Taxes & Smuggling - Prelude to Revolution: Crash Course US History #6

In which John Green teaches you about the roots of the American Revolution. The Revolution did not start on July 4, 1776. The Revolutionary War didn't start on July 4 either. (as you remember, I'm sure, the Revolution and the Revolutionary War are not the same thing) The shooting started on April 19, 1775, at Lexington and/or Concord, MA. Or the shooting started with the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770. At least we can pin down the Declaration of Independence to July 4, 1776. Except that most of the signers didn't sign until August 2. The point is that the beginning of the Revolution is very complex and hard to pin down. John will lead you through the bramble of taxes, royal decrees, acts of parliament, colonial responses, and various congresses. We'll start with the end of the Seven Years' War, and the bill that the British ran up fighting the war. This led to taxes on colonial trade, which led to colonists demanding representation, which led to revolution. It all seems very complicated, but Crash Course will get you through it in about 12 minutes.
Hey teachers and students - Check out CommonLit's free collection of reading passages and curriculum resources to learn more about the events of this episode. Many events paved the road to American Independence from England: www.commonlit.org/texts/the-r...
England’s taxation on American colonists led to the famous 1773 Boston Tea Party: www.commonlit.org/texts/give-...
And in 1775, Patrick Henry delivered a speech that rallied Virginias to form a militia against Britain: www.commonlit.org/texts/a-par...
Chapters:
Introduction: The American Revolution 00:00
The End of the Seven Years War 0:36
Taxation in the American Colonies 1:47
The Stamp Act 2:22
The Townshend Acts 3:31
The Boston Massacre 4:22
The Boston Tea Party 4:54
The Intolerable Acts 5:47
The First Continental Congress 6:14
American Revolution =/= American War for Independence 7:35
Early Battles of the American Revolutionary War 7:58
Mystery Document 8:45
Thomas Paine's Common Sense 10:09
Credits 11:47
Crash Course is on Patreon! You can support us directly by signing up at / crashcourse
Want to find Crash Course elsewhere on the internet?
Facebook - / youtubecrashcourse
Twitter - / thecrashcourse
Instagram - / thecrashcourse
CC Kids: / crashcoursekids

[@swordfish1929]

There is something beautiful about this comment section. Half complaining about AP exams, half quoting Hamilton lyrics. I love it

[@pokeplayer771]

Must.... keep.... cramming..... for..... AP...... exam... *Collapses*

[@izzydp2814]

Exactly what I'm doing I feel the struggle

[@jonathanechols9293]

same

[@midnightanimal6973]

me rn

[@fangride14]

Pokeplayer college midterm man..... It never ends

[@hollyr5470]

Yep! That's why I'm here!!

[@williammassey8761]

now drop and give me 120 APUSHUPS

[@LightningBoyNation]

*facepalm*

[@TheAce0703]

can I do that instead of the exam?

[@Tuckems]

William Massey get out

[@rachelsteinnn4575]

William Massey mood rn

[@duncangreen8871]

No

[@FirstNameLastName-xm8by]

"There is something absurd in supposing my APUSH exam scores to be perpetually decided insufficient by the College Board." We need a revolution

[@kenithy]

I bet half the views happen each year around May due to the AP final test.

[@madisonplucknett9679]

I know that's why I'm here...

[@Anen248]

Madison Plucknett aaaayyyyeeeee same here. Whose ready to fail!?

[@kenithy]

I am!

[@chibiprussia5574]

Anen248 I am striving for at least a 3 :D

[@ShotableTricks]

someoneisa boss two days....

[@HeroofBergen]

"There is something absurd in supposing a continent to perpetually governed by an island." One the best quotes for American Independence ever, of all time.

[@Magic_Ice]

Why should a tiny island across the sea regulate the price of tea

[@Udontkno7]

@@Magic_Ice Alexander, please.

[@Magic_Ice]

Burr, I’d rather be divisive than indecisive, drop the niceties

[@nathanielgarza9198]

Words first burn

[@whatabouttheearth]

Why would you be King of all sorts of lands around the world and always live on the one with the shittiest weather?

[@juliaaaaaaaaaa7660]

John Green getting me that 5 on the apush exam.

[@silversurfer1889]

Lol saaaame

[@CesarGA12]

same

[@adityapriyadarshi2026]

+Silver Surfer but shouldn't you be finding planets for Galactus to consume?

[@CesarGA12]

I got a 5 guys

[@christiansouthwick4712]

What did you get?

