AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE CLIL HISTORY UNIT IV ITE

British Colonies 1607: first British Colony (Virginia) 1620: Mayflower from Britain to North America (Pilgrim Fathers) Britain established 13 English Colonies of America during the 17th Century A century of rivalry between England, France, Spain, Austria and Prussia culminated in the Seven Years’ War ( ). After the British victory over the French, Britain became the major colonial power in North America.

ALL COLONIES RELIED ON BRITAIN New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut Northern Colonies -The biggest part of citizens were British and Puritans; - middle class of small landowners, businessmen and merchants Northern Colonies -The biggest part of citizens were British and Puritans; - middle class of small landowners, businessmen and merchants

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware Central Colonies -different religions and ethnic groups; - small properties and large estates; - development of trade market Central Colonies -different religions and ethnic groups; - small properties and large estates; - development of trade market

Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia Southern Colonies agriculture on large estates, slaves, rich landowners, plantations (tobacco, cotton). Southern Colonies agriculture on large estates, slaves, rich landowners, plantations (tobacco, cotton).

Britain behaves as a tyrannic power To help cover the expense of defending colonies during the Seven Years’ War, the British Government decided to tax its American colonies more strictly (Sugar Act 1764, Stamp Act 1765). Britain imposes colonies to trade only with motherland and gives monopoly on some goods to trade companies (ex. Tea Act 1773: monopoly of tea trade to British East India Company) A Britain governor rules each colony and verifies the application of taxes. To help cover the expense of defending colonies during the Seven Years’ War, the British Government decided to tax its American colonies more strictly (Sugar Act 1764, Stamp Act 1765). Britain imposes colonies to trade only with motherland and gives monopoly on some goods to trade companies (ex. Tea Act 1773: monopoly of tea trade to British East India Company) A Britain governor rules each colony and verifies the application of taxes.

Rebellion The growing unrest was reflected by the slogan No taxation without representation: colonists claimed representation in British Parliament. There were lots of political debates about the role of democracy and republican values. In 1773 the Boston Tea Party signalled the start of rebellions and protests: a group of colonists assaulted three British ships and threw the tea into the sea. Britain closed Boston harbour and put under control the colonists’ political activity. The growing unrest was reflected by the slogan No taxation without representation: colonists claimed representation in British Parliament. There were lots of political debates about the role of democracy and republican values. In 1773 the Boston Tea Party signalled the start of rebellions and protests: a group of colonists assaulted three British ships and threw the tea into the sea. Britain closed Boston harbour and put under control the colonists’ political activity.

War and Colonists’ organization 1774: First Continental Convention 1775: Second Continental Convention Groups of local militia formed 1775: British soldiers were sent to Lexington to confiscate a store of weapons. They faced the rebels and on April 19th 1775 the war began. The Colonies involved formed a provisional government, called The United Colonies of America and formed their own army, the Continental Army, under the leadership of George Washington. 1774: First Continental Convention 1775: Second Continental Convention Groups of local militia formed 1775: British soldiers were sent to Lexington to confiscate a store of weapons. They faced the rebels and on April 19th 1775 the war began. The Colonies involved formed a provisional government, called The United Colonies of America and formed their own army, the Continental Army, under the leadership of George Washington.

Declaration of Independence On July the 4th, 1776 colonists declared their Independence. People in U.S. still celebrates this date with a national holiday every year as Independence Day. On July the 4th, 1776 colonists declared their Independence. People in U.S. still celebrates this date with a national holiday every year as Independence Day.

Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, was influenced by the Enlightenment philosophy that came out of Europe, and shows the desire for a new, more egalitarian society. For the first time, ideas of freedom and political equality find place in politics. The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, was influenced by the Enlightenment philosophy that came out of Europe, and shows the desire for a new, more egalitarian society. For the first time, ideas of freedom and political equality find place in politics.

First lines of Declaration of Independence We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

After the Declaration of Independence Loyalists Wanted to maintain their loyalty to Britain Especially from higher classes, high anglican clergy, bureaucracy Loyalists Wanted to maintain their loyalty to Britain Especially from higher classes, high anglican clergy, bureaucracy Nationalists Wanted complete independence from Britain Especially intellectuals, small merchants, workmen Nationalists Wanted complete independence from Britain Especially intellectuals, small merchants, workmen

War The British suffered some surprise defeats by the hands of the Continental Army (Saratoga 1777), but returned to war with reinforcements. The Americans formed an alliance with France in 1778, and the French helped them with money, weapons, ships and soldiers. The British suffered some surprise defeats by the hands of the Continental Army (Saratoga 1777), but returned to war with reinforcements. The Americans formed an alliance with France in 1778, and the French helped them with money, weapons, ships and soldiers.

