These punitive measures included the forced closure of Boston port and an order of compensation to the East India Company for damaged property. This expansion caused many conflicts between the British colonists, other European colonists and Native Americans. Great Britain never wanted to cause any, Historically, it is believed that the causes of large scale events and wars are often rooted in the outcomes of previous conflicts. It would be the Tories who got their way. It was the start of Americas war of independence. The news of this incident was spread throughout labeled as The Boston Massacre (Doc 4). This educational video is a visual version of this article and presented by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The intent was to normalize relations with the Indigenous peoples, many of whom fought with the French. 7 frames Reader view Immediate and Long term causes of the American Revolution and their impact on Georgia French and Indian war 1754-1763 Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776 This is the war when the British and their indian allies fought the French and their indian allies. Evry revolution is different but every revolution have one thing in common, one group of people is being oppressed by another. A series of events escalated tensions that culminated in America's war for independence. During the American Revolution there were a lot of long term and short term causes, including economic factors, english political legacy, and foreign policy. Causes The British Empire established colonies in the Americas. Another good example of how focused the British were on making money can be seen in the American Revolution. The American Revolution had both long-term origins and short-term causes. Image credit: Paul Revere, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. From the sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries, Spain was in control . Yet another provision protected British colonial officials who were charged with capital offenses from being tried in Massachusetts, instead requiring that they be sent to another colony or back to Great Britain for trial. Over time, the colonial authorities lost power over this as well because the judges were known to be chosen, paid, and supervised by the British government. This outraged the colonists but the British moved troops in the colonies. Please see our AI ethics and diversity policy for more information on how we use AI and select presenters on our website. Causes The bourgeoisie resented being excluded from positions of power. However, bad harvests - combined with the monarchy . However, many abused this power. No singleevent caused the revolution. These tax acts included the Sugar Act of 1764, the Quartering Act of 1765, and the Townshend Acts of 1767. ", The Freedoms and Restrictions of Location, Grievances That Led to Revolution and the Constitution. Ultimately, Benjamin Franklin convinced the British to rescind it, but that only made things worse. As historian Holger Hoock has written, the burning of Falmouth shocked General George Washington, who denounced it as exceeding in barbarity & cruelty every hostile act practiced among civilized nations.. Causes of the American Revolution - YouTube 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. The Native Americans, who were allied with the French, continued to battle after the peace had been obtained. The colonists took the proclamation of 1763 the wrong way because the colonists thought they had the right to expand. These duties caused outrage in the colonies and became the main root of spontaneous and violent opposition. Hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and subscriber rewards. 1 / 11. (2023, April 5). In Falmouth, where townspeople had to grab their possessions and flee for their lives, northerners had to face up to the fear that the British would do whatever they wanted to them, Randall says. Kelly, Martin. discuss the long term causes of the French Revolution | MyTutor The British Empire had imposed various restrictions on the colonial economies including limiting trade, settlement, and manufacturing. In fact, the most important immediate consequence of America declaring independence was the creation of written state constitutions in 1776 and 1777.These new state constitutions were based on the idea of "popular sovereignty", that is, the power and authority . The taxes also led colonists to smuggling items because they were getting taxed too much on items that they need. This displeased the Americans because it was very costly for them and they had no representation in parliament. A British officer called in additional soldiers, and they too were attacked, so the soldiers fired into the mob, killing 5. Historian Robert M. Calhoon estimated that only about 4045% of the free population supported the revolution, while about 1520% of the free white males remained loyal. . In an effort to quell the resistance, the British sent troops to occupy Boston, which only deepened the ill feeling. Two factors contributed to these failures. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The Americans did not favor this because this caused them to not make money from, The Boston Massacre took place on March 5th, 1770. In this section, we will look broadly at some of the long-term political, intellectual, cultural, and economic developments in the eighteenth century that set the context for the crisis of the 1760s and 1770s. As colonial economies grew, they quickly became an important market for British manufacturing exports. After 1763, the British began to increase and assert their power over the colonies, who, in contrast, wanted to be less controlled. Feeling underrepresented, overtaxed, and unable to engage in free trade, the colonists rallied to the slogan, "No Taxation Without Representation." There were numerous measures designed to ensure the colonial legislatures did not achieve autonomy, although many had nothing to do with the larger British Empire. It was, instead, a series of events that led to the war. Here are a few of the pivotal moments that led to the American Revolution. But perhaps the most provocative provision was the Quartering Act, which allowed British military officials to demand accommodations for their troops in unoccupied houses and buildings in towns, rather than having to stay out in the countryside. Great Britain told them what to do. This is the cause of the Boston Tea Party. It was inconvenient and costly to the colonists, and many also found it a traumatic experience after events like theBoston Massacre in 1770. Contrary to popular belief, the impact of American Revolution was not solely confined to the colonies and the British crown. With key