Causes of the American Revolution DBQ

American Revolution:What Were TheMajor Causes?

Overview: For 150 years, the American Colonies lived in relative peace and enjoyed a fairly pleasant relationship their mother country, Great Britain. So why, then, did one of the greatest and most influential wars in world history take place? Using the documents, you will be able answer: What are the major causes of the American Revolution?

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Causes of the American Revolution DBQ

Hook Exercise: American Revolution

Directions: Read the scenario and answer the questions that follow.

The rules are changing, how do you feel?

Every day for the past 2 months, you have gotten out of bed whenever you have wanted. You can watch TV, play video games, and hang out with your friends, any time you like. There is no set schedule for you. No one is home to tell you what to do, monitor what you are doing, and not preventing you from doing anything you want.

Two weeks ago, your parent(s)came home and said they had found a person to monitor what you were doing, give you permission to see your friends, play your video games, eat, etc. Her name is Mrs. Georgia. Mrs. Georgia is now with you all the time. You can’t escape her. She wakes you up at 5 am to do chores; she doesn’t allow you to see your friends, play your video games or do what you want.

Questions1. Write a paragraph (4-6 sentences) in response to your new rules with Mrs. Georgia.

2. How does what you are feeling in the scenario explain the generalization: People don’t like being told what to do?

Causes of the American Revolution DBQBackground Essay

American Revolution: What Were The Major Causes?

The American Revolution began in 1775 as open conflict between the united thirteen colonies and Great Britain. By the Treaty of Paris that ended the war in 1783, the colonies had won their independence. While no one event can be pointed to as the actual cause of the revolution, the war began as a disagreement over the way in which Great Britain treated the colonies versus the way the colonies felt they should be treated. Americans felt they deserved all the rights of Englishmen. The British, on the other hand, felt that the colonies were created to be used in the way that best suited the crown and parliament. This conflict is embodied in one of the rallying cries of the American Revolution: No Taxation without Representation. Colonial America would be divided among Patriots, those who began to call for independence, and Loyalists, who wished to remain devoted to the crown.

America's Independent Way of Thinking

Geographic Considerations - The distance of the colonies from Great Britain created an independence that was hard to overcome. Those willing to colonize the new world generally had a strong independent streak desiring new opportunities and more freedom.

Colonial Legislatures – The existence of colonial legislatures meant that the colonies were in many ways independent of the crown. The legislatures were allowed to levy (pass) taxes, muster troops, and pass laws. Over time, these powers became rights in the eyes of many colonists. When they were curtailed (cut short) by the British, conflict ensued.

Salutary Neglect - was the unwritten, unofficial stance of benign (not harmful) neglect by England toward the American colonies. On the whole, the colonists were relatively autonomous (independent) and were allowed to govern themselves with minimal royal and parliamentary interference.

The Enlightenment – Many revolutionary leaders had studied major writings of the Enlightenment including those of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and the Baron de Montesquieu. From these writings, the founders gleaned the concepts of the social contract, limited government, the consent of the governed, and separation of powers.

The Great Awakening – During this religious revival, colonists started to believe that God could speak directly to the people themselves, not just to preachers, kings, or others in power. The chain of authority no longer ran from God to ruler to people, but from God to people to ruler. This idea would spill into political life.

Major Events That Led to the American Revolution

The road to revolution built slowly over time. Many events fed the growing desire of the thirteen colonies for independence. Following are the major events that led to the Revolution.

1754-1763 - French and Indian WarThis war between Britain and France ended with the victorious British deeply in debt and demanding more revenue (income) from the colonies. With the defeat of the French, the colonies became less dependent on Britain for protection.

Causes of the American Revolution DBQ1763 - Proclamation of 1763This prohibited settlement beyond the Appalachian Mountains. While Britain did not intend to harm the colonists, many colonists took offense at this order.

1764 - Sugar ActThis act raised revenue by increasing duties (taxes) on sugar imported from the West Indies.

1764 - Currency ActParliament argued that colonial currency had caused devaluation harmful to British trade. They banned American assemblies from issuing paper bills or bills of credit.

1764 - Committees of CorrespondenceOrganized by Samuel Adams, these helped spread propaganda and information through letters.

