Before the American Revolution, North American lands were under the control of the British and French Crowns. The process of America gaining its independence had many struggles along the way. There were many causes that led to Americans fighting for their independence under the American Revolution.
Colonies were founded
Many colonies in North America were originally founded as a result of people trying to escape religious oppression in England. However, the British government became increasingly involved in the issues of the colonies. As a result, people were worried that this would soon become the same problem all over again with their freedoms being taken away.
French and Indian War
From 1754 to 1763, the American colonies and New France engaged in a war against each other known as the French and Indian War. As the war went on, both sides found allies in American Indian tribes. During the war, British troops helped the colonies fight the war against France. After the war, British troops were stationed in the different colonies for protection. Britain decided to tax the American colonies in order to pay for the British troops.
No taxation without representation
Before 1764, the British government left the American colonists alone and they governed themselves. However, in 1764 the British started to impose new taxes and laws on the American colonies. Some of the laws implemented include the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Quartering Act, and the Currency Act. Since the colonists had no representation in the British government, they argued that they should not have to pay taxes. This is where the saying “No Taxation Without Representation” was born.
Boston protests
Colonists in Boston started to protest the different Acts and taxes that the British government imposed. In 1965, just a year after the British government started imposing new laws and taxes, a group in Boston was formed called the Sons of Liberty. The Sons of Liberty spread throughout the colonies. During a protest in Boston, a fight broke out and some colonists were shot and killed. Later, this incident would be known as the Boston Massacre.
Also in Boston, but in 1773, the British were protesting a tax that was imposed on tea. Many colonists in Boston boarded ships in the Boston harbor and dumped their tea into the water. Later, this incident would be known as the Boston Tea Party. As a result of the Boston Tea Party, the British decided that punishment was needed. To punish the colonists, the British issued many new laws that were known as the Intolerable Acts.
One of the Intolerable Acts was called the Boston Port Act, which shut down the Boston port and eliminated trade. The British parked their ships in the Boston Harbor, blocking and punishing everyone that lived in Boston. This sparked a lot of concern for other colonies that thought the British would do the same types of acts to them.
Colonial Unity
After the British imposed more and more law to punish the colonies, it had the colonial people very upset. The colonials united in their frustration with the British. After the incidents in Boston, many colonials from other areas in North America sent supplies to Boston during the blockade. In addition, many colonials joined the Sons of Liberty during this time. Colonial unity certainly contributed to being one of the causes of the American Revolution.
In response to the Intolerable Acts, in 1774, twelve of the thirteen colonies sent representation to the First Continental Congress. In the First Continental Congress, they sent a petition to King George III to repeal the Intolerable Acts. Unfortunately, they never got a response from the King.
Beginning of the American Revolution
In the beginning of 1775, British soldiers in Massachusetts were ordered to disarm the Americans and to arrest their leaders. Fighting broke out between the two sides at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The American Revolution, otherwise known as the Revolutionary War, began on April 19, 1775.
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