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Line 23: − * [[Boston Tea Party]], 1773. Destruction of the hated tea caused the British to try to crush the American spirit+ − + + − + + + + + + + + + + + +
→Causes: expand
[[Image:american-revolution-map.gif|thumb|200px|The 13 colonies in 1775]]
[[Image:american-revolution-map.gif|thumb|200px|The 13 colonies in 1775]]
==Causes==
==Causes==
===Acts of Parliament===
* [[Republicanism]], the basic political values of the Patriots--and Americans today
Parliament had generally been preoccupied with affairs in Europe and let the colonies govern themselves. It was no longer willing to do so. A series of measures resulting from this policy change, while affecting the New England colonies most directly would continue to arouse opposition in the 'thirteen colonies' over the next thirteen years, leading to the Revolution:
*[[Sugar Act]] (1764)
* [[Stamp Act of 1765]], the British asserted power to tax without representation; foiled by bold American reaction
* [[Stamp Act of 1765]], the British asserted power to tax without representation; foiled by bold American reaction
* [[Townshend Acts]], 1767, more taxes imposed because the British insisted they could tax the Americans any time and any way
* First [[Quartering Act]] (1765)
*[[Declaratory Act]] (1766)
* [[Townshend Acts]] (1767), more taxes imposed because the British insisted they could tax the Americans any time and any way
* [[Boston Tea Party]] (1773). Patriots destroy the tea (hated because it had a tax) causing the British to try to crush the patriot spirit
* The [[Intolerable Acts]], also called the ''Coercive'' or ''Punitive'' Acts
** Second [[Quartering Act]] (1774)
**[[Quebec Act]] (1774)
**[[Massachusetts Government Act]] (1774)
**[[Administration of Justice Act]] (1774)
**[[Boston Port Act]] (1774)
*[[Prohibitory Act]] (1776)
===Republicanism as the cause of the Revolution===
===Republicanism as the cause of the Revolution===
In a larger sense the tax issue was part of the representation question, which was increasingly defined by Americans as an issue of republicanism. The commitment of most Americans to republican values caused the Revolution, for Britain was increasingly seen as corrupt and hostile to republicanism, and a threat to the established liberties that Americans enjoyed.<ref> Bernard Bailyn, '' The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution'' (1967)</ref> The greatest threat to liberty was increasingly seen as "corruption"--not just in London but at home as well. The colonists associated it with luxury, Royal appointees not answerable to the people, a standing army, unnecessary taxes, and, ultimately, an system of rule by an inherited aristocracy.
In a larger sense the tax issue was part of the representation question, which was increasingly defined by Americans as an issue of republicanism. The commitment of most Americans to republican values caused the Revolution, for Britain was increasingly seen as corrupt and hostile to republicanism, and a threat to the established liberties that Americans enjoyed.<ref> Bernard Bailyn, '' The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution'' (1967)</ref> The greatest threat to liberty was increasingly seen as "corruption"--not just in London but at home as well. The colonists associated it with luxury, Royal appointees not answerable to the people, a standing army, unnecessary taxes, and, ultimately, an system of rule by an inherited aristocracy.