1765 - Quartering ActBritain ordered that colonists were to house and feed British soldiers if necessary.

1765 - Stamp ActThis required tax stamps on many items and documents including playing cards, newspapers, and marriage licenses. Prime Minister George Grenville stated that this direct tax was intended for the colonies to pay for defense. Previous taxes imposed by Britain had been indirect, or hidden.

1765 - Stamp Act CongressIn 1765, 27 delegates from nine colonies met in New York City and drew up a statement of rights and grievances thereby bringing colonies together in opposition to Britain.

1765 - Sons and Daughters of LibertyColonists tried to fight back by imposing non-importation agreements. The Sons of Liberty often took the law into their own hands enforcing these 'agreements' by methods such as tar and feathering.

1767 - Townshend ActsThese taxes were imposed to help make the colonial officials independent of the colonists and included duties on glass, paper, and tea. Smugglers increased their activities to avoid the tax leading to more troops in Boston.

1770 - Boston MassacreThe colonists and British soldiers openly clashed in Boston. This event was used as an example of British cruelty despite questions about how it actually occurred.

1773 - Tea ActTo assist the failing British East India Company, the Company was given a monopoly (exclusive control) to trade tea in America.

1773 - Boston Tea PartyA group of colonists disguised as Indians dumped tea overboard from three ships in Boston Harbor.

1774 - Intolerable ActsThese were passed in response to the Boston Tea Party and placed restrictions on the colonists including outlawing town meetings and the closing of Boston Harbor.

Background Essay text taken from About.com-Causes of the American Revolution: The Colonial Mindset and events that led to a revolt. Written by Martin Kelly.

Causes of the American Revolution DBQ

Background Essay Questions

1. How would being far away from Great Britain be a problem for the colonists? How did this fact led to the American Revolution?

2. How did the idea of salutary neglect contribute to the causes of the American Revolution?

3. Where did the Founding Fathers learn the ideas of natural rights and a social contract? How did these ideas influence them?

4. Define or explain each term. Then use the word in an original sentence or draw a picture representing the word:

Patriot-

Loyalist-

Salutary Neglect-

Mercantilism-

Revolt-

French and Indian War-

Civil Disobedience-

Causes of the American Revolution DBQ

Document 1

Source: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/colonialhouse/history/pilgrims/index.html

Note: The distance between Boston and London is roughly 3,000 miles. The journey across the Atlantic would take around two months.

Source: http://www.landofthebrave.info/salutary-neglect.htm

Note: See Background Essay for definition of Salutary Neglect.

Document Analysis

1a) How does Salutary Neglect compare to the phrase, “when the cat’s away the mice will play”?

1b) How is Salutary Neglect a cause of the American Revolution?

Reasons for the Policy of Salutary Neglect

The reasons for the policy of Salutary Neglect were it was too difficult, too expensive and politically too risky to enforce the laws:

Enforcement: During the early period of colonization there were no effective enforcement agencies in place

Distance & Transport: 3000 miles from England to the colonies Complex Logistics: Required difficult coordination of people, facilities and supplies Expense: Too expensive to implement Political Dangers: Dissatisfied and discontented Colonists would find a willing ally in the

French

Causes of the American Revolution DBQ

Document 2

Document Analysis

2a) In your own words, what is the Proclamation of 1763?

2b) Why did the British feel it was necessary to pass this act?

2c) How do you think Americans would react to this proclamation?

At the end of the Seven Years’ War in 1763, France surrendered Canada and much of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys to England. The Proclamation of 1763 “preserved to the said Indians” the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains and ordered white settlers “there forthwith to remove themselves from such Settlements.” Power over westward expansion was solely in the hands of the British. By preventing the colonial population from moving inland the British hoped to avoid costly wars, protect the western fur trade, and keep western land

speculation under the control of the crown. To enforce

the proclamation, Britain authorized positioning 10,000 troops along the frontier, with the costs of 250,000 pounds sterling per year to be paid by the colonists. The Americans, who looked at the new land as an opportunity for settlement without the interference of the British government, resented the terms of the proclamation.

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Causes of the American Revolution DBQ

Document 3

Document Analysis

3a) According to the Quartering Act, what were the colonists required to do?

