Causes of the American Revolution

• social studies

Causes of the American Revolution

POLL: How much do you already know about the events that led to the American Revolution?

I know a lot.

I know some

I don't know much.

Essential Question

What significant events led to the American Revolution?

Part I: Engage and Explore

In this lesson, we will visit some landmarks of the American Revolution and make some inferences and predictions. 

A Revolutionary Event

On the next slide, you will visit an area in which a well-known event occurred that played a part in leading up to the American Revolution. 

As you explore, think about where you think you might be. HINT: you are in a city in Massachusetts. 

The Boston Tea Party

In 1773, Great Britain passed the Tea Act, which forced the British Colonies in America to purchase their tea from Britain only. This was yet another act in a series of laws that levied taxes and imposed restrictions on colonists. 

To show their discontent, a group of revolutionaries boarded a ship that was delivering British tea to Boston Harbor and threw tea overboard. 

Do you know anything else about the Boston Tea Party? How do you think Britain may have reacted to this rebellion? On the next slide, you will share your predictions. 

How do you think Britain reacted to the Boston Tea Party? Share your thoughts below.

A Memorial to the American Revolution

Many monuments and memorials are dedicated to remembering the American Revolution. On the next slide, you will visit the Bunker Hill monument, which commemorates the first major battle of the Revolutionary War. 

As you watch, think about why we have such a large monument to recognize the first battle of the Revolutionary War. What do you think led to this first battle? Why do we remember it today? What would you like to know about the events that caused it?

In the box below, write at least one factor that you think led to the start of the Revolutionary War and at least one thing you would like to learn about it.

Part II: Explain and Elaborate! 

In this lesson, we will visit some landmarks of the American Revolution and make some inferences and predictions. 

A Timeline

The timeline to the right shows some key events that led to the American Revolution. All of the acts you see on the timeline have something in common: they all imposed taxes on the colonists. 

The British Empire needed a source of money tp ay its debts after the costly French and Indian War, and taxing the Colonists was one way to help with  this effort. However, many colonists believed that this taxation was unfair. 

The Stamp Act & The Stamp Act Congress

After the Sugar Act of 1864, which placed taxes on items such as sugar and molasses, the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1865. Disgruntled colonists gathered, and began to organize acts of rebellion, such as organized boycotts.  

Match the term with its definition: Boycott

1. The act of protesting by refusing to buy or use something.
2. A law passed by the British Parliament that levied taxes on British-stamped printed materials in the colonies.
3. A war for land control between Great Britain and France that left Britain in debt.
4. None of the above.

Match the term with its definition: The Stamp Act

1. The act of protesting by refusing to buy or use something.
2. A law passed by the British Parliament that levied taxes on British-stamped printed materials in the colonies.
3. A war for land control between Great Britain and France that left Britain in debt.
4. None of the above.

Match the term with its definition: French and Indian War

1. The act of protesting by refusing to buy or use something.
2. A law passed by the British Parliament that levied taxes on British-stamped printed materials in the colonies.
3. A war for land control between Great Britain and France that left Britain in debt.
4. None of the above.

The Townshend Acts & the Boston Massacre

Though boycotts resulted in Britain repealing the Stamp Act in 1766, they immediately passed a new series of acts that levied another set of taxes on the colonists. The tensions between the colonist and the British Empire erupted in 1770 in the Boston Massacre. 

Who was Crispus Attucks?

1. A black man killed in the Boston Massacre
2. The leader of the Redcoats who patrolled Boston
3. The first victim of the American Revolution.
4. None of the above.

The Townshend Acts & the Boston Massacre

One of the best-known events leading up to the American Revolution is the Boston Tea Party. On the next slide, you will watch a video about this episode of American history. 

In your own words, how would you explain the Boston Tea Party to a friend who doesn't know much about that time in history?

Impact on the Future United States

The events that led up to the Revolution not only led to armed conflict, but also played a role in the new nation that was formed as a result of the Revolution. From the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution, the writers of these documents did not forget about the abuses of the king of England, King George III. On the next slide, you will watch a video about this episode of American history. 

https:

Copy any of the "abuses" that you think are related to something you learned about, and indicate what you think it is referring to.

Part III: Evaluate

We will evaluate what we learned about the causes of the American Revolution. 

Which of the following are true about the Stamp Act Congress?

1. It was a gathering of colonists in response to the Stamp Act.
2. It banned the import of British tea.
3. It was there that Samuel Adams formed the Sons of Liberty.
4. It was there that the first version of the Declaration of Independence was drafted.

Which of the following lists events in the correct order?

1. Stamp Act, Boston Tea Party, Boston Massacre, Declaration of Independence.
2. Boston Tea Party, Declaration of Independence, Stamp Act, Boston Massacre.
3. Stamp Act, Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, Declaration of Independence.
4. None of the above.

True or False: The Townshend Acts were a direct response by the British government to the Boston Tea Party.

1. True
2. False

Create your own timeline of the events that led to the American Revolution. Pick four events that you think are most important and add a few words to describe the immediate consequences of each one.

How confident do you feel in your ability to explain some of the causes of the American Revolution?

Very Confident

Somewhat Condifent

Not Confident

What is the most interesting or surprising thing you learned