Problems in the Colonies

Review: Where did they settle & create colonies? Spain? France? England?

The baby colony… As we go through the causes of the American Revolution, it should be noted that Georgia is a “baby” colony. It’s the youngest, smallest, and poorest of the 13 colonies. At the time of the revolution, Georgia had only been established for 44 years. In contrast, Virginia was established for 169 years.

What do these maps represent? The French & Indian War What do these maps represent?

The French & Indian War How did the boundaries of the British territory change? How did Georgia’s boundaries change?

French Land Before the War The French & Indian War What? When? Conflict between Great Britain and France over territory in North America. 1754-1763. Part of a larger war around the world called the Seven Years War. French Land Before the War   Mostly wilderness, shared with natives. Used to trap beavers for fur trade Spark of Conflict British started trading with natives in the Ohio River Valley. Constant conflict over territory.

The French & Indian War Treaty of Paris 1763; France gave up most territory from Canada to Mississippi. Spain gives up Florida  Effects on Colonies Great Britain taxed colonists to pay for the war, even though they had no representation in Parliament. Stamp Act: tax on legal documents, stamps, newspapers, and licenses  Proclamation of 1763: colonists cannot settle west of the Appalachian Mountains.   Georgia Far from the fight, but borders expanded to the Mississippi River

The French & Indian War Proclamation of 1763: King George decided that colonist could not settle west of the Appalachian Mts. That land would be reserved for Native Americans to prevent conflict.

Stamp Act Wars cost money, and now the British government is in debt. Parliament (GB’s legislature) wanted the colonists to help pay for the war. For the first time, colonists were being directly taxed without colonial “representation” in the British Parliament. This led to protests throughout the colonies

Causes of the American Revolution Proclamation Of 1763 F&I War Stamp Act Set off a chain of events that eventually led to the American Revolution Caused Great Britain to tax colonists to pay for the war Cause Great Britain to issue the Proclamation of 1763 to avoid further conflict with natives Prevented colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. Colonists were upset because they helped fight for this land and now cannot settle there Great Britain taxed colonists without representation in parliament

Declaration of Independence a formal statement or announcement Independence: state of being free and independent Declaration of Independence: three-part document that discusses natural rights, explains the wrongs committed by King George, and offers an official declaration of independence from England.

Declaration of Independence Sections Content Preamble Introduction; discuss basic human rights Grievances Complaints; colonists write a list of complaints against King George III Declaration Colonists are going to sever (cut) ties with Great Britain

Declaration of Independence Adopted by the Continental Congress (a group of delegates from the 13 colonies that acted as a government body during the American Revolution) in 1776. Founding fathers like Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams put their lives at risk by signing this document. By signing the declaration, they were committing treason against the king.

Georgia’s Three Signers Button Gwinnett Lyman Hall George Walton Why do you think the signatures of the Georgia signers seem so isolated from the rest?

Georgia’s Three Signers “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” Why do you think the signatures of the Georgia signers seem so isolated from the rest?

Articles of Confederation Strengths Declare war Coin money Sign treaties Set up post offices Settle conflicts between states Weaknesses No strong national government No leader Needed permission to raise an army Could not collect taxes Couldn’t enforce laws Each state had one vote in legislature Could not make laws about trade

Why Georgia supported a change… Georgia needed a STRONG national government to help protect it from AMERICAN INDIAN attacks

Great Compromise

Articles of Confederation Comparing Documents   Articles of Confederation U.S. Constitution Legislative Branch Congress (unicameral)  Congress, separated into the Senate and House of Representatives (bicameral) Executive Branch NONE!  President, VP, Cabinet Judicial Branch NONE! Supreme Court  Amending ALL states must approve Three-fourths of states must approve Currency  Each state had its own currency Single currency for the nation