Road to Independence MISSING BACON’S REBELLION!!!

A. French and Indian War (1754-1763) Dispute over land (Ohio River Valley/Great Lakes area) France had claimed it but British colonists moved in France and its Native American allies were defeated by Britain

Effect: Though Britain won the war, it issued the Proclamation of 1763 which prohibited colonists from settling in the Ohio River Valley

B. Tax Acts (1764-1773) To pay for the war, Parliament (British gov’t) imposed many laws and taxes on colonists: Stamp Act: required a stamp on all paper items (newspapers, cards) Before Fr/Indian War, there were taxes but people didn’t pay them and it wasn’t a big deal. Stamp Act – forced colonists to get an imprent, or stamp on anything made of paper (cars, newspapers, wills) Have to go to office and wait in line Quartering – Officer goes around and tells them you have to feed and clothe a soldier. Colonists weren’t kind – sometimes called them “Lobster Backs” because they wore red coats. People of Boston hated them and wouldn’t give them homes, so they had to live in a park called Boston Commons – ppl of Boston would play loud drums in the middle of the night to wake them up. Writs – Could transfer them to friends. Quartering Act: required to provide housing/food for British soldiers Tea Act: could only purchase tea from England Writs of Assistance - allowed tax collectors to search any home or business for smuggled items

Effect: Colonists argued the acts were “taxation without representation” because they had no vote in Parliament Soldiers didn’t want to be there – homesick and hated the colonies.

C. Protest (1765-1774) Sons of Liberty - secret group that worked against British boycotted (refused to buy) British goods formed militia (civilian army) used violence and threats to frighten tax collectors Massacre started by teenage boys. Boston Massacre: mob taunted British soldiers who fired and killed 5 colonists Boston Tea Party: Sons of Liberty dumped 90,000 pounds of tea in Boston Harbor

Effect: Intolerable Acts passed by Parliament to punish colonists - closed Boston Harbor, canceled MA charter, gave Canada control of Ohio River Valley

You tube https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=B0PE_kC-3EY

D. Revolution Begins (April 1775) Near Boston, British marched to Concord to seize colonists’ weapons, so Paul Revere alerted local militias At Lexington someone fired a shot; 8 colonists killed No weapons found in Concord so British retreated

Effect: The “Shot heard ‘round the ‘world’” started the American Revolution

E. Debate (1774-1775) Not all Americans supported revolution: 20% Loyalists, 40% Patriots, 40% Neutral Patrick Henry declared: “Give me liberty or give me death!” Continental Congress - colonial representatives met in Philadelphia, PA: debated peace or war sent message to king - demanded right to “life, liberty, and property” formed army - Washington in charge

Effect: Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense arguing that countries should be ruled by laws made by people (not kings); it convinced colonists to support revolution

F. Early Battles (1775-1776) June 1775 Bunker Hill – British captured dirt fort built by Continental Army outside Boston, but suffered huge losses (1,000 British v. 400 colonists) Jan. 1776 Dorchester Heights - Washington placed cannons on hills overlooking Boston

Effect: Britain evacuated its troops and Loyalists from Boston, then sent more troops to capture NY

G. Battles Around NY (1776-1777) Dec. 1776 Trenton: Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night and forced the British to surrender; no American losses Oct. 1777 Saratoga: 3-part British attack failed; resulted in major colonial victory and turning point in war

Effect: After Saratoga, France officially recognized the U.S. and sent money and soldiers to help fight the war

H. Surrender (1777-1783) Dec. 1777 Valley Forge, PA: colonists trained during harsh winter, ¼ of Washington’s army died, but conditions made them tough soldiers Oct. 1781 Yorktown, VA: Washington and French troops surrounded British and forced their surrender

Effect: Treaty of Paris 1783: the U.S. won independence and the western boundary was set at the Mississippi River