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The American Revolution

The Basics - The following has been covered on most of the New York State Examinations

• The real problem between Britain and her 13 North American colonies begins during the French and Indian War when the colonies refused to assist the mother country in defeating the French. This war ousted the French from North America, but created a large war debt in the process. As a result, the British government begins to place taxes on the colonists in an effort to pay its debts. Afterall, the citizens back in England paid these taxes - why should the colonists be any different?

• Causes of the American Revolution
  

  1. Proclamation of 1763 - After winning the French and Indian War, English colonists begin to cross the Appalachian Mountains and move on to Native American lands, causing many violent altercations. Because the British could not afford to place soldiers everywhere, they decided to forbid the colonists to cross the mountains. This angered the colonists, some of whom were already living on the west of the mountains.
     

  2. No Taxation without Representation - This colonial complaint centered around the idea that because colonists did not send any representatives to speak for them in the English Parliment (Legislature), the Parliament had no right to tax them.
     

  3. Navigation Acts - These laws said that Britain had to profit from any trade that involved the colonies. The colonists, especially in New England where shipping and trading were important parts of the economy, simply avoided these laws, refusing to pay import or exports taxes (duties) on goods. When the British tried to crack down on these violations, the Sons and Daughters of Liberty spread anti-Bristish propaganda.
     

  4. Boycott of British Goods - The colonists, largely led by Sam Adams' Sons and Daughters of Liberty, would organize boycotts of British goods that were to be taxed. A boycott is a refusal to purchase something. Thus, the colonists would boycott British Tea in hopes of having the taxes removed.
     

  5. Stamp Act - This law put a tax on dice, playing cards, newspapers, and legal documents such as a birth certificate. You had to pay for an official wax stamp to be placed on the product.
     

  6. Townshend Acts - Taxes on lead, paint, paper, glass, and tea.
     

  7. Tea Act - This law actually lowered the price of tea, but because the law said that British companies could no sell directly to the colonists instead of selling it to a colonial store first, it put colonial stores out of business. The colonists rallied to support the store owners, led by the Sons and Daughters of Liberty. To protest this law, the Sons of Liberty dumped cases of tea from a Brisitsh ship into the Boston Harbor - an event known as the Boston Tea Party. In response, the British issued the Intolerable Acts, specifically designed to punish the colonies.
     

  8. Declaration of Independence - Signed on July 4, 1776 (Independence Day), this document finally stated that the colonies were free from England. It was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson and said that because King George III of Britain violated the basic human rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, the colonists were free to declare freedom from the King and create their own country, the United States of America. The colonists, would, of course, have to fight Britain to earn their freedom first. The resulting war is the American Revolution.
     

• The British had many advantages at the beginning of the war including experienced soldiers and officers, an established government, weaponry, and the best navy in the world. However, the colonists had motivation, the use of guerilla warfare (small hit and run battle experience) and the home field advantage on their side, allowing them to win the war by 1783.

• The turning point of the war was the Battle of Saratoga, NY. This foiled the Bristish plan to separate New England from the rest of the colonies. It also showed Britain's rival, France, that the colonies could win the war. Thus, the French joined with the Americans and provided a much needed navy and fresh, well trained troops.