Session 2: The American Revolution

The Causes for Revolt

Class Objectives• Explain the effects of British colonialism in the Americas by

understanding mercantilism, Navigation Acts and Salutary Neglect.

• Identify the cause, participants and victor and treaty that ended the French and Indian War

• Assess the 3 effects of the French and Indian War on the American Revolution

• Identify the Proclamation of 1763, Sugar Act, Stamp Act and Townshend Acts and the response of the colonists.

• Explain the significance of the Boston Massacre, Tea Act and Intolerable Acts and the response of the colonists.

The Build-up to Revolution

• Phase I: British Colonial Actions 1608-1754

• Phase II: The French and Indian War 1754-1763

• Phase III: British Colonial Actions 1763-1775

Phase I: British Colonial Actions

1608-1754• Britain like its rivals was influenced by

mercantilism , or the goal of self-sufficiency and used their colonies to achieve this

• When the colonies began to trade with Britain’s rivals, the Navigation Acts(1651) were passed limiting colonial trade to Britain only.

• In the 1680’s Britain eased its governing policies and regulations on the colonies…Salutary Neglect … which allowed the colonial governments to have more self-ruling capabilities.

Phase II: The French and Indian War 1754-1763

• Cause: Colonial rivals Britain and Francewere in dispute over control over of the Ohio River Valley and overall domination of North America.

• Participants: The British, the American Colonists and their Indian allies against the French and their Indian allies.

• Outcome: After over 7 years of fighting, the British prevailed and took control of North America east of the Mississippi. The Treaty of Paris in 1763 officially ended the war.

Phase III: British Colonial Actions 1763-1775

• Effects of the French and Indian War…

1. New lands were open to settlement creating tension between colonists and Native Americans.

2. 10,000 British troops were stationed in the Americas to maintain order which angered many colonists.

3. The British had a sizeable debt after the war and looked to the American Colonies to help relieve it through taxation.

Check for Understanding

• What is mercantilism, how did it control British colonial policies?

• What was the purpose of the Navigation Acts?

• What is salutary neglect, what did it provide for the colonists.

• What was the main cause of the French and Indian War?…who fought…who won?

• What were the three effects of the French and Indian War for the British.

Activity

– 1. Complete the information box on the back of your note sheet.

– 2. Create a simple protest poster that accurately portrays the colonists feeling towards the British action.

– 3. Present the information gathered by your group to the class and explain your poster.

Check for Understanding

• What was the significance of the Proclamation of 1763

• What was the significance of the Sugar Act

• What was the significance of the Townshend Act

• What was the significance of the Stamp Act

• What was the significance of the Boston Massacre

• What was the significance of the Tea Act

• What was the significance of the Intolerable Acts

Next Class

• Homework: Review

Notes

• Session III: The American

Revolution- Colonial

Response and Sympathies.

• Quiz on Wednesday:

Sessions I and II.