POLITICAL CAUSES

• Neither representation of Americans in the legislature nor did they have any rights to present their point of views in British Parliament.
• Local bodies where they had representation were ineffective. The British ensured that these locally elected governments by the colonists didn’t gain autonomy.
• The British Parliament could declare any person (by law or fiat) to be ‘tainted’, imprisoning or even executing him and confiscating all of his property without trial. This draconian policy is called ‘Bills of Attainder’.
• British colonial law enforcement authorities took measures to hit down the dissent with the iron fist. Example: In 1770 Boston Massacre in which British troops open fired on a crowd of protesters.
• As distrust of colonial authorities grew, the British Government began to deny colonists jury trials and placed both verdicts and punishments in the hand of judges which would be selected, paid and supervised by British not colonial authorities.
• Proclamation of 1763 – This hampered the agriculture in the 13 colonies as they could not expand west of the Appalachian mountains, on the order of the King of Britain.
• American had the aspiration for political liberation but they could not go into this direction for the fear of the French occupation of America. But when Britain defeated France in a year of war and captured Canada then American settlement became free from British danger they could thing yourself for liberates.
• The difference between Britain and American Settlement on constitutional issue:- Britain continues to emphasize the doctrine of parliamentary supremacy. Americans were inclined to the natural right of man.
• Red Indians (Native Americans) living in regions were restricted by British Government for further westward expansion and all the disgruntled classes were full behind the politicians who were thinking interns of political liberation.
• Propaganda by the Sons of Liberty and Committee of Correspondence of Boston Massacre. Further, the failure of the 1st and 2nd Continental Congress to restore peace led to the American Revolution.

ECONOMIC CAUSES

• The England economic policies towards colonies of America did not allow them to develop an economy of their own beyond Appalachian mountain. They wanted the colonists to remain as rent payers to them. This was the primary cause of resentment in the American colonies.
• Mercantilist policy of Britain with the passing of the Navigation Act, Enumerated Commodities Act, Iron Act, Sugar Act, Hat Act and Woolen Act that negatively impacted American economy.
• The Americans then came up with the slogan “No taxation without Representation”. The protestors forced England to withdraw stamp tax but English continued to assert the right to levy taxes and it put tax on consumer goods.
• Furthermore to British merchants having the monopoly over purchase of rice and tobacco in American colonies.
• The goods imported from other places into the colonies were imposed heavy import duties.
• The colonists argued that since English parliament had no representative from colonies they had no right to impose taxes on them. The taxes were used for welfare of British, not the colonists.
• The colonies were not allowed to start modern industries like iron and steel, textile, etc. They were forced to import these industrial goods from England.
• Payment of losses incurred by British during the 7 years war was done on American exchequer.
• A revenue stamp had to be affixed on all legal documents. This angered all colonists in many cities violent protests were seen and rioters even killed tax collectors.
• Britishers believe that they have settled Americans thus they have sole authority over their functioning in trade and movement etc. However Americans being Liberal and Trade oriented society felt that policy of Britishers is acting as hindrance in proliferation of their business.
• English aristocrats had bought lands in America and got rents from the farmers. They wanted to keep the colonists as renters.

IDEOLOGICAL CAUSES

• Enlightenment of Europe, especially thinkers of Britain like Locke aided in catalyzing the revolution with radical ideas of equality, liberty, fundamental rights, and democracy.
• Ideas of Liberalism, theory of Social Contract gave by John Locke, Rousseau influenced the political minds of the people.
• Founding Fathers of American Revolution like Benjamin Franklin, G. Washington were strong advocates of Republicanism.
• LAISSEZ FAIRE ideas gave power to the newly born capitalist class of American Society to fight for more autonomy in the market. Hence, slogans like “NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION” were born.
• Montesquieu ideas of Separation of Power formed the bedrock of American Polity.
• American thinkers like Thomas Jefferson inspired by English and French thinkers too decided to fuel people’s desire for independence.
• Henry Patrick inspired the American Colonists by his slogan “Give me death or independence”.

SOCIO-CULTURAL CAUSES

• American society was open and cosmopolitan whereas British society was rigid and feudalistic.
• Growth of SCIENTIFIC TEMPER helped in developing modern weapons and means of communication which helped during the war.
• The colonies were populated mainly by European migrants who were landless peasants, people facing religious persecution, traders, explorers, and others seeking adventure and profit in these new found lands.
• Industrialization culminating into mercantilism and slave trade further motivated the colonies to gain independence and showed about true nature of British Rule.
• Declaratory Act 1766 Stamp act repealed ‘The king and British parliament have all the Powers to make laws and tax the colonies in future.
• John Locke inspired the Society by arguing “The power of any king or government is derived from people who contract to obey their rules in exchange for law and security. Individuals have a natural right to hold property and this can never be taken from them without their own consent.
• Inequalities of British society were despised by many philosophers like Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson.

MILITARY CAUSES

• The England French war benefited Americans immensely. This war developed their industries and quality of life.
• The long war with French strained Britain’s resources to such an extent that her government started imposing heavy duties on her manufactured goods.
• Also when French lost Canada to Britain after the Seven Years’ war, the colonists heaved a sigh of relief. This change in situation that they are no longer under the French attack gave them courage and began articulating their views boldly which was not what British expected or wanted.
• In 1769 imprisonment of Alexander McDougall on “libel” charges for his work ‘To the Betrayed Inhabitants of the City and the Colony of New York’.
• Boston Massacre: In 1770 Britain dispatched roughly 1000 troops to Boston to maintain order. The British opened fire at the crowd and some people died. This shooting came to be known as the Boston massacre.
• The British officers in the colonies were endowed with the ‘Writs of Assistance’ to help discourage smuggling. These writs give officer power to search any residence or building without warning or supervision.