Causes of the American Revolution

1. Albany Plan of Union: The French and Indian War saw the first attempt to unite the Colonies in Benjamin Franklin's Albany Plan of Union (although this plan did not gain support at the time); Franklin's famous 'JOIN or DIE' cartoon is born around the same time as well. The end of the war left the British deeply in debt and demanding more revenue (through the form of taxes, Navigation Acts, and mercantilism) from the colonies. With the defeat of the French, the colonies became less dependent on Britain for protection.

2. Taxation without representation: The British imposed several new laws and acts in the Colonies to pay for debt caused by the French and Indian War. These acts include the Proclamation of 1763, the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, the Currency Act, and the Townshend Acts. Accordingly, Samuel Adams would organize the Committees of Correspondence in an effort to spread propaganda and information (through letters and papers) on the newly enforced laws. The Stamp Act congress and Sons and Daughters of Liberty would also form in retaliation to the new laws.

3. Boston Massacre: In 1770, the colonists and British soldiers openly clashed in Boston. With five colonists having lost their lives (during the confrontation), the British opted to immediately repeal several acts in an attempt assuage the situation. However, the Tea Act, one of the few acts that remained, angered a large portion of the Colonial People.

4. Boston Tea Party: In protest to the British tax on tea, a group of colonists disguised as Indians boarded three British ships and dumped nearly a million dollars worth of British into Boston Harbor. The Intolerable Acts were passed in response to the Boston Tea Party; they placed restrictions on the colonists including outlawing town meetings and the closing of Boston Harbor.

5. First Continental Congress: In response to the Intolerable Acts, 12 of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia from September-October, 1774. Here they created the Declaration of Rights and Grievances, which King George III ignored.

6. Lexington and Concord: British troops were ordered to Lexington and Concord to seize stores of colonial gunpowder; albeit, Paul Revere's Midnight Ride warned the colonists before the arrival of British soldiers. At Lexington, open conflict occurred and eight Americans were killed. At Concord, the British troops were forced to retreat with the loss of 70 men. This was the first instance of open warfare.