The Road to Revolution

1763-1775

What were the reasons for the Revolution?

• What were the reasons for the Revolution?

• Social? Political? Economic?

• Often mercantilism is cited-was it a reason?

Greenville’s Program

• George Greenville was the British Prime Minister-he had to resolve the financial crisis.

• Greenville’s Program:

• End of Salutary Neglect-not to let the colonies do whatever they wanted to do, they needed to be managed and taxed.

• Cost of the Peace-in addition to the war, the British stationed about 10K additional troops in the colonies and royal and tax officials, these people needed to be paid for.

• Greenville’s offer-explained that the colonies owed a share of the debt from the war, and that they could pay as much as they could afford and tax themselves.

Colonial Response to Greenville

•Rejection

•Colonists said that it was the job of the British empire to protect the people of

the Empire. Why should we pay more?

Sugar Act, 1764

• Also known as the Revenue Act.

• Reduced the price of French sugar, but added items to the list that could only be sent to England.

• Colonial reaction was somewhat mild few people were buying French Molasses, and those who did not agree

with the shipping standards could just evade them as

they had always done.

Stamp Act, 1765

• Already in place in England

• It forced all documents, newspapers, almanacs, legal documents, college

diplomas, playing cards, liquor license, and

dice, to be taxed. It was like a sales receipt.

• Parliament planned on keeping the revenue in a separate account used only

for the colonies.

Colonial Reaction to the Stamp Act

• Patrick Henry and Virginia Resolves

• “No taxation without representation”

• Stamp Act Riots

• John Adams

• Stamp Act Congress

• Sons of Liberty

• Sam Adams

British Response to the Colonial Response

• Repeal- 1766

• William Pitt

• John Hancock

• Declaratory Act-1