American+RevolutionA1S69

You can do all of the above....or answer the question below: Was the American Revolution really a revolution? The definition of REVOLUTION-an overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed. EVENTS LEADING UP TO REVOLUTIONARY WAR
 * The Sugar Act


 * The Stamp Act


 * Townshend Acts


 * The Boston Tea Party

Script: Ryan: We think that it was a revolution because the people of the 13 colonies wanted to overthrow the British government and like the definition says, a revolution is to overthrow an established government by those who are being governed. The Patriots wanted to try to overthrow the British because the British had put unfair taxes on them like refined sugar, coffee, indigo, and certain kinds of wine. That was the Sugar Act. During the Stamp Act every legal document had to have a British seal on it and they had to pay for the stamp unlike in Great Britain. The Patriots responded to this with force like tar and feathering tax officials who collect money. During the Townshend Acts they placed new taxes on glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea. The reaction to the taxes were the same as the ones for the Sugar and Stamp Act. Finally after enough of a beating, Britain eventually repealed the taxes except on the tea. Then, a major event that sparked the Patriots hatred was the Boston Massacre. One night, many people stood outside while about 9 Redcoats defended the building. The colonists had been protesting and somewhat taunting the guards. Some men were reported to actually have had thrown rocks and sticks at the guards when finally, the guards sprayed a few shots and 5 civilians were found dead. Alex:Eventually, after a long time protesting against the Tea Act, a large group of Patriots disguised themselves as Native Americans and assertively threw about 342 crates overboard. They finally made their point about the Tea Acts. This told the British that the Patriots would use force if necessary but no matter what; would fight for their freedom, their land, and their country. The colonists also had no representation in parliament which struck a new chord. The British technically couldn't make laws for the colonists because the colonists didn't have any representatives in Parliament so no one really knew what they wanted or needed and the officials in Great Britain somehow had the power to control them. So by putting the various acts into effect, the British members of Parliament were actually committing a crime themselves. Now I could easily understand why the colonists were so angry. Not only were unfair tax being put on them, but they didn't even have a say in them. This basically denied the colonists right to live the way they wanted and even have a say in what happened. In the end the English Colonists wanted to stand up for themselves and do what they needed for themselves. In order to live in at least decent conditions, the colonists had to overthrow the British rule on them and that is what they did making this war a revolution.

Sites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_taxation_without_representation http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/bostonteapartydef.htm http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/bostonmassacredef.htm http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/townshendactsdef.htm http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/stampactdef.htm http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/sugaractdef.htm