Causes of the American Revolution: Taxes, Tea, and Common Sense

CrashCourse

In this engaging installment of Crash Course US History, John Green explores the complex origins of the American Revolution, carefully distinguishing between the political revolution and the military War for Independence. The video traces the timeline of escalating tensions between Great Britain and the colonies following the Seven Years' War, explaining how British debt led to a series of unpopular taxes—the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and Townshend Acts—and how the colonists' response evolved from disorganized grumbling to coordinated boycotts and unified political action. Key themes include the concept of "taxation without representation," the economic motivations behind colonial protests, and the philosophical shift from seeking rights as Englishmen to demanding natural rights as human beings. Green highlights crucial events like the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the convening of the Continental Congress, while also spotlighting influential figures like Thomas Paine, whose pamphlet "Common Sense" played a pivotal role in shifting public opinion toward independence. For educators, this video serves as an excellent overview of the causal chain leading to 1776. It moves beyond simple dates and battles to examine the ideological and economic drivers of the conflict. The content is ideal for analyzing cause-and-effect relationships in history, understanding the power of propaganda and political writing, and discussing the difference between legislative disputes and revolutionary change. The fast-paced narration is supported by animations and primary source analysis, making it a high-yield resource for secondary social studies classrooms.