French help French governement helped colonists because of: - political profit - former rivalry with Britain - influence of Enlightement philosophers and of the American delegate Benjamin Franklin. From 1779 also Spain and Holland helped the colonies. French governement helped colonists because of: - political profit - former rivalry with Britain - influence of Enlightement philosophers and of the American delegate Benjamin Franklin. From 1779 also Spain and Holland helped the colonies.

The End of the War The British, under General Cornwallis, were forced to surrender at Yorktown in The war formally ended with the Treaty of Paris (1783). Unites States (13 colonies) became a sovereign state, with George Washington as its first President. Also the unexplored West area, until Mississippi river, was under U.S.’ control. The British, under General Cornwallis, were forced to surrender at Yorktown in The war formally ended with the Treaty of Paris (1783). Unites States (13 colonies) became a sovereign state, with George Washington as its first President. Also the unexplored West area, until Mississippi river, was under U.S.’ control.

Federation or Confederation? Independent Colonies had to decide how to organize the new state. Each colony had its own constitution and government; different colonies had different laws, reflecting the political and economic situation of the country. Independent Colonies had to decide how to organize the new state. Each colony had its own constitution and government; different colonies had different laws, reflecting the political and economic situation of the country.

Federation or Confederation? FEDERATION (Hamilton, Madison) Colonies maintain their autonomy in some affairs, but decisions on general affairs (as coin, trade, international politics) are taken by federal parliament and government. In this way, a true new united state is born. Especially in the northern colonies, where businessmen wanted to create a domestic market to sell their products. FEDERATION (Hamilton, Madison) Colonies maintain their autonomy in some affairs, but decisions on general affairs (as coin, trade, international politics) are taken by federal parliament and government. In this way, a true new united state is born. Especially in the northern colonies, where businessmen wanted to create a domestic market to sell their products. CONFEDERATION (first project, Articles of Confederation, 1777) (Jefferson) Colonies maintain their sovereignty and the power of central authority is delimited. Especially in the southern colonies, which were suspicious of northern merchants and businessmen CONFEDERATION (first project, Articles of Confederation, 1777) (Jefferson) Colonies maintain their sovereignty and the power of central authority is delimited. Especially in the southern colonies, which were suspicious of northern merchants and businessmen

Differences and problems Differences between colonies developed after the war, because of: -Bad economic situation due to the war -Popular unrest caused by lower classes who served in the army during the war -Fight for possession of western lands: in 1787 the North-West Ordinance organized the western lands as independent new colonies. Differences between colonies developed after the war, because of: -Bad economic situation due to the war -Popular unrest caused by lower classes who served in the army during the war -Fight for possession of western lands: in 1787 the North-West Ordinance organized the western lands as independent new colonies.

U.S. Federation People understand that only a central governement can face these many problems -Security -Organization of economic affairs -Restoring national debt (to European countries) -Defense -Assigning new lands (=> American Indian matter) People understand that only a central governement can face these many problems -Security -Organization of economic affairs -Restoring national debt (to European countries) -Defense -Assigning new lands (=> American Indian matter)

U.S. Federation Between May and September of 1787, a Convention of the delegates of the colonies settled in Philadelphia and approved the Constitution of the United States of America. The new country is a federal presidential republic. On January 1789 the first president George Washington was elected. Between May and September of 1787, a Convention of the delegates of the colonies settled in Philadelphia and approved the Constitution of the United States of America. The new country is a federal presidential republic. On January 1789 the first president George Washington was elected.

U.S. Constitution Active from 1788 to nowadays. Some amendments were approved in the following years: 1791 Ten amendments (Bill of Rights) to protect individual freedom of citizens (civil freedom: ex. 5th amendment) th amendment: abolition of slavery Active from 1788 to nowadays. Some amendments were approved in the following years: 1791 Ten amendments (Bill of Rights) to protect individual freedom of citizens (civil freedom: ex. 5th amendment) th amendment: abolition of slavery