[@jackhunter4877]

Thank god for crash course... I'm a sophomore in AP US History and I will spend between 3 to 5 hours on homework per night trying to figure out what the hell the book is trying to say until I discovered these. These little 12 minute videos simplify and do more than an amazing job explaining history, getting all the important bits so concisely. Thank you so much, you just saved my ass in about 10 different ways.

[@MarthaMaysie]

Y’all doing this for your AP and I’m here just sitting on my bed watching this for homeschool.

[@tiffanyweeks7737]

hahahahahaha meee

[@gretareitenbach4537]

Same

[@mimi_0h317]

I have a test on this Monday:,)) PRAY FOR ME

[@Leeav]

What’s it like bein homeschooled

[@m.gmarie]

Gotta AP test tomorrow :*(

[@elegy1904]

For anyone who doesn't get why the Boston Tea Party was such a big deal, it wasn't like little tea bags they were dumping off the ship. It was big, thick slabs of pure tea leaves.

[@pingpong293]

*Me* puts on 2x speed to watch all the videos before my exam in 14 hours

[@afnanalnajar9196]

how? I can barely keep up!

[@kateazile]

#how do I watch 48 12-minute videos before tomorrow morning?

[@OldBeau]

#me

[@itsrealshadyg2082]

you could x2 them

[@kathrynhonor]

It will take 10 hours. Hope you have that time😂

[@kateazile]

It's chill I got a 4 on the exam

[@tikihead]

I'm really late, but I just wanted to say I'm proud of you

[@Ajmgonja]

I’m just going to say it for everyone, John green is a savior I would have failed so many tests without this channel

[@WhyDidIJustEatThat]

Hear ye! Hear ye! My name is Samuel Seabury, and I present free thoughts on the proceedings of the Continental Congress.

[@sarcastic8965]

Heed not the rabble who scream revolution, they have not your interests at heart

[@brij5778]

Oh my god tear this dude apart.

[@phoebe7697]

chaos and bloodshed are not a solution, don't let them lead you astray

[@kaleylecroy8141]

For shame, for SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME

[@andresp.4974]

Heed not the rabble who scream revolution They have not your interests at heart

[@tertiaryconsumer9291]

Sadly, Thomas Paine died without any common cents. :(

[@TheViolentFlame]

"Common Sense appeared in January of 1776, and it was like the Harry Potter of its time, only with liberty instead of wizard school" I am dying.

[@walealao1352]

Good explanation ♡

[@TheMathian]

I'm watching this instead of reading 60 pages of my history text so I can complete an essay and a test.

[@skylarcomer3248]

good choose

[@LordofSouls45]

+Hybrid Cub same

[@Michaelpschreib]

+Sky Love Great use of the English language. A LOT of hope for the next generations :D

[@iilovemuzzic]

+Hybrid Cub I have ID midterms tomorrow and this is how I'm spending the rest of my night.

[@chase5423]

+Hybrid Cub Dude, same.

[@disaidra]

Why should a tiny island across the sea regulate the price of tea? >:(

[@yixuu]

Burr, I’d rather be divisive than indecisive, drop the niceties!

[@slomari]

Silence! A message from the King! A message from the King! A message from the King!

[@peytonsmith7358]

You say, the price of my love's not a price that you're willing to pay.

[@jrocarrot]

You cry, in your tea which you hurl in the sea when you see me go by

[@georgiamercer657]

Why so sad? Remember we made an arrangement when you went away.

[@charlottewatts2650]

More than half of this is just Hamilton lyrics. I am proud.

[@user-ls8ks7kv8c]

It's just sad. Hamilton was a Neo-Con who wanted to invade South America sell out the U.S to the big banks and corporations, and make American basically British Empire 2.0 (which basically happened, unfortunately). He was a dangerous man and the fact that the corporate media managed to brainwash so many Americans into loving this guy just because of a play with a Hispanic guy playing him really says everything.

[@michellealvarez9459]

@@user-ls8ks7kv8c well I understand what you are saying but when we quote and say we love him, we love the "Alexander Hamilton" Lin Manuel Miranda created (which i do get "brainwashed"). At least on my behalf. Although there is so much more

[@avenueis1377]

to be honest i'm only here because i love both hamilton and john green

[@leslieking2472]

You are currently saving me from failing my AP history test next week! THANK YOU!

[@mockingbirdlover99]

Me too 😀

[@doorrraaaa]

i am brazilian, learned very little about amerincan history at school. After listening to Hamilton, and becoming a little obsessed about it, I thought that maybe i should learn a little more about the real history involved... thanks crash course!

[@LaibahAkbar]

I love how John Green can make a history lesson funny instead of boring...

