Causes of the Revolutionary War DBQ

Many things happened after the French and Indian War

that caused the colonist to want their independence
from Great Britain (England).

Question: Was it necessary and right for the

colonists to break from British rule? Think about
the events that caused the colonies to want
to break from English rule and gain
independence?
Document 1:
Boston Tea Party 1773: As a protest against a tax placed on imported tea
by the British crown, a group of American colonists, led by Samuel
Adams, staged the Boston Tea Party. On December 16, 1773, the
colonists, some dressed as Native Americans, boarded three British ships
and dumped 90,000 pounds of tea into Boston Harbor.

1. What is going on in the picture?

2. Based on your knowledge of the Tea Act, did the American
colonist have a right to protest like they did?
 Document 2: Some Causes of the American
Revolution
“Trade Laws” “Stamp Act”

“Townshend
Act”

“Intolerable Acts”
“Workin
g to
pay for
Englan
d’s war
against
France”

3. Which country “passed” the four “acts” or laws to tax the

colonists?
4. According to the cartoon, what were these taxes for?
5. Why then do you think the colonists were angry and unhappy
with the King of England?

Document 3:
This excerpt is from "Considerations . . .," a pamphlet written by Tomas
Whately. Whately was an advisor to George Grenville, British Chancellor
of the Exchequer (1763-1765) and the author of the Stamp Act. In this
pamphlet, Whately explained why the British were justified in placing
taxes on their American colonists.

We are not yet recovered from a War [French and Indian War] [fought] for
their [the American colonists’] Protection . . . a War undertaken for their
defense only . . . they should contribute to the Preservation of the
Advantages they have received . . ."

6. Why did Whately (and probably most other British officials)

feel that the American colonists should be willing to pay higher taxes
to Britain?

Document 4:
This excerpt is from Thomas Paine’s, Common Sense (1776), a pamphlet
that was influential in gaining support for the Revolution. In it, Paine
explains why he believed it was necessary for the American colonies to
gain their independence from Great Britain.

“But the injuries and disadvantages we [receive] by that

connection [to Great Britain], are [very many]; . . . any
submission to, or dependence on Great Britain, [will]
directly . . . involve [America] in European wars and quarrels;
and [makes us enemies] with nations, who would otherwise
seek our friendship, and against whom, we have neither anger
nor complaint.”

7. According to Paine, how did America suffer from its connection with
Britain?

Document 5
 The bar on the left
(British taxes) shows
how much the British
paid in taxes each year.
The one on the right
(Colonial taxes) shows
how much the Colonists
paid in taxes each year.
8. How might a British representative or supporter of England use the
information from the chart above in defense against the complaints of the
colonists?

Document 6: The Boston Massacre

The Boston Massacre was not a massacre but a dispute between a mob
and a squad of British soldiers that ended with the deaths of five
American colonists.

 This picture depicts events at

the Boston Massacre.
9. Who are the people on the left,
shooting?
10. Who are the people on the
right, lying dead or running?

11. Which side, the colonists or

Document 7: These excerpts are from "The Declaration of

Independence”, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The
Declaration of Independence was the document in which American
colonists proclaimed their freedom from England. The document gave
reasons for declaring their independence from England.

“ The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of

repeated injuries and usurpations [unlawful acts], all [aimed at]
the establishment of an absolute Tyranny [i.e. abuse of power]
over these States.

In every stage of these [unfair and illegal actions by the King]

We have [asked for help in dealing with this situation] in the
most humble terms. Our repeated [requests for help] have
been answered only by repeated [abuses]. A Prince, whose
character is [so abusive of his power], is unfit to be the ruler of
a free people.”

12. How does this document describe the British King, George III?

13. Was the Declaration an unbiased, fair look at the conflict between the
colonists and Britain? Explain.
Document 8: "Bringing Down the Statue of King George in New York" by unknown
artist
 On July 9, 1776, the
Declaration of
Independence was read
to a group of American
patriots in New York
City. Later that night, a
statue of the British
king, King George III,
was pulled off its
pedestal and smashed.
Pieces of the statue
were melted down and
cast into tens of
thousands of bullets to
be used against the
14. What is going on in this picture? British Army. The

15. Why were they doing this?

16. What was meant by “melted Majesty”?