Causes of the American Revolution
As of 1763, the British Empire was the most successful empire in the world. Despite this fact, the thirteen colonies of British North America, decided to courageously revolt against the mother country. This decision left the British, as well as many Americans, wondering why they would want to break from and go against such a triumphant empire. Many factors lead up to the revolt such as "differences in life, thought, and interests [that] had developed between the mother country and the growing colonies." While "local political institutions and practice diverged significantly from English ways," conflicts arose in factors involving customs, religion and the economy. The American Revolution was also greatly influenced by the Stamp Act of 1765, the Declatory Act of 1766, the Quartering Acts of 1765-66, and the Townshend Acts of 1767, The Tea Act in 1773, and the Coercive or "Intolerable" Acts of 1774. In 1761, James Otis issued a protest to the Writs of Assistance. The Writs of Assistance were general search warrants that empowered customs officials to search without a "probable cause" any time they suspected the presence
The Townshend Acts were passed in 1767 by Charles Townshed, who took over for the popular William Pitt. This new act brought upon new import duties that were partially used to pay the salaries of colonial governors. This ended dependence on colonial legislatures and took control away from the colonists. The Acts taxed tea, paper, paint, lead, and authorized the Writs of Assistance. The Sons of Liberty again arranged boycotts of English goods and some merchants resisted this movement. Conflicts within the colonies were arising as well. All of these duties were repealed, with the exception of the tax on tea, which was kept as a token of Parliament's right to tax. The Stamp Act was passed in 1765 and created the first direct tax ever levied on colonists. The act required that stamps be placed on all public documents, everything from property deeds to newspapers to playing cards, and had to be paid in currency, which was very scarce in America. This act sparked mini-revolts in which the New York City merchants vowed to cease importation of British goods and 2000 citizens surrounded the fort where stamps were stored and plundered a British officer's house. Amer
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Approximate Word count = 789
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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