why did the American Revolution start?
Social Studies · Middle School · Tue Nov 03 2020
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- Taxation without Representation: The British government imposed various taxes on the American colonies, such as the Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, and the Tea Act, without granting the colonies representation in the British Parliament. This lack of representation in decision-making processes led to the famous slogan, "No taxation without representation," and fueled resentment among the colonists.
- British Colonial Policies: The British government implemented policies that were seen as restrictive and infringing upon colonial autonomy. The Quartering Act, which required colonists to house and feed British soldiers, and the Intolerable Acts, which were punitive measures following the Boston Tea Party, further angered the colonists.
- Conflict over Colonial Governance: Disputes over the extent of self-governance and the role of British authority in colonial affairs escalated. Colonists increasingly sought greater control over their local governments, while the British government sought to maintain authority.
- Ideas of Enlightenment: Enlightenment ideals, emphasizing concepts such as individual rights, liberty, and representative government, influenced many American colonists. Thinkers like John Locke and others inspired a desire for greater political autonomy and independence.
- Incidents and Conflicts: Events such as the Boston Massacre (1770) and the Boston Tea Party (1773) heightened tensions between the colonists and British authorities. These incidents contributed to a growing sense of frustration and resistance.
- Continental Congress and Declaration of Independence: The convening of the Continental Congress in 1774 provided a platform for colonial leaders to discuss their grievances and consider a unified response. The adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, marked the formal declaration of the thirteen colonies' independence from British rule.