Causes of the American Revolution
The French and Indian War- was one of the causes of the American Revolution.
The French and Indian War caused the American Revolution because of the costs of
going to war. For the French war expenses left them vulnerable. Also the French lost
men in the bloody battles during the French and Indian War leaving them even more
crippled. This would later allow the colonists to defeat them.
The Proclamation of 1763- influenced the American Revolution by making the
colonists angry with Great Britain. The Proclamation of 1763 was issued by Britain in
order to establish governments for their new territories, encourage peace between
colonists and Native Americans and to keep colonists close to the coast line for the
purpose of easier trade and taxation. This infuriated the colonists because they saw the
territory between the Appalacians and the Missippi as theirs. In the colonists opinion they
had taken the territory when they fought and defeated the French.
Suger Acts-. The Suger Acts were a series of taxes that cracked down on the merchants
in the colonies. This enraged the colonists because they were experiencing a post-war
and the new taxes would just worsen the
in North America so they didnt have to import taxed goods from Great Britain. These new businesses
showed the colonists that they didnt need Great Britain because they could produce their own goods.
The Quartering Act- angered the Colonists by forcing them to house British troops. The colonists
helped house the British troops during the war against the French however they did not want to house
troops during a time of peace. The Quartering Act told the colonies that they had to house British troops
when they were inside the colonies. Because the colonists were unable to make their own decisions they
became angry with the British.
The Stamp Acts- influenced the American Revolution by angering the colonist. The
Stamp Acts were a series of taxes on all imported goods with a stamp on them. This angered the colonists because they did
not agree with the new taxes, the British forced the colonists to accept the new taxes. The main argument of
the colonists was, taxation without representation. Taxation without representation is from the1689 English
Bill of Rights which forbid the imposition of taxes without the consent of Parliament.
The Tea Act- was a series of taxes against the colonists that lead to the Boston Tea Party. the Boston
Tea Party on December 16, 1773, was when colonists boarded East India Company ships and dumped their
loads of tea overboard. This resistance was frustrating to the British. In retaliation to the Boston Tea Party the
Parliament responded with a series of harsh measures intended to end colonial resistance to British rule. Two
years later war broke out between the colonies and the British.
The Intolerable Acts- were a series of laws designed to punish the colonies for their resistance to
British taxes. The Intolerable closed ports so only British ships could enter, forced colonists to house and
feed British troops, and made it so British officials couldnt be tried in the colonies. These laws forced colonists
to accept British rule which infuriated them. Also these laws forced the colonists to buy British goods only.
The First Continental Congress- lead to the American Revolution by holding secret meetings to discuss
what should be done about the Intolerable Acts. The Continental Congress decided that they would petition Britain.
Also the Continental Congress decided if Britain did not change its policys then the Congress would meet
agian to discuss their next actions.
Famous Leaders
George Washington- George Washington was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, serving
as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Washington
was elected President as the unanimous choice of the 69 electors in 1788. He served two terms in office.
He oversaw the creation of a strong, well-financed national government that maintained neutrality in the
wars against Europe, suppressed rebellion, and won acceptance among Americans. His
established many forms and rituals of government that have been used since.
Richard Montgomery- Richard Montgomery was a Major General in the Continental Army during the
American Revolutionary War. When the American Revolutionary War broke out, Montgomery took up
the Patriot cause, and was elected to the New York Provincial Congress in May 1775. He captured Fort
St. Johns and then Montreal in November 1775, and then advanced to Quebec City where he joined
another force under the command of Benedict Arnold. On December 31, he led an attack on the city, but
was killed during the battle. The British found his body and gave it an honorable burial. His body was moved
to New York City in 1818.
Benedict Arnold- Benedict Arndold was a general during the American Revolutionary War who originally
fought for the American Continental Army but switched to the British Army. While a general on the American
side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British
forces. After the plot was exposed in September 1780, he was commissioned into the British Army as a
brigadier general.
Horatio Gates- Horatio Gates was a retired British soldier who served as an American general during the
Revolutionary War. On June 17, 1775, Congress commissioned Gates as a Brigadier General and Adjutant
General of the Continental Army. He is considered to be the first Adjutant General of the United States Army.
Thomas Gage- Thomas Gage was a British general, best known for his many years of service in North America,
including his role as military commander in the early days of the American Revolution. Gates was also appointed
the military governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, with instructions to implement the Intolerable Acts,
punishing Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. His attempts to seize military stores of Patriot militias in
April 1775 sparked the Battles of Lexington and Concord, beginning the American War of Independence.
William Howe- William Howe was a British army officer who rose to become Commander-in-Chief of British
Forces during the American Revolution. He led a force of 4,000 troops sent to reinforce the 5,000 troops under
General Thomas Gage at the vattle of Lexington and Concord. Howe and Gage formulated a plan to seize high
ground around Boston and then attack the besieging militia forces, and planned its execution for 18 June.
However, the colonists learned of the plan and fortified the heights of Breed's Hill on the Charlestown
peninsula on the night of 16–17 June, forcing the British leadership to rethink their strategy.
John Burgoyne- John Burgoyne was a British army officer, politician and dramatist. During the Saratoga
campaign he surrendered his army of 5,000 men to the American troops on October 17, 1777. Appointed to
command a force designated to capture Albany and end the rebellion, Burgoyne advanced from Canada but
soon found himself surrounded and outnumbered. He fought two battles at Saratoga, but was forced to
open negotiations with Horatio Gates.
Charles Cornwallis- Charles Cornwallis was a British Army officer and colonail administrator. In the United
States and the he is best remembered as one of the leading British generals in the American Revolution.
His surrender in 1781 to a combined American and French force at the Siege of Yorktown ended significant
hostilities in North America.
