Road to Revolution Chapter 6

French & Indian War British own a large debt from the War. British want colonists to repay debt.

Proclamation of 1763 Forbade colonists to settle west of the Appalachians. British – “too costly to defend the west” Colonists – “we have won the right to settle the Ohio River Valley.”

Quartering Act King George III – sends troops to enforce Proclamation. Cost-saving measure that requires colonists to house troops and provide them supplies.

Sugar Act 1764 Tax on sugar, molasses, and other products shipped to the colonies Called for strict punishment of smugglers

Stamp Act 1765 This law required all legal and commercial documents to carry a stamp showing a tax had been paid. Examples : diplomas, contracts, wills, and newspapers Direct tax on colonists

Townshend Acts 1767 Quartering Act was failing. British need a way increase revenue 1st act – suspended New York’s assembly 2nd act – placed import taxes on goods (glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea)

Boston Massacre March 5, 1770 A fight broke out, soldiers fired (killing Crispus Attucks and 4 others) Colonists outraged Soldiers who fired are arrested for murder John Adams defends them Soldiers found innocent

Boston Massacre

Tea Act Tea popular in the colonies Most smuggled from Holland Tea Act gave the British East India Control over American tea trade This enraged colonists

Boston Tea Party Lead by Samuel Adams & the Sons of Liberty a group of men disguised as Native Americans board three tea ships and destroy 342 chests of tea

Intolerable Acts laws meant to punish the Massachusetts colony Coercive Acts 1 – closed the port of Boston until tea was paid for 2 – banned committees of correspondence 3 – allowed British to house troops wherever necessary 4 – let British officials accused of crimes in the colonies stand trial in Britain.

First Continental Congress September 1774, the First Continental Congress meets. All colonies except Georgia send reps. bans trade with Britain until intolerable acts are repealed & colonies begin raising armies

Spy Network Colonists organizes a spy network to watch British. Paul Revere warns colonists of coming British attack

Lexington and Concord British plan to destroy militia ammunition supply in Concord. April 19, 1775, British troops reach Lexington, fight militiamen Troops fight militiamen at Concord, forced to retreat.

Lexington and Concord Lexington and Concord are the first battles of the Revolutionary War.

The Continental Army Is Formed Americans, led by Ethan Allen, capture Britain’s Fort Ticonderoga On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress meets Meeting takes place in Philadelphia, delegates include: - John Adams - Benjamin Franklin - George Washington - Patrick Henry

The Battle of Bunker Hill In June 1775, militiamen seize Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill British troops attack Breed’s Hill Eventually, British force militiamen off hill British suffer over 1,000 casualties, but win Battle of Bunker Hill Americans however, gain moral victory

A Last Attempt at Peace In July 1775, Americans send Olive Branch Petition to Britain’s king Petition asks king to restore harmony between Britain and colonies King rejects petition, blocks American ships from leaving their ports Sends Hessians, hired German soldiers, to fight in America Washington trains colonial army, approves plan to invade Quebec

The British Retreat From Boston Continental Army surrounds British forces in Boston Americans threaten to bombard Boston, British troops withdraw

Common Sense is Published Thomas Paine writes Common Sense Ridicules the idea that kings rule by the will of God Argues that all monarchies are corrupt Disagrees with the economic arguments for remaining with Britain Common Sense is a huge success, strengthens the call for independence

A Time of Decision In May 1776, Continental Congress adopts resolution Authorizes each of the 13 colonies to establish its own government In June 1776, Richard Henry Lee introduces a resolution Calls for colonies to break with Britain Committee chooses Thomas Jefferson to write Declaration of Independence

The Declaration is Adopted July 4, 1776, Continental Congress adopts Declaration of Independence Proclaims the independence of the colonies Claims that people have rights that government cannot take away If government disregards these rights, it loses its right to govern People can abolish a government that disregards their rights People can form a new government that will protect their rights