Migration: Losing the American Colonies Flashcards
What were the long term causes of tension between Britain and America?
- colonists were ‘self made’ and saw the British class system and monarchy as outdated
- many believed that anyone could make a success out of themselves, no matter their background
- America had a strong economy that didn’t rely on trading with Britain
What were the Navigation acts?
Series of laws that gave Britain a monopoly on American trade } only British goods could be imported and sold to colonies and vice versa
What were the medium term causes of tension between America and Britain?
- Americans were ruled directly from Britain yet they had no representatives in Parliament: unhappy with paying taxes without a say in their governance
- Colonists also made to pay taxes to fund wars with France that the colonists felt had too little to do with them
- Stamp act
What was the Stamp Act?
Imposed a tax on the paper used for official documents
What happened during the Boston Tea Party?
- in protest to the taxes on tea
- a group of Americans boarded ships in Boston and dumped 342 crates of tea into the harbour
- British closed the Boston port, banned all town meetings
What was the impact of the war on America?
- lost 25,000 men during the war, mainy due to disease
- impact was felt on the industry for many years
- Americans able to forge stronger relations with the French
What did colonies who wanted to stay under British control do and what country did this form?
Formed their own country called Canada
What was Australia used for?
Sending criminals because their jails were oveflowing
How did Australia prove to be a loyal and dutiful colony?
- provided willing markets for British goods
- good location for Ambitious/ poor Britons to move to
How did Britain show it had power after the American war of independence?
Continued to colonise West Indes and South America
When did the British surrender the American war of independence?
1781