3b) How do you think the colonists would feel about this act?

3c) How would this be a cause of the American Revolution?

Quartering Act (1765)

His majesty hereby requires the people to house and quarter his soldiers and officers in barrackers provided by the colonies; and if there shall not be sufficient room in these barracks, then in such a case the soldiers must be housed in the quartered in the homes of the people in the colony. They are also required to do the following:

Provide food for the troops Provide beer and wine for troops Provide bedding, utensils, candles and firewood for troops

Causes of the American Revolution DBQ

Document 4

Source: http://usflagstore.blogspot.com/

Source: http://myloc.gov/Exhibitions/jeffersonslibrary/interactives/page_revolution.html

Note: Below is an account from Mercy Otis Warren, one of the most prominent women authors of her time. She was at the center of major events of the period mainly due to her marriage to American General James Warren.

Document Analysis

4a) Summarize the Stamp Act; include why Britain passed it and what was taxed.

4b) How did the Stamp Act contribute as a cause of the American Revolution?

…the memorable era of the stamp-act, in one thousand seven hundred and sixty-four, was the first innovation that gave general alarm throughout the continent. By this extraordinary act, a certain duty was to be levied on all bonds, bills of landing, public papers and writings of every kind, for the express purpose of raising revenue to the crown. As soon as this intelligence was transmitted to America, an universal murmur succeeded; and while the judicious and penetrating thought it time to make a resolute stand against the encroachments of power, the resentment of the lower classes broke out into such excesses of riot and tumult… The commissioners of the stamp office were everywhere compelled to renounce their employments and to make no further attempts to act in this obnoxious business.

Causes of the American Revolution DBQ

Document 5

Source: Engraving by Paul Revere, March 28, 1770.

Note: On March 5, 1770, a crowd of Boston boys and men surrounded a number of British soldiers and began taunting and cursing them while they pelted them with snowballs. Order quickly broke down, and the frightened soldiers fired into the crowd. When the shooting ended, five people were dead and a few more were wounded. This engraving by Paul Revere, a leader of the Boston Sons of Liberty, was sent throughout the Colonies in the following weeks to arouse anti-British sentiments.

Document Analysis

5a) How does the engraving tell a different story from the above description of the Boston Massacre?

5b) Where do you suppose the term "massacre" came from that describes this event?

5c) How would this event be a cause of the American Revolution?

Causes of the American Revolution DBQ

Document 6

Source: Excerpts from the Tea Act, British Parliament, May 10, 1773.

Document Analysis

6a) Describe the tea act.

6b) Why would the creation of the monopoly of the British East India Company anger colonists?

6c) How is the Tea Act a cause of the American Revolution?

Tea Act 1773

An act to allow a drawback of the duties of customs on the exportation of tea to any of his Majesty's colonies or plantations in America; to increase the deposit on bohea tea to be sold at the India Company's sales; and to impower the commissioners of the treasury to grant licenses to the East India Company to export tea duty-free….(intituled, An act for repealing the present inland duty of four shillings per pound weight upon all tea sold in Great Britain; and for granting to his Majesty certain other inland duties in lieu thereof; and for better securing the duty upon tea, and other duties of excise; and for pursuing offenders out of one county into another,)….. forty shillings for every tub and for every chest of tea; and in case any such person or persons shall refuse or neglect to make such deposit within the time before limited, he, she, or they, shall forfeit and lose six times the value of such deposit directed to be made as aforesaid, to be recovered by action of debt.

"It was now evening, and I immediately dressed myself in the costume of an Indian, equipped with a small hatchet, which I and my associates denominated the tomahawk, with which, and a club, after having painted my face and hands with coal dust in the shop of a blacksmith, I repaired to Griffin's wharf, where the ships lay that contained the tea. When I first appeared in the street after being thus disguised, I fell in with many who were dressed, equipped and painted as I was, and who fell in with me and marched in order to the place of our destination. When we arrived at the wharf, they divided us into three parties, for the purpose of boarding the three ships which contained the tea at the same time…We then were ordered by our commander to open the hatches and take out all the chests of tea and throw them overboard, and we immediately proceeded to execute his orders, first cutting and splitting the chests with our tomahawks, so as thoroughly to expose them to the effects of the water.”

