

A condition urged by many as a requirement for legitimate government: that the authority of a government should depend on the consent of the people, as expressed by votes in elections. See

Declaration of Independence, democracy, and  John Locke.)

Rights

Where do natural or inalienable rights come from?

How do we know?What are they?How can they be known?How can they be protected?

Acts and Laws that cause tensionDeclaratory Act:

Parliament has the right to legislate for the colonies in all cases whatsoever.◦(mercantilism, imperialism)

What is good for England is policy!

Acts and Laws that cause tensionTownsend Duties

Taxes paid by importer and pass on to the consumer.◦Glass, tea, lead, paper, paint

Acts and Laws that cause tensionQuartering Act:

◦Required colonies to furnish shelter and provisions for British troops.

◦Later expanded to putting soldiers into private homes.

Acts and Laws that cause tensionProclamation of 1763:No settlers West of Appalachian Mts.

GB is trying to avoid Indian Wars.

Increased unrest in the colonies

Boycotts, Activism, Tension

Nonconsumption: Boycott of British goods.

Treatment of tax collectors:

Mob rule:Tar and feathering:

Boston Massacre: March 5, 17705 dead 11 wounded9 soldiers tried for murder in Boston

7 acquitted2 convicted of manslaughterJohn Adams, Josiah Quincey

Boston Tea Party Dec. 16, 1773

100-150 men Dump Tea into Boston Harbor

Leads to the Coercive Acts

Committees of Correspondence

System of communication put in place to link the colonies, cities and towns to news and events.

Acts and Laws that cause tensionCoercive Acts

◦Port of Boston closed◦Parliaments supremacy enhanced◦Power of Royal Gov. expanded◦Councils are now appointed◦Representation is gone◦Trials of capital crimes in England or Canada.

◦Military Rule

First Continental Congress

Organized through committees of correspondence to respond to British actions.

Not elected positionsNot recognized by GB

First Continental Congress

Declaration of Rights:◦Peace◦Liberty◦Security◦Representation◦Acknowledge GB regulation of trade

◦Self-taxation

First Continental Congress

Committees of Public Safety:

Created by Continental Congress to enforce the boycott of British goods that they organized.

Legitimacy???

Committees of Correspondence

Committees of Public Safety

Continental Congress◦British view:◦Patriot view:

Battle of Lexington and ConcordApril 19, 1775“Shot Heard Around the World”

First Fighting of the WarAmerican Victory

Terms:LibertyTyrannyMilitiaVirtual

RepresentationConsent of the

governedExternal TaxesInternal TaxesConvictedAcquittal

ManslaughterCitizenSubjectInalienable rightsCommon LawConstitutionParliamentEnlightenmentDespotismAbsolutism