6-8 pages no outside sources, quotes or works cited page please, MLA format essay split into paragraphs

In a cogent answer
discuss the events that led to the American Revolution. Was the battle cry of
“liberty” based on economic, political, intellectual, religious, or
social issues? In other words, was it a violent reaction from colonists
adamantly opposed to taxation and virtual representation by Parliament? Was it
the reaction of an angry mob(“ordinary” colonists) that out pressure on
an elite class reluctant to wage war? Was it rooted in a deeper cause and
linked to notions of English liberties, enlightenment ideas, and the Great
Awakening? Was it an organized revolt or simply misguided, unorganized protest
movement that went too far by a handful of colonists overreacting to a few
unfortunate events? And finally, was it worthy cause considering that only
one-third of the colonists (patriots) supported it and that it marginalized
certain groups of Americans (slaves, women, and Native Americans)?

I. Introduction: Briefly
mention the possible motivations that led to the American Revolution. Make sure
to state your thesis, that is your argument for why thirteen separate colonies
joined together to fight the War of Independence. Discuss what you think the
important issue or issues were that compelled the colonists to back the cause,
and whether or not that cause was worthy. Take into consideration Jefferson’s
words “all men are created equal” in the Declaration of Independence.
Discuss whether the spirit of the American Revolution applied to everyone in
Colonial North America including women, slaves, and Native Americans.

II. Economic
motivation for the War of Independence

a. Salutary neglect by England enables the
colonists to tax themselves which allows a certain level of economic
independence.

b. Parliament imposes the Navigation Acts but they
are largely ignored by the colonists.

1. Writs of Assistance (search
warrants to combat smuggling). The colonists claim parliament is
exerting arbitrary power.

c. By 1763, the British want the colonists to help
pay for the Seven Years’ War.

d. Parliament begins taxing the colonies.

1. The Sugar Act (1764)

2. The Stamp Act (1765)

3. The Townsend Duties (1767)

4.

III. Political motivation for the War of Independence

a. Colonists unrepresented in House of Commons

1. “No taxation without representation”

2. Virginia’s House of Burgesses approved four
resolutions.

b. Stamp Act Congress (1765)

1. Boycotts

2. An effigy of Andrew Oliver was hung from
Boston’s Liberty Tree.

3. Committees of Correspondence

c. The Stamp Act Repealed by Parliament in 1776 empowers
colonists.

1. The Declaratory Act (1776) (response by
parliament)

d. Intolerable Acts (1774)

1. Quebec Act

e. Opposition to the Intolerable Acts (Worcester,
Massachusetts)

1. Suffolk’s Resolves

f. First Continental Congress (1774)

1. The Continental Association

2. The Committees of Safety

g. Second Continental Congress (1775)

IV. Intellectual
and religious motivations for the War of Independence

a. The British
Constitution.

1. English liberties and rights

b. John Locke –
“Social Contract,” and natural rights.

c. Enlightenment Ideas.

1. Enlightenment thinkers believed
that “reason” could govern human life.

2. Arminianism

3. Deism

4. Sir Isaac Newton – natural law

d. The Great Awakening

1. A reaction to enlightenment
rationalism (Arminianism and Deism)

2. Revivalist ministers encouraged
independent judgment

e. Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”

V.
Social
protest toward British conflict motivates colonists to fight the War.

a. The Boston Massacre (1770)

1. Five colonists are killed
but the event is used as political propaganda.

b. The Tea Act and the Boston Tea Party (1773)

1. Colonists organize a
peaceful protest.

2. Massachusetts gets the
attention of the other colonies when the British impose strict punishment on
them.

c. Lexington and Concord April 19, 1775.

1. Militiamen organize to
resist the advance of British Soldiers.

2. A mysterious shot is fired
and a battle ensues.

VI.
Conclusion: Restate your thesis (argument) and briefly discuss the worthiness
of the cause for independence.