Causes of the War of Independence Flashcards

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Why did Britain want tight control over trade with the American colonies before 1775?

Britain wanted the colonies to buy British goods and sell raw materials to Britain only, so that Britain grew rich from trade and taxes.

How did the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763) help cause the War of Independence?

The war left Britain with huge debts, so Parliament raised taxes in the colonies and kept troops there, which made many colonists angry.

What did colonists mean by the phrase “no taxation without representation”?

They meant that Parliament should not tax them because they had no MPs in it to speak or vote for them.

What was the Stamp Act (1765) and why did it anger many colonists?

It was a tax on paper items like newspapers and legal documents. Colonists saw it as an unfair direct tax put on them without their consent.

What were the Townshend Duties (1767) and how did colonists respond?

They were taxes on imports like glass, paint and tea. Many colonists boycotted British goods and tried to make their own instead.

What happened at the Boston Massacre in 1770 and why was it important?

British soldiers shot and killed several colonists in Boston. Patriots used the event as propaganda to spread hatred of British rule.

Why did the Tea Act (1773) and the Boston Tea Party increase tensions?

The Tea Act gave the East India Company a tea monopoly and kept a small tax. In protest, colonists in Boston threw tea into the harbour, which led Britain to punish them harshly.

What were the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts of 1774 and how did they help cause war?

They closed Boston’s port and cut back self-government in Massachusetts. Many colonists saw them as cruel and united against Britain.

What was the First Continental Congress (1774) and why was it a step towards war?

It was a meeting of delegates from most colonies. They agreed to support Massachusetts, boycott British trade and prepare militias, which brought the colonies closer to open conflict.

What happened at Lexington and Concord in April 1775 and why did it start the war?

British troops tried to seize colonial weapons. Fighting broke out with local militias, and the “shot heard ’round the world” marked the start of the War of Independence.

How did ideas about liberty and rights help cause the War of Independence?

Enlightenment ideas said people had natural rights and that rulers must respect them. Many colonists felt British rule broke these rights, so they began to demand change.

How did a growing American identity increase tension with Britain?

Over time, many colonists saw themselves as Americans, not just British. They were used to running their own affairs and resented new attempts by Britain to control them.

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