Revolutionary War Causes

There were many causes leading up to the Revolutionary War for America’s independence. The British introduced numerous proclamations and acts that imposed strict limitations on the colonists which they did not like, and as a result, there was a long period of conflict starting with the French and Indian War. The French and Indian War was from 1754-1763 and was also known as the Seven Years’ War. This war happened because the “Ohio River Valley brought repeated conflict with the claims of British colonies, and it was a series of battles that led to official British declaration of war in 1756.” (History.com) Soon after the war, the British and French claimed their land. “The French and Indian War began over the specific issue of whether the

The Proclamation of 1763 stated that the colonists were not allowed to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. “In 1763, at the end of the French and Indian War, the British issued a proclamation, mainly intended to conciliate the Indians by checking the encroachment of settlers on their lands. In the centuries since the proclamation, it has become one of the cornerstones of Native American law in the United States and Canada.” History.com) There were many angered colonists who didn’t believe this was right so many of them ignored the law. The Boston Massacre was also a cause of the American Revolution. On October 7, 1763 the British Board of Trade under approval of King George III issued the Proclamation of 1763. This Proclamation established a variety of limiting legislature in regards to interaction with the American Indians, boundaries for territories, and governmental responsibility. The Proclamation Line, a component of the Proclamation itself, was issued to illustrate the “geographical limitations of colonial settlement.” Any land that resided west of the Appalachian Mountains: from the southern area of Hudson Bay to the northern lands above Florida were all to be preserved for American Indian

The first act was the Quartering Act. The Quartering Act stated that colonists were required to house soldiers and provide them with supplies. This made an impact on people’s daily lives. The next act was known as the Sugar Act. The Sugar Act placed a tax on all molasses and sugar sold in the colonies. Thirdly, the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act was a tax requiring colonists to purchase a stamp on all legal and commercial documents. (newspapers, flyers, playing cards, contracts, etc.) It was later repealed in 1766. The Declaratory Act declared that Parliament has supreme authority to govern all of the colonies. The Townshend Act came next. This was actually New York’s law. It placed taxes on glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea. The Townshend Act used writs of assistance to help enforce the taxes. This also allowed British officers to enter homes looking for smuggled goods. The Tea Act was the act that lead to the Boston Tea Party. The Tea Act stated that British East India Company could control tea trade in the colonies. The Price of tea went up tremendously. One day, a group of men disguised as Indians boarded 3 ships loaded with British tea and poured the tea into the Boston Harbor. This was known as the Boston Tea