Have you ever thought about the American Revolution and how the colonists got to that point?
It’s not like they woke up one morning and said, “I fell like overthrowing the most powerful government right now.” No, there were gradual steps to the American Revolution.
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These past few weeks we’ve been looking at the steps to war as we worked our way through the chapter in All American History.
Steps to the American Revolution
The British government declared the American colonists were not allowed to move past the Appalachian mountains. This angered many people who were looking to move out of the “crowded” East coast (imagine what they’d think of now!).
A high tariff was put on all imports and exports. That’s why this needed such a scary ship* to represent this.
They put a tax on sugar! My kids all agreed this was terrible. They had no idea the colonists disliked it because it cut down on their rum production.
They started housing soldiers in people’s homes (this angered the people so much you’ll notice this is one of the first 10 amendments).
They taxed all paper and official documents. My kids really didn’t see why this was so annoying.
And finally, or at least all I got pictures of, they put a tax on TEA! Oh the horrors! I can tell you in our house we would be paying quite a high tax on that. We go through quite a lot. Also, there are many who think this is why American drink so much coffee, because they took to drinking other beverages in response to the tea tax.
This really helped them get the reasons. I could tell they were remembering it because this was actually done over quite a few days. Yeah for remembering!
Wondering what else happened in American History? Check out my US history page.
Linking up over at All Things Beautiful.
I think I'll remember it better now, too 🙂 Thanks for the lesson!
Awesome visuals!
I love the visuals!
I LOVE this!! Wonderful.
This is great! Thank you for linking up!
I love the sugar cubes and sugar tax!! What a great way for kids to understand the concept!
Awesomely put together. That's how we teach it here in Williamsburg… Treaty (French and Indian War), Taxes, Tea, and Troops. Bravo!
Coming over to visit from Red Oak Lane. What great visuals! I just love practical, hands-on fun ways to teach our children! Awesome! 🙂
Great job!
Love this idea. So cute! Nothing like a little act-out scene to stick it in all our minds!
I didn't know about the restrictions on the settlements – how interesting. Your history lessons are always fun.
I do read your blog, but I must be missing something- is Steps to War a program? I love all the hands-on learning! It looks like a great study.
We drink a lot of tea too. I remember when I didn't understand why taxes were a big deal – oh, to be a kid!
This is great, Ticia! I bet the kids will remember this lesson really well 🙂