Revolution, Cause, And The Causes Of The American Revolution

The Americans officially declared their Independence on July 4, 1776, but the seeds of the rebellion were planted three years earlier. (C&G 118) The American Revolution was primarily caused by the Proclamation of 1763, the Tax Acts, and the Coercive Acts. Until 1763, America had been, for the most part, free from English rule. Thus, the Americans were furious when England endeavored to increase its power over the States. The Americans believed that since they were not permitted to choose who would represent them in Parliament, England was unjust in enforcing taxes and laws on them. The tension between England and the States increased and eventually, violence broke out between them. The American Revolution was caused by the attempts of the English Government to gain control over the states.

After the French and Indian War in 1763, the price of financing the colonies soared to £350,000 a year. (C&G 95) Although England was pouring a vast amount of money into colonizing

(C&G 99) After the French and Indian War had ended, the English and Americans decided to focus their efforts on driving the Native Americans out of the Appalachians so that they could settle there. The Indians, however, would not give up their territory willingly. Pontiac, an Ottawa chief, led the Indian tribes in an effort to force the colonists back over the Mountains. Although Pontiac did not succeed, the English Government passed the Proclamation of 1763, which made it illegal to colonize the land west of the Appalachians. To the English, this seemed like the perfect solution. Not only did the Proclamation prevent clashes between the Americans and the Indians, it also helped to halt the expansion of the colonies, thereby saving money that would have been spent on colonizing the land. The closing of the Appalachians caused great resentment among the Americans, but the Sugar Act sparked still