Causes of the American Revolution pt. 1

Definition of Mercantilism...

• designed to take advantage of other countries and bankrupt them

• an economic policy that is designed to maximize the exports and minimize the imports for an economy

• colonies become more wealthy

• the mother country becomes more poor

How was Mercantilism implemented in the New World?

• England taxed the colonists to pay off the debt from previous wars

• The English colonies would import materials from England

• England established colonies to make a profit for themselves (the mother country)

• England expands its colonies to make peace with the Native Americans

The Navigation Acts...

• required colonists to use a map when navigating the oceans

• created a tax on all shipments going through English ports

• Required that ALL shipments had to go through English ports

• taxed all navigational items that colonists used

The French and Indian War...

• England forced the Native Americans to fight in the War

• England forced the colonists to fight in the war

• Colonists had a choices to fight in the war

• England forced the colonists pay the costs of the war (Taxes)

Albany Plan of Union (1754) ...

• led by Thomas Jefferson

• the 1st failed attempt at a united American government, there was nothing to unite the colonies

• Led by Thomas Edison

• Led by Ben Franklin

The Proclamation of 1763...

• made colonists happy bc they fought in F&I war for access to this land

• banned settlements East of the Appalacian Mountains

• England banned settlements West of the Appalachian Mountains to the end of the French and Indian War

• The Native Americans declared they would fight for England

Salutary Neglect...

• the British avoided strict enforcement of laws especially trade laws, as long as the colonies remained loyal and contributed to the economic growth of England

• avoided heavy taxes on the colonists as long as they created profit for the mother country

• Enforced trading laws on the colonists

• British failed to implement strict laws on how the colonists could create goods

What was the effect of salutary neglect from Britain?

• Colonists tried to overthrow the government

• Colonist developed their own governments and way of life

• Colonists trading flourished

• Britain lost its profits from the colonies

The Stamp Act...

• Tax on common goods:

• Magazines, Legal documents

• Paper, Stamps

• Cards, Licenses,

What was the effect of the Stamp Act?

• The Boston Tea Party

• colonists gladly paid more taxes

• Colonists decided to boycott (refuse to buy) British goods in response to the taxes