Causes of the American Revolution OR How not to Tax People.

Causes of the American Revolution

ORHow not to Tax

People

English Colonists in the 1700’s had...

•Lowest taxes in the English speaking world.

•Little English interference in

governing themselves.•The highest standard of

living in the world!

ALSO•Pride in being British.

•Strong desire to be accepted as equals by

British.

Why would England start taxing the colonies more?

•The French and Indian War and Pontiac’s Rebellion was very expensive. England

thought that the colonies should help pay

part of the expense.

The Sugar Act (1763)

•taxes or “duties” put on sugar, foreign molasses, coffee, and other goods

imported into the colonies.

Included in the Sugar Act was a NEW strict

enforcement of the Navigation Acts that said all goods used in America must

come through England. Customs officials previously

ignored these.

The Result:

•The colonists were used to getting around paying their duties (taxes) on imported

items and resented the more strict enforcement of the

laws, especially on molasses (used to make RUM.

It is the PRINCIPILE of it:

•The colonists were not consulted or given a chance to

vote on these TAXES. This is called-

TAXATION

WITHOUT

REPRESENTATION

The Stamp Act (1765)

•An official seal or “stamp” must be put on all

printed matter sold in the colonies.

Examples of Stamps

These needed to be on bills, newspapers, and even playing cards.

The Results:

•Colonists became upset - riots, assaults on British

officials.•Tar and Feathering - dipped

in boiling hot tar and rolled in feathers: often fatal.

Also, Resulting in Boycotts:

•refusal to buy English goods.

•Radical Rebel groups like the Sons of Liberty were formed to Resist

what they called - British Tyranny (the unfair use and abuse of power).

The British repealed it in March 1766.

Declaratory Act (1766)

•It states that England has full authority over

the colonies and can do to them whatever it

pleases.

The Result:

•Colonists “Okay” about Stamp Act, but resentful

over the tone of the Declaratory Act.