Causes of the American Revolution

Introduction/ Theme: The American Revolution began in the mid-1700s and ended with the Treaty of Paris signed in 1783. Culminating in the bold move of the American Colonies declaring independence in 1776, the American Revolution was not only a war, but a revolution of ideas around governance that had been evolving for many years.  As John Adams said, “The revolution was affected before the war commenced. The revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people.”

Part A: Document 1:

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The French and Indian War resulted from ongoing frontier tensions in North America as both French and British imperial officials and colonists sought to extend each country’s sphere of influence in frontier regions. In North America, the war pitted France, French colonists, and their Native allies against Great Britain, the Anglo-American colonists and the Iroquois Confederacy, which controlled most of upstate New York and parts of northern Pennsylvania. Unfortunately for the British, the fruits of victory (in the French Indian War) brought seeds of future trouble with Great Britain’s American colonies. The war had been enormously expensive, and the British government’s attempts to impose taxes on colonists to help cover these expenses resulted in increasing colonial resentment of British attempts to expand imperial authority in the colonies. British attempts to limit western expansion by colonists and inadvertently provoke a major Indian war further angered the British subjects living in the American colonies. These disputes would ultimately spur colonial rebellion that eventually developed into a full-scale war for independence.

Office of the Historian, United States of America Department of State (2014)

1) What were the essential causes of the French & Indian War?

2) Identify two ways in which the French & Indian War ultimately created conflicts between the British and their colonies in America.

Document 2a:

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“An act for granting and applying certain stamp duties, and other duties, in the British colonies and plantations in America, towards further defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same…For every skin or piece of vellum or parchment, or sheet or piece of paper, on which shall be engrossed, written or printed....within the British colonies and plantations in America, a stamp duty of three pence…”

Stamp Act 1765, Parliament of Great Britain(1765)

1) According to line 2, what were the funds from the Stamp Act meant for?

2) According to lines 3 & 4, what was the Stamp Act taxing?

3) Was the Stamp Act written by the British Government, or the American colonists? How might this have contributed to American colonists’ desire to overthrow the British government?

Document 2b:

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I AM sorry to be obliged to acquaint my Readers, that as The STAMP ACT, is fear’d to be obligatory upon us after the First of November ensuing, (the fatal Tomorrow) the Publisher of this Paper unable to bear the burthen [burden], has thought it expedient TO STOP awhile, in order to deliberate, whether any Methods can be found to elude the Chains forged for us, and escape the insupportable Slavery, which it is hoped, from the last Representations [demonstrations] now made against that Act, may be affected. Meanwhile, I must earnestly Request every Individual of my Subscribers, many of whom have been long behind Hand, that they would immediately Discharge their respective Arrears [pay their overdue subscriptions] that I may be able, not only to support myself during the Interval, but be better prepared to proceed again with this Paper, whenever an opening for that Purpose appears, which I hope will be soon.

Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser, William Bradford (1765)

1) According to document 2b, why was William Bradford no longer able to publish the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser?

2) Using both document 2a and 2b, how did the Stamp Act affect the lives of everyday citizens in the American colonies? Cite textual evidence from both documents to support your claim.

Document 2c:

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My Dear Countrymen,AWAKE! Awake, my Countrymen and defeat those who want to enslave us. Do not be cowards. You were born in Britain, the Land of Light, and you were raised in America, the Land of Liberty. It is your duty to fight this tax (stamp act). Future generations will bless your efforts and honor the memory of the saviors of their country. I urge you to tell your representatives that you do not support this terrible and burdensome law. Let them know what you think. They should act as guardians of the liberty of their country. I look forward to congratulating you on delivering us from the enemies of truth and liberty.

Boston Gazette (October 7 1765)

1) According to document 2c, how did colonists view the British government after the Stamp Act, as enemies or supporters?

2) Using documents 2a, 2b, and 2c, how could the Stamp Act have led to the American revolution?

Document 3:

“The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street, March 5th 1770”, Paul Revere (1770)

1) This image was created by a Bostonian, Paul Revere, a famous American Colonist who was actively involved in the movement for American Independence. What biases might be present in this image as a result of his active participation the independence movement? Cite evidence from the image to support your claim.

2) How did the Boston Massacre contribute to the American colonists declaring war against the British?

Document 4A:

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But there is another and greater distinction for which no truly natural or religious reason can be assigned, and that is, the distinction of men into KINGS and SUBJECTS... For all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have a right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others forever, and though himself might deserve some decent degree of honors of his contemporaries, yet his descendants might be far too unworthy to inherit them.

