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History Topic

Causes of the American Revolution

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  2. Flashcards
  3. Quiz
  4. Confident

Study focus - 3 things

  1. The American Revolution grew from conflict between Britain and the Thirteen Colonies
  2. British taxes and laws after the French and Indian War angered many colonists
  3. Colonists resisted because they believed taxation without representation was unfair

Section 1The big issue

The American Revolution was caused by growing conflict between Britain and its colonies. Britain wanted to control the colonies and raise money from them. Many colonists wanted more rights and more control over their own affairs.

Section 2Taxes and laws

After costly wars, Britain placed new taxes on the colonies. These included laws linked to sugar, stamps, tea, and other goods. Colonists argued that Parliament should not tax them because they had no representatives there.

Section 3Colonial resistance

Colonists protested, boycotted British goods, formed groups, and wrote pamphlets. Some protests were peaceful, while others became violent. The Boston Tea Party was one famous act of resistance against the tea tax.

Section 4From protest to war

Britain responded to resistance with stricter laws and troops. This made many colonists even angrier. Fighting began in 1775, and in 1776 the colonies declared independence.

Examples

Colonists refuse to buy British tea because they are angry about a tax. What form of resistance is this?

This is a boycott. A boycott uses economic pressure by refusing to buy goods.

A colonist says, 'Parliament taxes us, but we cannot vote for anyone in Parliament.' Which complaint is this?

This is the complaint of no taxation without representation. Colonists objected to taxes passed by a Parliament where they had no elected representatives.

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