Unit 3 American Revolution

Major Eras Acts Boston Tea Party Taxation without representation Unalienable Rights Battles of Lexington and Concord, Saratoga and Yorktown Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation

Important Dates 1776- adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

Causes of the American Revolution Proclamation of 1763- law created by the British Parliament. Colonists were forbidden to settle west of the Appalachian mountains. Mercantilism- system by which a nation increses its wealth and power by obtaining from its colonies gold, silver and other raw materials. It includes trade. The colonies are supposed to exist to purchase goods from the mother country, in this case England.

Causes of the American Revolution Continued Colonist have a lack of representation in British Parliament British economic policies following the French and Indian War. British wanted colonists to pay off debts from the war. *See British Trade Laws foldable.

Issues Surrounding the American Revolution Declaring Independence-reaction to King George III’s refusal to acknowledge the colonial requests/demands to “dissolve political bands” with Britain, provided philosophy for the establishment of a new nation: “All men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Also listed grievances against the King of England.

Issues Surrounding the American Revolution…. Continued Writing the Articles of Confederation- occurred at the Second Continental Congress (1776), created a new form of government for the independent colonies, included one branch: Congress with one representative from each former colony. Battles of Lexington and Concord- 1st battles of the revolution, “Shot heard ‘round the world” Battle of Saratoga- turning point in the war…France joined on the side of the colonists after this victory.

Issues Surrounding the American Revolution…. Continued Battle of Yorktown- surrender of General Cornwallis brought an end to the war. Enduring the winter at Valley Forge- after suffering several defeats during the Revolution Washington took his army to Valley Forge for the Winter of 1777, there the men were trained and became more of a professional army rather than militias. The winter was harsh and the men suffered from starvation and frostbite. Signing the treaty of Paris 1783-British recognize United States as a independent nation, boundaries extended to Canada in the North, the Mississippi River in the West and Florida in the South.

Civil Disobedience The process of defying codes of conduct within a community or ignoring the policies and government of a state or nation whrn the Civil laws are considered unjust. Examples: boycotts, protests, refusal to pay taxes, Boston Tea Party (1773) Protest led by the Son’s of Liberty in which they dumped the British Tea into Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act passed by Parliament. The Tea Party was a reaction to taxation without representation…

Points of View During the Revolution… Loyalists- colonists that remained loyal to the British Monarchy and disagreed with the Declaration of Independence. Patriot- The colonists who favored separating from Britain and becoming their own independent nation. Neutrals- Those who remained neutral who could not chose to take sides.