A Shot For Freedom
The reason why the American Revolution happened can be contributed to the long years the colonists have spent in self-government. Wanting more freedom, they took offense on how Great Britain treated the colonies. These events led to the American Revolution.
The Proclamation of 1763
Settlement west of the Appalachian mountains were prohibited, reserving the land for Native Americans. The colonists took offense.
The Sugar Act
This was passed to offset the war debt from the French Indian war. Duties of foreign goods like sugar, coffee, wine, and textiles were doubled.
The Currency Act
Parliament banned colonists from issuing paper bills in 1764. The act threatened to destabilize the entire colonial economy.
Quartering Act
The act requires colonists to house and feed British troops when necessary.
The Stamp Act of 1765
Tax stamps were required on all printed material to pay for defense. This included newspapers, legal documents, bills, licenses, almanacs, dice and playing cards. Merchants boycotted English imports while underground organization like the Sons of Liberty started using violence.
Representatives from 9 out of 13 colonies gathered and drafted a petition for King George III. They claimed that the colonists should only be taxed by colonial legislatures and that “taxation without representation” is a violation of their civil rights.
In March of 1766, King George III repealed the Stamp Act after Benjamin Franklin warned them of a possible revolution. The Declaratory Act was passed, stating that Parliament has authority to make laws binding the colonies in all cases whatsoever.
Townshend Revenue Acts
June 1767, new taxes were imposed on imported paper, glass, and tea. On February 1768, Samuel Adams created a circular letter regarding the colonists’ protest against taxation without representation.
The Virginia Resolves
George Washington presented a set of resolutions written by George Mason on May 1769 opposing taxation without representation. The House of Burgesses was dissolved, but the members met the next day, agreeing to boycott British trade goods, luxury items and slaves.
The Boston Massacre
In March 5, 1770, harassed British officers open fired on a mob of people. Captain Thomas Preston and 8 of his men were arrested. The Townshend Acts were repealed in April, eliminating all duties on imports except for tea.
Boston Tea Party
Colonists opposed the tea tax passed on 1773 and the monopoly of the British East India Company. On December 16, activists disguised as Indians boarded three ships in Boston harbor and threw tea overboard. These resulted in Coercive acts being passed. Town meetings were outlawed and the Boston Harbor got closed.
First Continental Congress
From September to October 1774, representatives from 12 colonies met in Philadelphia to oppose the coercive acts. The newly created Continental Association called for a boycott of English imports.
Lexington and Concord
April 1775, British troops were ordered to seize colonial gun powder stores in Lexington and Concord. Orders to capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock were given. Open conflict arose and “a shot heard around the world” marked the beginning of the American Revolution.
Second Continental Congress
Another meeting took place in Philadelphia, this time with representatives from all 13 colonies. George Washington was appointed as head of the Continental army. He proclaims the colonies in rebellion after their major victory in Bunker Hill.
Basically, the American Revolution happened because of the treatment the colonists got from the British. The colonies wanted their rights as Englishmen, while the British viewed them as a means to suit their needs. In the end, the colonists fought for freedom, for independence, and for their rights as Americans.
