What were the reasons for the american revolution?

Question

Details please, not JUST the big picture.

Answer 1

Many of the Revolution's causes are easiest to understand in terms of CHANGES in relationship between Britain and her colonies after the French & Indian War, esp. in the POLICIES Britain sought to carry out. Some focus on the political changes, others on the economic changes, but in fact these two --and others-- are intertwined and part of a larger picture

BEFORE the war: Policy of "salutary neglect" of 17th century
1) Taxes & Government:
a) system of taxes (duties) and demand to trade ONLY with mother country not well-enforced
b) related to this, a whole economy (including much smuggling, i.e., really free trade with other countries) grows up
c) colonists allowed to deal with local issues through their own legislatures & courts (including taxation to support royal officials, esp. governors)

2) Frontier:
a) French (with their Indian allies) a threat to colonists, British protection clearly needed
b) colonists free to expand, settle western lands across the Appalachian mountains

AFTER the War
1a) Britain seeks to collect taxes, esp. to pay down their war debts & to finance continued protection of the colonies... the colonies rebel vs. such acts as the Stamp Act and Townshend
1b) enforcement thwarts "free trade" with other countries (seriously impeding the colonial economy)
1c) connected with the tax legislation is the claim that PARLIAMENT has the absolute right to tax the colonies... not allowing the colonies themselves to handle it

2a) French no longer present as a threat, colonists confident of the ability of their own militias based on how they perceived their role/success in the War
2b) The Proclamation Act of 1763 -- forbids colonists from settling across the Appalachians (which would relieve the British of having to monitor border affairs, try to appease the Indians, etc)

The tax and govt issue culminates in the refusal of the colonies to buy East India Company Tea as demanded by the British --and so to the "Boston Tea Party" (when the British insist on landing the tea)... AND the resulting punitive actions by Britain called the "Coercive Acts" (but the "Intolerable Acts" to the colonists). These include closing Boston Harbor (till the tea is paid for), taking much of the local govt of Massachusetts out of the hands of the people and putting it in royal hands.. e.g., court cases not to be heard locally but taken to England, royal governor now to be paid directly by the British govt, not the colony, suspension of the local legislature.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intolerable_Acts
http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/resolves.htm
http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-prel.htm


Thus to the colonists ALL their usual "rights as Englishmen" --to govern their own affairs, to trial by jury of their peers (local, etc.-- are being taken away.

A helpful perspective on this may be found by comparing the English "Bill of Rights 1689" with its complaints against James II (as a basis for Parliament's removing him) and the complaints listed in the Declaration of Independence.

Bill of Rights 1689
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/england.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_of_Rights_1689

Declaration of Independence ("indictment" section):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence#Indictment

Answer 2

Technically, armed riot was once treason in opposition to the reputable executive of King George. Essentially, the American Colonists desired to "secede" from the British. Really no longer a lot extraordinary from the Southern United States short of to secede from the Union, Federal Government in the course of the Civil War. In the primary case, the rebels gained and we referred to as it a revolution for freedom. In the moment case, the Union gained and we referred to as it an unlawful riot. Remember, it's the winners who write historical past.

Answer 3

unfair taxes, unfair representation in government, and among other things the British policy of pretty much stealing from the colonies to better life in Britain

Answer 4

taxation without representation

Answer 5

http://www.schonwalder.org/USPresidents/to_all_AmRev.htm