American Revolution: Causes and Effects

The American Revolution

• The American Revolution was fought between the American colonies and Great Britain
• The colonies wanted to break free from Great Britain due to the tyranny of King George III

The Enlightenment and John Locke

• John Locke promoted the idea of self-government and self-determination
• He believed that all people are born free and equal in rights, with life, liberty, and property
• A government's power comes from the consent of the people, and the people have the right to rebel against unjust rulers

The Declaration of Independence

• The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776
• It states that all men are created equal, with certain unalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
• The document declares that the power of government comes from the consent of the people, and that the people have the right to alter or abolish the government if it becomes destructive

Colonization and Growth

• In 1700, the population of the colonies was 250,000, which grew to 2.5 million by 1770
• The colonialists identified by their state or region, but were British subjects

The Navigation Act and Trade

• The Navigation Act of 1651 allowed colonists to only sell goods to British, with high taxes on Dutch or French goods
• Both Great Britain and the colonies thrived in trade, with the British gaining significant revenue

The French and Indian War

• The French and Indian War (1754-1763) was fought between the British and the French, with the British winning most of the French colonies in North America
• The war was costly, with a debt of $110 million, which Great Britain wanted to pay off with revenue from the American colonies

The Stamp Act and Protests

• The Stamp Act of 1765 was passed to help pay for the war, taxing all paper goods, including documents, deeds, and newspapers
• The colonists protested the act, citing "no taxation without representation" since they had no representatives in parliament

The Boston Tea Party and the Continental Congress

• The Boston Tea Party in 1773 was a protest against the British, with the Sons of Liberty, led by Samuel Adams, playing a key role
• The 1st Continental Congress was held in 1774, with the colonies sending grievances to King George III, who ignored their complaints

The Battle of Lexington and Concord

• The Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, marked the start of the American Revolution
• The revolution was a turning point, with some colonists wanting to break free from Great Britain and others seeking reconciliation

George Washington and the Continental Army

• George Washington led a poorly supplied, poorly paid, and poorly disciplined army of ragtag soldiers against the British
• The Continental Army was fighting against the greatest military power in the world at the time