[@jenndeveglio3806]

learning the whole course in one night for the ap exam tomorrow :)

[@JackieAndTayTay]

relateableaf

[@liamandgabe8466]

Yep

[@crashcourse]

1. Most British citizens on the British Isles didn't have direct representation either, as most people had no vote. Some in Parliament claimed that the colonists had "virtual representation," but nobody bought that. 2. pretty much, I think. 3. GA was looking to get some British support in fighting the Natives on their frontier, so they didn't want to rock the boat. 4. The French at this time were watching and waiting. They'll get involved after Saratoga. -stan

[@rorybotelho9436]

to everyone taking the ap exam tomorrow, best of luck, i shall send good luck and positive vibes your way... if we fail though, we fail together.

[@bolb6000commenterlol]

11:08 HE BLINKED! HE BLINKED!!! HE BLINKED!!!!!

[@Fannii94]

'cause I've been readind Common Sense by Thomas Paine Some men say that I'm intense or I'm insane

[@gerritsevereid4657]

Yes I thought I was the only one! You want a revolution, I want a revelation

[@alexaliona]

SO LISTEN TO MY DECLARATION

[@lauracorum9775]

We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal

[@alexaliona]

Laura Corum AND WHEN I MEET THOMAS JEFFERSON IMMA COMPEL HIM TO INCLUDE WOMEN IN THE SEQUEL!

[@Fannii94]

WERK!! ✌

[@hereonly2comment]

APUSH test tomorrow. Let's do this.

[@zacharyblanchard973]

+hereonly2comment You have Partrick?

[@hereonly2comment]

+Zachary Blanchard APUSH is all over the U.S. I believe.

[@StarfireIvy27]

Good luck man, I have one too 😂

[@3600vegeta]

Ive got mine in 3 days

[@billybobjoe1335]

+hereonly2comment Are most people watching this due to APUSH? What school do you go to?

[@erichuth6577]

All my 2020 apushers drop a like

[@Cyclonus5]

Yes, Hello. I'd like to get my citizenship for Johngreensylvania. Which line do I stand in? :)

[@domenik8339]

The one which makes you a questionable American and edits history as it pleases.

[@Cyclonus5]

Domenik Eyraud The fact that you would declare me a questionable American over such a thing makes you a questionable American. Have fun with that.

[@domenik8339]

Cyclonus5 The "I know you are but what am I" reversal. Haven't seen that once since 4th grade, touche.

[@Cyclonus5]

Domenik Eyraud I thought I would respond appropriately to the impetus, I mean I figured you were aware of the fact so it just seemed fun.

[@domenik8339]

Cyclonus5 To make it clear I was making fun of John Green and his horrific bias, not you.

[@rachelgore6455]

Who just watches these for fun like I love learning stuff so I basically just watch these whenever lol.

[@frizzbomb123]

🙋

[@jillianurbach1328]

+Rachel Gore Plus it's John Green so... :p

[@catfoodcompany]

I'm watching them because I love history and my middle school did a garbage job of teaching it

[@RedStrayHound]

+Rachel Gore This is TV to me.

[@kbeef7130]

+Rachel Gore me me me me :)))))

[@rebeccastough6924]

in under 60 seconds, John Green explained the stamp tax better than my high school us history teacher did in like 3 days of classes.

[@PotterMarauder]

college US history exam in an hour. Thanks John Green XD

[@truboo4268]

HOLD UP. Did John say exception? WHERE'S THE MONGOLTAUGE?!

[@j.b.5422]

yea 2

[@mconion4393]

I like how he is funny, and he gets to the point and actually teaches us something.

[@LeeLooDM]

Hamilton brought me here... I want to learn more and there is no entertaining way to do it

[@Dorky_Designs]

5:10 The Indians had energy swords from Halo?! AWESOME!!!

[@pbee1503]

lol

[@kahlareinhart930]

XD

[@9208655]

How did they lose

[@guidetoanything]

That was also a colonist dressed as a native american.....just sayin' lol

[@HaloLemur]

WaffleMaster91 You idiot, the colonists were dressed up as Indians. They won. That's why America is a country.

[@greatexpectations6577]

I came here for the nostalgia 😢 I used to watch John Green’s Crash Course History religiously.

[@SeahorseTrash]

AP exam on Friday. Let’s go lmao

[@matthew7755]

Watching this video in 2022 and having Putin popping up after mentioning human rights and their violation is terribly accurate

[@Mossy_Blob]

So my teacher has started watching crash course in class as part of our lessons and OH MY GOODNESS it's great!

[@michaelboulos3272]

Incredibly relevant right now. Thank you!

[@Jessketeer]

Thomas Paine called my great x5 uncle Joseph Le Bon "the most vile creature to walk the earth". There. There's a thing you know about me, Crash Course.

