Question

Answer the following question

What were the causes of the American War of Independence?

Answer 1

The causes for the American War of Independence were:

1. The Americans were not allowed to start any industry. They were not allowed to trade with any country except England. They did not have the same rights as the English enjoyed in England. The Americans did not have any representation in the British Parliament. They had to pay more taxes than the English paid in England.
2. The English settlers in America were inspired by European philosophers like John Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu who believed in freedom, equality, and rights of people.
3. In 1765, the English Parliament passed the Stamp Act which imposed stamp taxes on all business transactions. This Act aroused violent resentment among colonists.
4. American thinkers like Jefferson asked people to rebel against the tyrannical rule of England.
5. The most prominent protest against the British is known as the ‘Boston Tea Party’. A group of people raided British ships in Boston Harbour and threw 340 crates of tea into the sea to protest against the new taxes. The 13 colonies in America revolted against the British. This is known as the American War of Independence.