but costly victories at Quebec and Fort Niagara, the British were able to emerge victorious from the war and henceforth assimilated large swathes of previously held French territory in Canada and the Mid-West as a result of the Treaty of Paris in 1763. They saw themselves as British subjects entitled to all the natural, essential, inherent, and inseparable rights of our fellow subjects in Great-Britain. The eighteenth century brought significant economic and demographic growth in the colonies. That made the Americans think they could push back against anything the British wanted, Randall says. Not only did these issues lead to war, but they also shaped the foundation of the United States of America. When the colonies finally wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776 as a reason for rebellion, they put the accusations for all they had complications with on King George III. Walpole believed this enhanced freedom would stimulate commerce. History Hit brings you the stories that shaped the world through our award winning podcast network and an online history channel. The act gave the company extended favorable treatment under tax regulations to sell tea at a price that undercut the American merchants who imported from Dutch traders. It should also be noted that this mindset was not that of the majority of colonists. For this purpose, I have increased my naval establishment, and greatly augmented my land forces, but in such a manner as may be the least burthensome to my kingdoms.. In the meantime, the First Continental Congress raised a militia, and in April 1775 the first shots of the war were fired as British troops clashed with militia men at the twin battles of Lexington and Concord. It consisted on limiting the American colonists to expand further west. While British victory had removed any French and Native Indian threat (to an extent) to the thirteen colonies, the war had led to greater economic hardship in the US and an acknowledgment of the cultural differences between colonists and Britons. Its cost was significant, and the British were determined to make up for the lack of funds. ThoughtCo, Apr. When American Revolution was over with the The Declaration of Independence came into place, treaties were signed, and the Bill of Rights. There was another problem; the taxes were imposed on many every-day items that the colonists used. The Parliament Acts that were passed from 1763-1775, left the American colonies with two choices to break away from their mother country and become independent or obey the ridiculous Parliament Acts and forever be bullied by the British government. The bloody encounter proved to the British that the colonists were fearsome foes who had to be taken seriously. The British government had a chance to make important political concessions to these disgruntled voices, yet they chose not to, and with this decision, the opportunity to avert rebellion was lost. (Show more) Key People: These events included bloodshed by others, peoples rights werent enforced, individuals didnt receive freedom, and our country was just not yet whole. Parliament again tried to assert its authority by passing legislation to tax goods that the Americans imported from Great Britain. This later affected the Americans, causing them land that could no longer be purchased from the Indians. From then on, officers accused of any offense in the colonies would be sent to England for trial. Long-Term Causes of American Revolution. After the British won the war, they gained possession of France's North American territories east of the Mississippi River. What Are The Long Term Causes Of The American Revolution Colonial political culture drew inspiration from the country party in Britain. There was a patriot mob who were throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks at British soldiers. One might argue that independence was always on the horizon in this period for North America, yet even in an era of enlightenment the British seemed, through sheer ignorance, negligence and pride, to seal their own fate. British officials and soldiers were given more control over the colonists and this led to widespread corruption. George Whitefield, an enigmatic, itinerant preacher, traveled the colonies preaching Calvinist sermons to huge crowds. Many factors played a role in the colonists' desires to fight for their independence. Martin Kelly, M.A., is a history teacher and curriculum developer. ThoughtCo. The Root Causes of the American Revolution - ThoughtCo When one looks at all the revolutions the earth there are many differences. The Boston Massacre was a street fight that occurred on March 5 1770. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. The Sugar Act enraged the colonists because the colonists believed that it violated their rights. After such a speech, the Whig position was silenced and a full-scale war was inevitable. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/causes-of-the-american-revolution-104860. Revisiting Cleopatra: Screen Portrayals of the Iconic Pharaoh, Fanny Mendelssohn: A Musical Prodigy and Forgotten Legacy, Anne Bront: The Forgotten Sister Who Made a Mark on Victorian Literature, 10 Facts About Cecil B. DeMille: A Pioneer of Hollywoods Golden Age, The History of Americas First Commercial Railroad. Image credit: Hervey Smyth (1734-1811), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. They felt that theyd spent a lot of blood and treasure to protect the colonists from the Indians, and so they should pay their share.. Education would produce rational human beings capable of thinking for themselves and questioning authority rather than tacitly accepting tradition. Those included the Stamp Act, Molasses Act, Sugar Act, the Tea Act and others. The colonists didnt see it that way. The American Revolution had both long-term origins and short-term causes. A number of settlers had purchased land in the now forbidden area or had received land grants. Most of the long term causes were caused by the inequalities with Great Britain's colonies in America and Great Britain. And although the colonists were extremely taxed and had their natural rights imposed upon, the king was not always at fault. At the same time that Lockes ideas about knowledge and education spread in North America, the colonies also experienced an unprecedented wave of evangelical Protestant revivalism. In the 1740s, two seemingly conflicting bodies of thoughtthe Enlightenment and the Great Awakeningbegan to combine in the colonies and challenge older ideas about authority. Long Term Causes Of The American Revolution | ipl.org Seven Americans died, but other militiamen managed to stop the British . They argued that economic growth, not raising taxes, would