[@karinaabraham5718]

LET'S DO THIS APUSHERS!!!

[@TheChristiemcc]

The "shot heard round the world" is a line from Emerson's "Concord Hymn," not Longfellow's "Midnight Ride of Paul Revere." Also, I love this stuff so much.

[@Slo330]

That energy sword :D 5:11

[@santihodge5278]

Dustin Moretz Dat energy sword doe

[@About37Hobos]

Love halo

[@elvisdavis5128]

I love how he breaks it down in depth and sums it up

[@Murry-lr2bd]

I LOVE your enthusiasm and knowledge in every episode you have on American History! I am taking an American History class and your videos help me out tremendously. I am studying to be a teacher and you inspire me!

[@TheObeliskStudios]

Hi crash course, i may have commented in the past, but i would like to say that my high school history class uses your videos to teach the students. test scores werent so good before, then our teacher introduced this show, and things are going much better! Thankyou.

[@alanardominim]

[ANGELICA] I’ve been reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine So men say that I’m intense or I’m insane You want a revolution? I want a revelation So listen to my declaration: [ELIZA/ANGELICA/PEGGY] “We hold these truths to be self-evident That all men are created equal”

[@cait_o_saurus]

MY PEOPLE! I'm literally only here to learn more about Hamilton (we don't learn about the era in Britain)

[@walealao1352]

Yeah Ikr "Common Sense" litterly gave me sense. (And an A+ just for reading it and I am going to college next year yay!)

[@olivermensinger6022]

And when I meet Thomas Jefferson I'm gonna compel him to include women in the sequel. WORK!

[@hopebadger]

I'm not ready for the AP Exam! WHY DID I PROCRASTINATE?!?!?!?!?

[@walealao1352]

Lol I have chronic procrastination

[@bbminetesting6837]

I've got a CLEP next Monday, and I've been procrastinating too :(

[@g21g28]

So I see John-from-the-past is a Gatsby fan. Noice.

[@squiddi1393]

The shirt o.O

[@stellasketch2962]

Binge watching these for my AP exam on Friday. How many out of the 40 can I watch before my head explodes with information? I guess we'll see.

[@hermangarcia545]

Me two I hope I get a 5 also I hope you get the 5

[@samuri5551]

+Herman Garcia Make that three of us. Anything Pre-Seven Years War is not good territory for me

[@walealao1352]

XD XP LOL

[@rodrigomenchaca4077]

its that time of the year again...

[@sarahcarter9459]

As an eight grader thankyou so much from the bottom of my heart crash course, you guys slay

[@MajorZelDaFan1234]

apparently he's a bishop or something. that's really funny to me for some reason.

[@BrntVanilla]

I thought it was galloway who wrote the mystery doc lol Wth is he lol

[@anudeike]

***** Charles speaky di inglis

[@_KOBuS_]

Here I am, rewatching crash course outside of school, and uncontrollably laughing at the mole asses joke

[@apriliahussna4561]

What a great coincidence to be watching this video at the same date when the war between the British and the colonists started 244 years ago. Happy anniversary guys🎉💪

[@laurengaw7607]

"Sons of Liberty" Oh how I loved that Metal Gear reference.

[@TheBubber5000]

That's what they were called back then

[@hannahbair7744]

Thank you, John Green for getting me through APUSH.

[@mariposa21089]

You are the best. I wish you were my high school teacher!

[@erincolaluca4829]

I love those little animations and those delegates bobbing around-so cute

[@4nimeJax]

I was here a few years ago for AP exams... I return now for *College* exams .... Some things never change

[@ape_rider]

the internet is really an amazing creation. 4+ years of History education compacted into 12 minutes.

[@imerinshanny]

Anyone else studying for the 2020 Exam??

[@Catc492]

Ready for the online exam😔

[@thoughtorigami7044]

Thank you so much for making these videos! They are great for someone like me who doesn't care for the classroom approach to history, but is still interested. Atm, this video was a great refresher for my English paper analyzing the causes/inspirations for the Declaration of Independence. I might also note that my psychology teacher recommended we watch Hank's videos when studying.

[@Warriorpend2]

The inevitable "who watches these videos just for fun"! There's one on every video. Not that that's a bad thing, I think it's great that so many people watch these for fun. C:

[@ashtuatara]

"The weapon we have is love" - Thomas Paine

[@meeramahesh8987]

"Charles ingles, Charles frickin ingles! I have never even heard of that guy!!" that is funny idk y tho

[@marinaguadarrama9500]

Seriously these videos are so good. They are really funny and they perfectly explain US history.

