FAQ About History for History Students

The American Revolutionary War, which took place from 1775 to 1783, was a conflict between Great Britain and its thirteen North American colonies, which sought independence and established the United States of America. The main causes of the American Revolutionary War were as follows:

• Taxation without Representation: The colonies had long been subject to British taxation, but they did not have direct representation in the British Parliament. This lack of representation led to grievances among the colonists, who believed that they were being taxed without their consent, violating the principle of "no taxation without representation."
• Colonial Grievances: The colonies had various grievances against British policies and practices. These included the imposition of taxes such as the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act, restrictions on trade, the presence of British troops in the colonies, and the enforcement of the Intolerable Acts following the Boston Tea Party. These actions were seen as infringements on colonial rights and autonomy.
• Enlightenment Ideas and Political Philosophy: The Enlightenment, an intellectual movement that emphasized reason, individual rights, and limited government, had a significant influence on American colonists. Ideas from Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Thomas Paine, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau inspired concepts of natural rights, social contract theory, and the right to rebel against oppressive governments.
• Spread of Revolutionary Ideas: The American colonists were exposed to revolutionary ideas and movements in Europe, such as the Glorious Revolution in England and the Enlightenment philosophers' writings. These ideas of self-government, liberty, and resistance to tyranny influenced the colonists' aspirations for independence and their perception of their relationship with Britain.
• Acts of Resistance and Protests: Colonists engaged in acts of resistance and protests against British policies. Examples include the Boston Tea Party, where colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act, and the formation of groups like the Sons of Liberty. These acts of defiance escalated tensions between the colonists and British authorities.
• Continental Congress and Calls for Unity: The First Continental Congress, convened in 1774, brought together delegates from the colonies to address their grievances and coordinate resistance against British policies. The Congress played a significant role in organizing colonial opposition and fostering a sense of unity among the colonies.
• Outbreak of Violence: The conflict between the colonists and British forces escalated into armed confrontations. The Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 marked the beginning of open warfare between colonial militias and British troops, with the colonists seeking to defend their rights and resist British control.