American Revolution Causes

Causes of the American Revolution

The American Revolution in 1776 was caused by different factors. The legacy of political and religious ideas, Parliamentary Taxation, British military measures and the restriction of liberty were part of the causes. Some may say that one of these is more important than the rest. However, each one of them influenced differently but with the same significance. Therefore, the causes that led the Americans to rebel against England went from all the taxes stated to their beliefs and ideals.

British treatment after the Seven Years’ War was described as Benign Neglect or Salutary Neglect. During this period, England didn’t interfere that often in colonial affairs. This sensation of independence was the spark that later exploded into revolutionary feelings. Between the 1730s and 1760s, the colonies went through a period of religious complications. The crown desired to impose the Anglican Church, which caused conflicts in the colonies because they wanted their freedom of religion. Even though some colonies were Anglican, they were angry because the church served the crown. Additionally, colonists like Benjamin Franklin started to follow the ideas of Enlightenment, that consisted in education and government.

Due to all the money invested in the French and Indian war, George III needed to pay their debt; therefore they decided to imply taxes in the colonies. The first tax was the Sugar Act in 1764,which was followed by the Currency Act. With the Currency Act they restricted the emission of paper money in the colonies, this affected the economies on both the South and the North causing the colonists to join against the British for the first time. In 1765, the most important act was passed: the Stamp Act. It was the first direct tax, all printed materials had to pay a tax. This act affected the intellectual class as well as the poor one, so both classes were fighting against the crown. Because of the unfair and abusive taxes, James...