Definitions

• AN UNDERLYING CAUSE: A basic or hidden cause

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• SYMPTOMS: Specific events that build tension

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• A SPARK: The final event that breaks the tension and starts the violence

Underlying Cause of Rev. War

• What was it? French and Indian War» French and Indians Vs. Colonists and England over land

west of Appalachians» England/Colonists win war, France gives up land.

• Why?:– England needs to keep control—too much land– War Debt for England

Symptoms

• To reassert British political & economic control• To restore colonial respect for British laws• To force the colonies to pay a large portion of

the cost of the French and Indian War

1. THE PROCLAMATION ACT - 1763:

This act or law prohibited colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains into land won from France in the French and Indian War. In turn, Great Britain would protect the colonists from invading Native Americans. 7,500 British troops would protect this frontier line with the colonists paying for 1/3 of the $1,000,000 annual cost.

Navigation Act

• All goods must be on British ships.• Gave British a monopoly, $$$

• How did colonists respond?– Smuggling

THE SUGAR ACT – 1764:

Under this law sugar, coffee, molasses and other items were to be taxed upon entry into any colonial port. These import taxes, called customs duties, were not high. The British hoped the lower tax would encourage colonists to pay the duty on foreign molasses instead of smuggling molasses from the French West Indies.

Writs of Assistance

• England can search all property and warehouses for goods that might be smuggled.

• Why? Merchants in much of New England were skillful at evading the system and many had become masters of smuggling. (John Hancock)

• How did colonists respond?

Sugar Act Continued

• In addition to raising money, the Sugar Act was also designed to crack down on smuggling. It established special courts to hear smuggling cases. British judges, rather than juries would decide whether accused smugglers were to be jailed.

• Issues with Sugar Act– English Bill of Rights—trial by jury– Taxes to England—but no representative in

Parliament– “Taxation w/o representation