[@MelodyJoy7813]

love the subtle shade being thrown at tea. "to our great national shame.." LOL

[@chinchilla_fandoms9500]

You say the price of my love’s not a price that you’re willing to pay.

[@MeloettaMarmalade]

Yo lets get this 5 on the test coming up I believe in you guys

[@kevinwolcott8757]

Lovin' the MGS 2 reference.

[@user-rq1un8fm6h]

Thank you Mr. Green! Ur like the best and most HILARIOUS history teacher!! 😂🤣 I learn more from u than school!

[@GrabbinmyRICE]

5:10 halo energy sword :D

[@peepthezoobazz]

lmfao "making the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs since 1776"

[@JoshuaBlatman]

This video is hilarious, really fun, and super educational. Thanks for making it!

[@madelinefieldshalva3121]

Never fear, Crash Course is here!

[@epicgirl235]

it's strange that everyone is cramming for AP yet I'm in middle school watching this cuz I want to get ahead of my class

[@gerritsevereid4657]

LOL SAME. Go history

[@pirateking888]

Good on you. I'm a 27 year old guy who finally thinks history is interesting.

[@AdilaSebastian]

thankfully I am not alone history test tomorrow 😂

[@DanielaMartinez-wb5iv]

right this is my homework and im in middle school

[@twizter4462]

epicgirl235 Ap Gets u into college

[@user-ic2gi7re6c]

MAN LMAO I'M SO SCREWED FOR THIS TEST TOMORROW

[@user-ic2gi7re6c]

@Ava Steinbach THANKS GLAD I'M NOT ALONE

[@harlanpm]

How did it go

[@AWlpsSHOW36]

I'm doing an essay about the Boston Tea Party for my History exam that's coming. These videos are the best and are so useful. I'm so glad I live in this time and age! Wish me luck, guys.

[@berhanarobbins6826]

I like that you John green, tell the real truth about history.

[@jadyntrahan6607]

I love this SO much

[@wisdomleader85]

I laughed my ass off when Vladimir Putin's head popped out, lol.

[@cheeks2401]

Since I decided to procrastinate on homework I am now up at 1:59am doing super easy homework🤦🏾‍♀️

[@anzatzi]

These may be too fast paced to help as a teaching aid--but the level of creativity and humor is incredible. Thanks crash course

[@teresaluna7254]

I cracked up at "Charles speaks di Inglis" 😂

[@luv2hvfun22]

I'VE BEEN READING COMMON SENSE BY THOMAS PAINE

[@hazeltug]

Yeeess

[@chinchilla_fandoms9500]

Some men say that I’m intense or I’m insane.

[@kawaiibunnbunn]

You want a revolution? I want a revelation! So listen to my declaration.

[@Jay-to7yz]

we hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal and when i meet thomas jefferson uh imma compel him to include women in the sequel WORK

[@lilliansunshine7499]

Jesus Christ John! It's 1:15 am where I am and I was just sitting in the dark sipping tea when Putin popped up lurking in the shadows and I actually screamed. My parents woke up and asked me if I was okay!

[@SonofDarkknight77587]

Taking my US EOC test tomorrow. All of you're videos really help!!!!

[@heylove9016]

Who else is watching all 48 videos of APUSH Crash Course now?

[@melekben-ayed7126]

last minute studying! let's goooooo

[@littlephlox8255]

"Mole asses." I laughed so hard. I love these videos.

[@lizuzi4141]

i love your humor lol makes the videos better and one of many reasons why i always use them for my biology and history classes :)

[@OfDaSouth]

But that Metal Gear reference tho

[@JoePescisAngryCousin]

+OfDaSouth I'm so happy they did that :D

[@robertkovarna8294]

I think it should have been Raiden, but that's still a cool reference.

[@soypelusa]

I was wondering, why are there only subtitles for some of the videos? I'm fluent in English but it's not my first language, and while I do love these videos (I'm a History student), sometimes I struggle to both understand and process the information at the speed at which you talk! Subtitles really help a lot.

[@ashrdvorak17]

Hey John and team! I'm currently in the process of re-watching all off the U.S. History videos in preparation for the APUSH test next week. I would like to thank all of you for saving my brain, grade, and interest in American history. This subject, for me, had always existed as an ominous cloud of dates and names which have never superseded one another in importance, and without all of you, this is how it would have indubitably remained. I am invariably grateful to the illogical logic which you magically impose on history, my once least favorite subject. Finally, I am curious to know: who the heck is in charge of the closed captioning?

[@andre-cu4qn]

tonight's mood: marathoning 30 of these videos for my apush final tomorrow morning