Causes of the Revolution

Mercanitlism

Economic theory that bases a nations wealth on the amount of gold and bullion in its treasury

Raw materials were exported from colonies in order for the mother country to make a profit

Each nation tried to have more goods coming in than going out. This was called a “favorable balance of trade.”

French and Indian War

A struggle between the British and the French. Colonists fought for the British, while the Native Americans fought for the French.

The British won, receiving all lands east of the Mississippi River, except new Orleans.

Colonists were not allowed to settle the land they helped win.

Colonists were taxed to pay the war cost.

Acts of Parliament

Currency Act: prohibited American colonist from issuing their own currency

Quartering Act: required the colonist to provide shelter and supplies to British troops

Stamp Act: required stamps to be purchased and placed on newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, legal documents, and playing cards

Townshend Act: taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea

Tea act: permitted the British East India Tea Comp. to sell tea at a lower price than colonial tea companies

Boston Tea Party

A protest against the Tea Act of 1773. The Tea Act let the British East India Tea Company bypass tea merchants and sell directly to colonist

Colonist dressed as Indians and dumped British tea into Boston harbor

Boston Massacre

March 5, 1770 Encounter between British troops and citizens

of Boston Patriots antagonized British troops, who were

quartered in Boston to discourage demonstrations against the Townshend Acts.

British troops fired on the Patriots,killing 5 people

Thomas PaineThomas Paine’’s Common Senses Common Sense

– Influenced by Enlightenment ideas about a limited, Influenced by Enlightenment ideas about a limited, representative government.representative government.

– He wrote in his pamphlet He wrote in his pamphlet ‘‘Common SenseCommon Sense’’ that the that the colonists should no longer be the subjects of a colonists should no longer be the subjects of a distant monarch.distant monarch.

Paine appealed to reason and natural laws.Paine appealed to reason and natural laws. *His ideas were widely read in the colonies in 1776.*His ideas were widely read in the colonies in 1776. The Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence Influenced by Locke and other Enlightenment Thinkers.Influenced by Locke and other Enlightenment Thinkers.

The ConstitutionThe Constitution

Also influenced by the Enlightenment thinkersAlso influenced by the Enlightenment thinkers– Rousseau (Social Contract with government)Rousseau (Social Contract with government)– Montesquieu (Separation of Powers)Montesquieu (Separation of Powers)– Locke (Protection of Rights)Locke (Protection of Rights)

Impact of the American RevolutionImpact of the American Revolution America stood as symbol of freedom to both Europe and Latin America stood as symbol of freedom to both Europe and Latin

America.America. U.S. created the most liberal government of its time. Other nations U.S. created the most liberal government of its time. Other nations

would copy the ideas in this government.would copy the ideas in this government. Success soon inspires global changes as other people challenge Success soon inspires global changes as other people challenge

the power of absolute monarchs.the power of absolute monarchs.