American Revolution

1765-1783
American revolutionary war/ American war of Independence
1775-1783
Patriots(Americans)+French Empire vs. English+Loyalists
Colonial History of
America
• 1492: Christopher Columbus • Aim for setting up and
reached West Indies developing the territories?
• The new world was colonized
by European powers in the
16th and 17th centuries
• 13 English colonies were
established from 1607 to 1732
 Causes of American
Revolution
Socio-Cultural Causes Political
Causes
• Lots of Political and religious dissidents Colonies had self-appointed legislature
• and executive.
had settled in colonies(escaping • Head of government-Governor
persecution in Europe) appointed
• These people were liberal directly by British crown
thinkers: • No representation of colonies in
inspired by Enlightenment Parliament in London.
• Ideas; Liberalism, Natural
Rights…
• John Locke, Immanuel Kant,
Montesquieu, Benjamin Franklin
Economic Causes
• Development of trade and commerce • 1651: Use of only British ships for trade
between 13 colonies made them inter- transport
dependent-made them think of
• 1660: Sugar, Tobacco, cotton &indigo
themselves as one.
exports only to England
• The liberal ideas of society affected
trade and commerce too
• 1663: All trade to colonies only via
England
• Various navigation acts were passed by
Britain to serve her mercantilist interest
at the expense of colonies:
Seven Years War (1754-
63) • After the war-
• French threat to colonies were
• Between Britain and France gone
over territories in America • Britain went to heavy debt
• Spread to five continents • They planned to tax the
Colonists because the war
• India; 3 Carnatic War
rd
would benefit them the most
(land, resources, security)
• French were defeated
• Colonists forbidden to settle in
• Treaty of Paris was signed newly acquired land.
in
1763
 The various
unpopular
• acts
King George III (1760-1820)
• Sugar Act 1764-Sugar to be exported
only to England
• Quartering Act 1764-pay for English
soldiers stationed in America, provide
them lodging if required
• Stamp Act 1765- All legal documents,
newspapers, etc. needed to be
stamped(to give duty)
• Affected lawyers, journalists, educated
people the most.
• Sons of Liberty
• Formed in 1765
• Org led by Samuel Adams.
• Advocated use of violence, boycott of
British goods, trade with Britain
• Formed committees of correspondence-
for circulation of links
• Declaratory Act 1776: repealed stamp
act. CAVEAT: The British parliament
have all the powers to make laws and
tax the colonies in future!!
• Townshend Act 1767: Taxed essential
goods like tea, paper, glass, lead&paint+
power to British officials to search any
building or vessel
 The infamous
ACTS
Boston Masssacre 1770:
five protestors were killed
Tea Act 1773: Lord North,
new PM of Britain Boston Tea Party: groups
by british soldiers; removed all taxes except led by Samuel Adams
publicized heavily TEA. boarded the ships worth
Turned public opinion Protestors refused to let 10000 pounds in water.
against Crown Rule ships laden with tes
into harbours
 • First Continental Congress (sept 1774)
• Meeting of Representatives of all 13
colonies
• First semblance of
American Government.
• Intolerable Acts 1774:
• Decided to boycott British goods and
• Public meetings in town halls banned increase use of domestically produced
• Boston port closed goods

• Compensation demanded for the • Stop trade with Britain

dumped tea • War Broke out by April 1775
• RESPONSE: militias started getting • Coomon sense pamphlet;
trained INDEPENDENCE
End of
War
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