Causes of the American Revolution
French and Indian War, 1754-1763 The French were envious of the successful colonies established by Great Britain and wanted a piece of that success. Thus, with the assistance from some natives, they declared war on the colonies. The war was fought over the land of the Ohio Valley for nine years. During this time, the British assisted the American colonists with the war. Resulting in a national debt raising from 72 million pounds to 130 million Pounds, by the end of the war. This would lead to many other acts of legislation of which negatively impact the economy and lives of the Colonists.
Proclamation line of 1763 While the colonists won the war and the land of the Ohio valley, there were still many Indians of whom lived in the Ohio Valley. Thus, to avoid a series of Indian wars and an increase of national debt, the Proclamation line was set. This forbid any western expansion past the Appalachian Mountains, for the colonists. The colonists were enraged, believing the king of Britain to be taking the side of the Indians. Of course, they were able to retrieve some land, mostly of what is now known as West Virginia through peace treaties with the Natives.
The Sugar Act (Trading Law) 1764 The Sugar act was created to raise revenue from the colonies (through the idea of mercantilism), by placing taxes on Sugar and molasses that was imported into the colonies(these were popular products and sugar is used for tea). This affected the economy of the colonists negatively as well as the constitutional beliefs the colonists held. They said that this act was an issue of taxation without representation, and they smuggled the Sugar and boycotted it. This was backed by the Enlightenment idea that people have a say in government from Rousseau. This act essentially played a part in rooting the resentment that would later cause the American Revolution.
Currency Act 1764 The Currency Act is a series of acts in parliament used to regulated the currency in the colonies. The colony had to start using the British currency. This act prevented the of issue of any new Bills of Credit, and stabilized the British currency, because British Merchants found the American currency difficult to deal with as it s value was disputed often. This act threaten to destabilize the economy of the colonies, as it affected their ability to trade( they had no hard currency besides what they made through trade, hence the British were favored much more in trade) This was one of the series of acts that divided the Colonists and British. This violates the idea that the government makes reasonable laws with the people in mind from John Locke. This would also represent an idea of freedom of expression from Voltaire.
Quartering Act 1764 The Quartering Act was an act which forced colonial governments to house and feed British troops. This act was put into place for two reasons; to reduce national debt by keeping the British troops used for the (French and Indian war) in the colonies instead of spending money to get them back to the motherland. In addition, the troops were used to enforce the proclamation line by setting out posts. Also, this act was used to watch the Colonists and enforce the acts. The Colonists in response were confused as to why a British army was necessary in the colonies and resented their presence; they were in debt and couldn't afford to house and feed those troops. They feared that the troops may be used against them. They argued that this act violated the Colonists right to their property. This act later on played part In later events that led to the American Revolution. This act opposes the idea that people have the right of their property, from John Locke.
Stamp Act 1765 The Stamp Act was created to raise revenue from the Colonists by a tax of which was in the form of a stamp on all newspapers and official documents. This tax was meant to directly grab money from the Colonists pockets instead of import taxes through trade and commerce. The Colonists in response protested rigorously and some denied to pay the tax. People hung dummies of the Stamp agents and burned them. Verbal abuse eventually turned into physical assault. The Stamp Act was removed to avoid rebellion. The people expressed themselves through assembly, which is the idea from Voltaire.
Townshend Act 1767 The Townshend act was a set of laws which set taxes on imported goods, such as glass, tea, and paint. This act was created to build revenue for the British troops in the colonies, as well as to pay for the salaries of royal officials in America. The sons of liberty was formed lead by Samuel Adams, the goal of this group was to unite the Colonists in the belief of gaining representation in government. They started to circulate propaganda in favor of No taxation without representation They use this to convince the Colonists to boycott. In response, the Colonists made do with what they had and usually only accepted smuggled tea, which would usually be Dutch tea. The Colonists essentially boycott through civil disobedience(refusing to follow an unjust or unfair law in a peaceful manner). The Massachusetts House of Representatives as well as other colonial assemblies were dissolved as an effect of this act. In the New York retraining act, one of the laws In the townshend act, threaten to dissolve the New York Assembly if it didn't comply with the Quartering Act. This violates the belief of the Colonists that through assembly, royal powers can be checked by threatening to withhold payments. This idea of checking the government came from Montesquieu.Also, Voltaire said people should be able to voice their opinions, which is what the Colonists are doing.
The Boston Massacre 1770 When Customs officials were sent to collect taxes, the Boston populace treated them poorly and in response two British regiments were sent to protect the commissioners. The Colonists began to peacefully protest against the British troops presence. After so long with the British troops being there, violence sprung out and someone ordered to fire. Three bostonians died as a result. This event was seen as proof for a lot of Colonists that the British were heartless and ruled tyrannically. This event has the idea of freedom of assembly to actively disagree with the situation in society, by Voltaire Furthermore, this could represent locke s idea, because this event took away the Colonists right to life.
Tea Act 1773 After the townshend act was removed, all taxes on imported British goods were removed as well, except on tea. Thus, the tea act was created. This act only allowed the Colonists to buy tea from the East India Company. It was supposed to give the British East India company an expansion of their monopoly on British colonies, because they were able to sell their tea at a reduced price than their colonial competitors. This obviously would bring in more customers, and thus more money. They were able to ship cargo ships of tea right from china to America and by pass the tax on importing tea in Britain. American Colonists were not able to do this. The Colonists saw this act as unconstitutional, considering they still weren't represented In parliament. In response, the press got more involved in political discussions, Public meetings were held, influencing people to have a negative view on the British, and the Colonists completely denied having any East India Company ship to dock in the colonies; demanding they return to Britain. The Colonists protested against this act, seeing it as unfair and unconstitutional, which represented the idea that society has an unequal distribution of wealth and power, by Rousseau, and expressing their thoughts, by the ideas of Voltaire.
Boston Tea Party 1773 The British East India Company was having a financial crisis and received a monopoly via The Tea Act. However, this backfired as most ports in the colonies did not permit ships which held Tea from the British East India Company to dock. This in turn left tons of tea in the Company's warehouses. Nonetheless, despite the retaliation of the Colonists, the agents set to dock in Boston denied the Colonists demands and docked anyway. Hence, on December 16, 1773 a group of Colonists disguised as Indians led by Samuel Adams, leader of Sons of Liberty, trespassed on the British Tea filled ships and dumped hundreds of barrels into the ocean(342). The British, furious of this event, began to finalize the Coercive Acts. The defiance of the Cargo Ships from the East India Company, by docking their ships regardless of the majority protesting that they can't opposes the idea that the majority makes the decisions, by Rousseau. The sons of liberty then protested through the freedom of assembly from Voltaire.
Intolerable Acts 1774 The Intolerable Acts were a series of Acts largely created as punishment for the Boston Tea Party. First, the entire Boston port was shut down and would not be opened again until the Tea of which was lost was repaid in full. In Addition, the government in Massachusetts was dissolved and removed the Colonists right to self- Government. However, this made other colonies come to assist Massachusetts since their docks were closed. In addition, all criminals would be put in trial only by a British Judge. Also, this act past reforms of which favored religious groups, specifically Catholics in the Quebec area. This allowed Catholics to hold public Offices, meaning that religious freedom was being discouraged, as people who identified themselves as Catholics held an unfair advantage in government. This affected all the colonies, not just Massachusetts. The Colonists argued that this violated their unalienable rights. It allowed the Colonies to unite together and form a common enemy, Britain. This represents the idea that people should revolt, if the government has failed its job, by John Locke