Causes of the American Revolution DBQ

Document 7

Source: http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/teaparty.htm

Note: George Hewes was a member of the band of “Indians” that boarded the tea ships that evening. His recollection of the events was published some years later.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_tea_party#cite_note-1

Document Analysis

7a) How would the British react to the Boston Tea Party?

7b) Why is the Boston Tea Party a major cause of the American Revolution? Who is at fault for this (England or Colonies)?

Causes of the American Revolution DBQ

Document 8

Source: http://www.ushistory.org/us/9g.asp

Note: The British called their responsive measures to the Boston Tea Party, the INTOLERABLE ACTS. Boston Harbor was closed to trade until the owners of the tea were compensated. Only food and firewood were permitted into the port. Town meetings were banned, and the authority of the royal governor was increased. British troops and officials would now be tried outside Massachusetts for crimes of murder. Intolerable - unable to be endured

Source: http://www.freewebs.com/yamiaainferno/theintolerableacts.htm

Document Analysis

8a) Why would the colonists call these acts intolerable?

8b) Why would the Intolerable Acts be a cause of the American Revolution? Who is at fault for this (England or Colonies)?

This Town has received the Copy of an Act of the British Parliament, wherein it appears that we have been tried and condemned, and are to be punished, by the shutting up of the harbor and other marks of revenge, until we shall disgrace ourselves by servilely yielding up, in effect, the just and righteous claims of America....The people receive this cruel edict with abhorrence and indignation. They consider themselves as suffering the stroke ministerial...I hope they will sustain the blow with a becoming fortitude, and that the cursed design of intimidating and subduing the spirits of all America, will, by the joint efforts of all, be frustrated.

– Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren (May 14, 1774)

Causes of the American Revolution DBQ

Document 9

Source: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/c/clementsmss/umich-wcl-M-375lex?view=text

Note: These events are often referred to its nickname, "the shot heard 'round the world" due to the implications that would follow.

Document Analysis

9a) What was commanded of the British troops in this event?

9b) Who seemed to have "won" at Lexington? What about at Concord? Provide textual evidence.

9c) How are the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord a cause of the American Revolution?

The Battles of Lexington and Concord

On August 19, 1775, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith, under the orders of British General Thomas Gage, secretly led a large group of British troops to the town of Concord, Massachusetts, with the purpose of destroying the Massachusetts militia's store of arms and military supplies. Patriot organizers learned of the expedition and moved the stores to safe locations. The local militia, the Minutemen, faced the British at Lexington early in the morning on April 19th, but were outnumbered; they retreated after a brief firefight. The Minutemen attacked again at Concord and forced the British to retreat, with Patriots inflicting heavy casualties on the British as they marched back to Boston. The conflicts initiated the Siege of Boston, and are considered the first battles of the American Revolution. After the skirmish, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress ordered the taking of official depositions from many witnesses present at the fight, in order to establish that the British fired the first shot. The question of which side fired the opening [shots] is still unanswered.

Causes of the American Revolution DBQ

Document 10

Source: Excerpts from 2nd Treatise on Government, by John Locke, 1689.

Source: Excerpts from Common Sense by Thomas Paine, 1776.

Document Analysis

10a) According to John Locke, what happens if a government abuses its power?

10b) What is the message Thomas Paine is trying to get across?

10c) Explain who these documents blame for the American Revolution. Is this blame correct?

“[Man], hath by nature a power, not only to preserve his property, that is, his life, liberty and estate, against the injuries and attempts of other men…

Whenever the Legislators endeavor to take away, and destroy the Property of the People, or to reduce them to Slavery under Arbitrary Power, they put themselves into a state of War with the People, who are thereupon absolved from any farther Obedience... By this breach of Trust they forfeit the Power the People had put into their hands, and it devolves to the People, who have a Right to resume their original Liberty.”

…and it is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still….I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation to show a single advantage that this continent can reap by being connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge; not a single advantage is derived. Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART. 

Why is it that we hesitate? From Britain we can expect nothing but ruin. If she is admitted to the government of America again, this continent will not be worth living in…

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