Common Sense, Thomas Paine (1776)

1) In lines 1 - 5, what is Thomas Paine suggesting about monarchies?

Document 4 B 1234567

Any submission to, or dependence on, Great Britain, tends to directly involve this Continent in European wars and quarrels, and set us at variance with nations who would otherwise seek our friendship, and against whom we have neither anger nor complaint. As Europe is our market for trade, we ought to form no partial connection with any part of it. It is the true interest of America to steer clear of European contentions, which she never can do, while, by her dependence on Britain, she is made the make weight in the scale of British politics.

–Thomas Paine, excerpt from common Sense, 1776

1) According to Thomas Paine, how does being part of the British Empire impact the colonies politically?

2) According to Thomas Paine, how does being part of the British Empire impact the colonies economically?

3) According to Documents 4A & B, does Thomas Paine support loyalty or independence from the British Empire? Use evidence from the text to support your claim.

Document 5:

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...The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world...He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained;...He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only...He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people...He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny,...: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant,...That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown...–Thomas Jefferson, excerpt from the declaration of Independence, 1776

Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson (1776)

1. What is Thomas Jefferson’s objective in writing this document?

2. Identify at least two pieces of evidence Jefferson uses in an attempt to support his claim.

Part B: American Revolution

Historical ContextThe American Revolution began in the mid-1700s and ended with the Treaty of Paris signed in 1783. Culminating in the bold move of the American Colonies declaring independence in 1776, the American Revolution was not only a war, but a revolution of ideas around governance that had been evolving for many years.  As John Adams said, “The revolution was affected before the war commenced. The revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people.”

Task:

Using the information from the seven documents in part A and your knowledge of US history, write an essay in which you

● Explain the causes of the American Revolution. Why were the American colonists driven to declare war on the British Empire?

○ Describe in detail 3 causes of the American Revolution.

In developing your answers to part B, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:

describe means “to illustrate something in words or tell about it”explain means “to make plain or understandable; to give reasons for or causes of; to show the logical development or relationships of”

Guidelines:

In your essay, be sure to:

● Develop all aspects of the task ● Incorporate information from at least four documents● Incorporate relevant outside information● Support the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details● Use a logical and clear plan of organization, including an introduction and a conclusion

that are beyond a restatement of the theme

Name______________________ Period_______U.S. History & Gov Date________

Causes of the American Revolution: Document Analysis & Note Sheet

Document 1

1) What were the essential causes of the French & Indian War?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) Identify two ways in which the French & Indian War ultimately created conflicts between the British and their colonies in America. __________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________Notes

Document 2A

1) According to line 2, what were the funds from the Stamp Act meant for?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) According to lines 3 & 4, what was the Stamp Act taxing?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

3) Was the Stamp Act written by the British Government, or the American colonists? How might this have contributed to American colonists’ desire to overthrow the British government? __________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Document 2B

1) According to document 2b, why was William Bradford no longer able to publish the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) Using both document 2a and 2b, how did the Stamp Act affect the lives of everyday citizens in the American colonies? Cite textual evidence from both documents to support your claim.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Document 2c: 1) According to document 2c, how did colonists view the British government after the Stamp Act, as enemies or supporters?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) Using documents 2a, 2b, and 2c, how could the Stamp Act have led to the American Revolution?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Document 3:

1) This image was created by a Bostonian, Paul Revere, a famous American Colonist who was actively involved in the movement for American Independence. What biases might be present in this image as a result of his active participation the independence movement? Cite evidence from the image to support your claim.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) How did the Boston Massacre contribute to the American colonists declaring war against the British?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Document 4A: 1) In lines 1 - 5, what is Thomas Paine suggesting about monarchies?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Document 4 B 1) According to Thomas Paine, how does being part of the British Empire impact the colonies politically? __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) According to Thomas Paine, how does being part of the British Empire impact the colonies economically?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________

3) According to Documents 4A & B, does Thomas Paine support loyalty or independence from the British Empire? Use evidence from the text to support your claim.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Document 5:

1) What is Thomas Jefferson’s objective in writing this document?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) Identify at least two pieces of evidence Jefferson uses in an attempt to support his claim.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Notes

Directions: Take notes on material related to these documents using the online text, PowerPoint presentations, video’s played in class, and any other materials that provide additional information related to the American Revolution.