American Revolution

🫖American Revolution Unit 1 – Roots of the American Revolution

The American Revolution's roots lie in the complex relationship between Britain and its North American colonies. Growing tensions over taxation, representation, and colonial autonomy set the stage for conflict in the mid-18th century. Key events like the French and Indian War, Stamp Act, and Boston Tea Party fueled colonial resistance. Enlightenment ideas and a distinct American identity emerged, leading to organized opposition and eventually armed conflict with Britain.

Colonial Context

  • By the mid-18th century, the British colonies in North America had grown significantly in population and economic importance
  • Colonies developed distinct regional identities and economies (New England, Middle Colonies, Southern Colonies)
    • New England focused on shipbuilding, fishing, and trade
    • Middle Colonies known for diverse agriculture and commerce
    • Southern Colonies relied heavily on plantation agriculture (tobacco, rice, indigo)
  • Colonies enjoyed a degree of self-governance through elected assemblies while still under British rule
  • Colonists' sense of identity began to diverge from that of British subjects due to distance and differing experiences
  • The French and Indian War (1754-1763) altered the balance of power in North America, with Britain gaining significant territory from France
  • However, the war also led to increased tensions between the colonies and Britain over issues of taxation and governance

British Policies and Taxation

  • In the aftermath of the French and Indian War, Britain sought to tighten control over the colonies and generate revenue to pay off war debts
  • The Sugar Act (1764) aimed to reduce smuggling and enforce duties on imported sugar and molasses
  • The Currency Act (1764) restricted colonies from issuing their own paper money, causing economic hardship
  • The Stamp Act (1765) required colonists to pay a tax on various paper goods (newspapers, legal documents, playing cards)
    • This direct tax on colonists was met with widespread opposition and protests
  • The Quartering Act (1765) required colonies to provide housing and supplies for British soldiers, further straining colonial resources
  • The Townshend Acts (1767) placed duties on imported goods such as glass, lead, paper, and tea
  • These policies and taxes were seen by colonists as infringements upon their rights as British subjects and led to growing resentment

Colonial Resistance and Protests

  • Colonists responded to British policies and taxes with various forms of resistance and protest
  • The Stamp Act Congress (1765) brought together representatives from nine colonies to coordinate opposition to the Stamp Act
    • Issued the "Declaration of Rights and Grievances" asserting colonists' rights as British subjects
  • Non-importation agreements encouraged colonists to boycott British goods in protest of the Townshend Acts
  • The Boston Massacre (1770) escalated tensions when British soldiers fired upon a crowd of colonists, killing five
  • The Boston Tea Party (1773) saw colonists dumping British tea into Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act
  • Committees of Correspondence formed to share information and coordinate resistance efforts among the colonies
  • The First Continental Congress (1774) convened to address grievances and plan a united response to the Intolerable Acts

Key Figures and Groups

  • Samuel Adams, a prominent Boston political activist, played a key role in organizing resistance to British policies
    • Helped establish the Sons of Liberty and the Committees of Correspondence
  • Benjamin Franklin, a renowned inventor and diplomat, served as a colonial agent in London and advocated for colonial rights
  • Patrick Henry, an influential orator, delivered famous speeches in support of colonial liberties (e.g., "Give me liberty, or give me death!")
  • Thomas Paine, a political activist and writer, published "Common Sense" (1776), which argued for American independence
  • The Sons of Liberty, a secret society formed to oppose British policies, engaged in protests and acts of resistance
  • The Daughters of Liberty supported the non-importation movement by producing homespun cloth and boycotting British goods

Ideological Foundations

  • The Enlightenment ideas of natural rights, social contract theory, and limited government influenced colonial thinking
    • John Locke's concept of natural rights (life, liberty, and property) resonated with colonists
    • The idea that government derives its power from the consent of the governed challenged the notion of absolute monarchy
  • The English Bill of Rights (1689) and the Glorious Revolution established principles of parliamentary supremacy and individual rights
  • Colonists viewed themselves as entitled to the same rights and liberties as Englishmen under British law
  • The concept of "no taxation without representation" became a rallying cry for colonists who lacked direct representation in the British Parliament
  • Republican ideals emphasizing civic virtue, self-governance, and resistance to corruption gained traction among colonists
  • The Great Awakening, a religious revival movement, emphasized individual conscience and challenged traditional authority

Significant Events

  • The French and Indian War (1754-1763) resulted in British victory but also increased tensions between Britain and the colonies
  • The Proclamation of 1763 prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, angering colonists seeking new lands
  • The Stamp Act Crisis (1765) sparked widespread protests and the formation of the Stamp Act Congress
  • The Boston Massacre (1770) heightened animosity between colonists and British soldiers stationed in the colonies
  • The Boston Tea Party (1773) was a direct action protest against the Tea Act and British taxation policies
  • The Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) (1774) punished Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, closing the port of Boston and restricting colonial self-governance
  • The Battles of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775) marked the outbreak of armed conflict between British troops and colonial militiamen

Escalation to War

  • The Intolerable Acts (1774) further alienated colonists and led to the convening of the First Continental Congress
    • Delegates issued the Suffolk Resolves, declaring the Intolerable Acts unconstitutional and calling for resistance
  • The Second Continental Congress (1775) met in the aftermath of Lexington and Concord, serving as a de facto government for the colonies
    • Established the Continental Army with George Washington as commander-in-chief
    • Issued the Olive Branch Petition as a final attempt at reconciliation with Britain
  • King George III rejected the Olive Branch Petition and declared the colonies in a state of rebellion
  • Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" (1776) made a compelling case for independence and helped shift public opinion
  • The Battle of Bunker Hill (June 1775) demonstrated the resolve of colonial forces and resulted in heavy British casualties
  • The Siege of Boston (1775-1776) ended with the British evacuation of the city, a significant morale boost for the colonists

Legacy and Impact

  • The American Revolution (1775-1783) resulted in the creation of an independent United States of America
  • The Declaration of Independence (1776) formally declared the colonies' separation from Britain and articulated the principles of self-governance and individual rights
  • The Articles of Confederation (1777) served as the first governing document of the United States, establishing a loose confederation of states
  • The Treaty of Paris (1783) officially ended the war, with Britain recognizing American independence and ceding territory to the new nation
  • The American Revolution inspired other colonial and independence movements around the world (e.g., Latin American revolutions)
  • The ideals of the American Revolution, such as liberty, equality, and self-determination, have had a lasting impact on political thought and governance
  • The Constitution of the United States (1787) and the Bill of Rights (1791) codified the principles of limited government, separation of powers, and individual rights
  • The American Revolution set the stage for the growth and development of the United States as a major world power in the centuries to come


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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.