Reasons for Revolution

      America's first colonies were established for trade. Over time, the colonies spread and grew bigger. Immigrants came over in large numbers and settled into the growing settlements. The colonies developed into prosperous towns. As the colonies grew bigger, they drifted away from the English power. The British didn't like the situation. They were determined to keep the colonies under their power. In order to reestablish their authority, they passed the Sugar Act. The Sugar Act was meant to suppress the widespread smuggling of molasses. The Currency Act was passed as well. The Currency Act restricted the colonies from making paper money. Hard money was scarce, so the economy fell. Later, the Stamp Act was passed. The Stamp Act required all paper goods to be stamped by the British. The colonists did not like all of these new taxes. The colonists knew that the British were trying to regain their authority over the colonies. The colonists believed they were being treated unfairly. They were being taxed without have a representation in Parliament. Since they had no representatives, the colonists believed the taxes were unfair. Parliament then passes the Proclamation of 1763. It does not allow the colonies to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. This, again, angered the colonies because they wanted to expand west. The colonists were also forced to house British troops. It was not easy for the colonists to house them because it required money, and they gained nothing in return. At the Boston Massacre, British soldiers fired at colonists. The colonists' anger is building and building. All of these events led to the American Revolution. They finally gave up dealing with the British. They fought back.