Causes of the American Revolution
The Ohio River Valley Around 1750, the British and the French were competing for land beyond the Ohio River Valley. British colonists were going beyond Britain's territory and it was making the French angry. This fight over territory began the French and Indian War. Why? The Ohio River Valley was an area rich with valuable fur to sell. France and Britain were fighting over fur, Fur was a huge trade commodity and cost a lot of $$$
French and Indian War This war was officially declared in 1756 and War ended 1763. Who was involved in the war: Native Americans fought on both sides. French Spanish (fought for France) British Colonist (fought for Britain) French vs British Fighting style-indians fought guerrilla style warfare while the British fought in marching formation. Who Won? Britain won! Even though the colonists were on the winning side, Colonists were upset about that Britain banned them from moving west and made them pay expensive taxes.
Important Figures in the French and Indian War George Washington was a General that fought on the side of the British. He became a war hero from the French and Indian War. Benjamin Franklin was a famous politician who organized a plan to have the colonies leave the Union. This plan was called the Albany Congress and failed due to lack of support.
After Math of the French and Indian War Britain wins and gets all of the land, except the Louisiana Territory (own by Spain) Britain passes Proclamation of 1763 which bans colonist settlement into the Ohio River Valley. (Colonist already purchased land here). Britain is now poor from paying for the war and puts expensive taxes on the Colonists.
Join or Die! Ben Franklin made this flag. This flag means the colonist must join together to fight the British. What is the symbolism? If the snake is joined together it is more dangerous, but broken apart, it is harmless. What do the letters represent? the colonies names.
No Taxation Without Representation! What did this mean? Colonists did not have anyone in England that was representing their interests.
Loyalist vs. Patriots Loyalist-Colonists who felt deep loyalty towards Great Britain. Patriots-colonists who believed that the colonies had the right to govern themselves. Neutrals-Didn t take sides by not participating in battles or boycotts.
The Stamp Act A law that required colonists to buy a stamp for every piece of paper they used. Newspapers were taxed. Wills Licenses playing cards
The Sugar Act Tax on sugar products such as sugar cane, wine, rum, coffee and molasses.
The Townshend Acts Named after Charles Townshend, British leader who enforce these taxes. Townshend acts was a law that let Britain tax the colonists for things imported from Britain.
The Intolerable Acts The King was getting impatient with the boycotts going on in the colonies. Britain passed a series of acts that put even more restrictions on the colonists. Quartering Act made the colonist house and supply british troops for a night. They were expected to give them a bed, food, cider, and candles.
Image should tell who side your on. Slogan-short and memorable saying. Propaganda Poster
Boston Massacre
Whose side is the artist on? Loyalists or Patriots?
The Boston Massacre The same day the Townshend Acts were announced, a fight breaks out in Boston The Boston Massacre was on March 5, 1770, a fight broke out between colonists and British soldiers. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-massacre The result: 5 colonist died and the Sons of Liberty were organized to form a militia to fight the British. A trial between the British soldiers concluded it was the fault of the British soldiers for the massacre because they were armed. John Adams was the lawyer for the British Captain Thomas Preston.
The Boston Tea Party On December 6, 1773, a tax on British tea was put on the colonists. Colonists boycotted British tea, even though it was cheaper than other options. Colonists got angry when they saw British tea ships in the Boston Harbor. The Sons of Liberty decided to disguise themselves as Native Americans and dump the tea into the water. British soldiers stood and watched these men dump 90,000 pounds of tea. The Result: The Intolerable Acts were to punish the Bostonians and close the harbor. More troops were sent to the colonies, if a colonist harmed a British soldier, they would be tried in Britain. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/ boston-tea-party