solve the national debt. The Consequences of the American Revolution | US History I (AY Collection) First of all, parliament was the one that imposed them which made the colonists angry because they thought that they had to allow parliament to tax them. A group of colonists led by Adams hopped aboard the East India Company trade vessel Dartmouth and poured 342 chests of tea (worth close to $2,000,000 in todays currency) of British tea into the sea at Boston Harbour. Norfolk stirred up fears of a slave insurrection in the South, Randall says. A switch had been flicked. Together, these innovative ways of thinking led many in this era to consider it their duty to rebel against laws they viewed as unjust. Between the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the middle of the eighteenth century, Britain had largely failed to define the colonies relationship to the empire and institute a coherent program of imperial reform. The American Revolution was principally caused by colonial opposition to British attempts to impose greater control over the colonies and to make them repay the crown for its defense of them during the French and Indian War (1754-63). Short and Long term Causes of the French Revolution Colonists with disposable income and access to British markets attempted to mimic British culture. The British did not wish to see the thirteen colonies break away from their realm, yet their colonial policies in the late-18th century proved consistently disastrous, demonstrating a complete lack of empathy or common understanding with the American population. Thinly disguised as Mohawks, they boarded three ships in Boston harbor and destroyed more than 92,000 pounds of British tea by dumping it into the harbor. Because French government had yielded this land to Britain, didnt necessarily mean that the Ohio Valleys French peoples would give up their rights to land or trade, readily. Patriots would need to be ever vigilant against the rise of conspiracies, centralized control, and tyranny. Also, the involvements of Great Britain in the colonies of America were crossing over the line . Now these effects/events were amazing, it helped our country tremendously. The British ended up changing repealing the acts but only to replace it with the Declatory Act which gave them the right to enforce any legislation. Once I get done with that, I will then compare the causes to each other. When the Americans tried boycotting the English goods, Britain took military action. Most of the long term causes were caused by the inequalities with Great Britains colonies in America and Great Britain. The policies of Britain toward their American colonies over this time period escalated tension between the two, and finally led to the rejection of Royal power by the colonies. They each had paid 1,000 pounds sterlingthat would probably be about a million dollars nowfor a share of the company, to get a piece of the action from all this tea that they were going to force down the colonists throats. This conflict is embodied in one of the rallying cries of the American Revolution: No Taxation Without Representation., British leaders also felt the need to tighten control over their empire. But they left in place the tax on tea, and in 1773 enacted a new law, the Tea Act, to prop up the financially struggling British East India Company. During the Boston Massacre the colonies decided to take action and attack a group of british soldiers. The British policies caused this outcome because they threatened the colonists republican values. There were no pollsters during the American revolution, but it's safe to say its popularity rose and fell over the course of the war. By the middle of the eighteenth century, middling-class colonists could also afford items previously thought of as luxuries like British fashions, dining wares, and more. Nevertheless, the act of defiance really ticked off the British government, Randall explains. The main long term causes were based on the inequality between the Great Britain's colonies in America and Great Britain, such as the rights, declaratory acts, the intolerable acts, sugar act, the proclamation and taxation. Both Locke and Whitefield had empowered individuals to question authority and to take their lives into their own hands. His continual change in estate generals in 1789 displayed his desire to please the . Geographical distance between England and the New World played a great deal into the problems that they were having. The rules that were inflicted upon the Americans evoked many factors that were responsible for the American Revolution. This marked the beginning of the American Revolution., The British were very concerned about making money off the colonies. They would then transform these raw materials into manufactured goods, which would then be sold back to America for a hearty profit. British had gained Frances colonies in North america as a result of the french and Indian war and were seeking to take over the American colonies both politically and economically. Whitefield told his listeners that salvation could only be found by taking personal responsibility for ones own unmediated relationship with God, a process that came to be known as a conversion experience. He's the co-author (with Martin J. Smith) of Poplorica: A Popular History of the Fads, Mavericks, Inventions, and Lore that Shaped Modern America. On the left is a photo of what the stamp looks like during the time of the Stamp Act. This event had a major influence on the colonists. New land for Britain: colonists moved into backcountry, overlapping land claims created conflicts between colonies that Britain had to solve. Google Classroom A high-level overview of the American Revolution. Long-Term Causes of American Revolution Flashcards | Quizlet The Root Causes of the American Revolution. During the American Revolution there were a lot of long term and short term causes, including economic factors, english political legacy, and foreign policy. Perhaps no single philosopher had a greater impact on colonial thinking than John Locke. The colonies declared independence on July 4, 1776. Colonists in the thirteen american colonies had disagreements with the british monarchy and aristocracy. Colonists didn't just take up arms against the British out of the blue. The Proclamation of 1763 played its own role. Basically, the British had set up a very economically beneficial system for themselves. In his wake, new traveling preachers picked up his message and many congregations split. Town meetings were now also banned, and the authority of the royal governor was increased. In 1761, Boston lawyer James Otis fought for the constitutional rights of the colonists in this matter but lost.