American Revolution Causes of the American Revolution The

American Revolution

Causes of the American Revolution The 13 English Colonies • Part of British global trade • Mercantilist policies • Navigation Acts: regulated colonial trade • Colonists felt entitled to the rights of English citizens Growing Discontent Early Clashes

The 13 English Colonies Growing Discontent • Part of British • French and Indian War drained British treasury. • Britain passed and enforced new tax law on the colonists • “No taxation without representation. ” global trade • Mercantilist policies • Navigation Acts: regulated colonial trade • Colonists felt entitled to the rights of English citizens Early Clashes

The 13 English Colonies Growing Discontent Early Clashes • Part of British • French and Indian War drained British treasury. • Britain passed and enforced new tax law on the colonists • “No taxation without representation. ” • Boston Massacre • Boston Tea Party • Punitive laws passed by British to punish colonists • Continental Congress with representatives from all 13 colonies global trade • Mercantilist policies • Navigation Acts: regulated colonial trade • Colonists felt entitled to the rights of English citizens

Separation Of Powers Checks & Balances Gov’t’s power comes from the people Enlightenment Ideas Checks & Balances People have natural rights to life, liberty and property US Constitution Separation of three branches of gov’t Gov’t’s authority comes from people Guaranteed Individual Rights

French Revolution

Key Terms: • bourgeoisie – In French society – the middle class • deficit spending – situation in which a government spends more money than it takes in

Three Estates in Old Regime: � First estate = Catholic Clergy � Second � Third estate = Nobility estate = Diverse group › (bourgeoisie, laborers, peasants)

Which estate is represented by the man under the stone? What is the picture saying about this estate?

Louis XIV – The Sun King (1643 -1715) • Created extensive military • Built Versailles • Left France deeply in debt

Louis XV: 1715 -1774 � Continued deficit spending � Taxed the third Estate unmercifully

Louis XVI – The Last King 1774 -1793 • Inherited a huge economic crisis • Third Estate objected to unfair conditions and demanded reform

Versailles

The Revolution Begins - 1789 � Declaration � Modeled of the Rights of Man & Citizen after American Declaration › Freedom of religion › Taxed according to ability to pay �A � new constitution created. Royal family attempts to flee to Austria. › Captured and imprisoned in Paris.

Marie Antoinette “Madam Deficit” • Had little understanding of the conditions of the lower classes

Causes of the French Revolution Long Term Causes: • Enlightenment ideas—liberty and equality • Example furnished by the American Revolution • Social and economic injustices of the Old Regime Immediate Causes: • Economic crisis—famine and government debt • Weak leadership • Discontent of the Third Estate