Chapter 2 Section 2 Mr. Gordon

American Independence After the French and Indian War, the colonists rebelled against British attempts to assert control over the colonies and against new British taxes.

American Independence In 1775 the Second Continental Congress called for the writing of a formal Declaration of Independence.

American Independence The road that led the American colonies to unite with one another and break with Great Britain was long and fraught with conflict.

American Independence Early Attempts at Unity 1643: New England Confederation formed to defend against threats from Native Americans and Dutch colonies

American Independence Early Attempts at Unity 1854-1763: French and Indian War spurred new drive toward unity in the colonies

American Independence 1754: Great Britain urged signing of treaty with Iroquois Confederation

American Independence Ben Franklin proposed Albany Plan of Union to control trade, raise armies, build settlements, equip fleets

American Independence Growing Tensions Mid-1700s: colonists used to handling affairs without interference from British 1760: King George III began to tighten control over colonies

American Independence Growing Tensions Most colonists viewed selves as loyal subjects of British Crown

American Independence Growing Tensions Parliament began to think colonies had become too independent Following French and Indian War, Parliament placed new financial burdens on colonists

American Independence Changes in British Policies British victorious in French and Indian War, but incurred massive debts Parliament looked to colonies to offset cost of war, defense of colonies

American Independence Changes in British Policies Enforced trade restrictions benefiting Britain, including series of taxes Colonists resented being taxed without their consent.

American Independence The Stamp Act Congress 1765: Stamp Act: Parliament’s first attempt to tax colonists directly Required tax stamp on paper goods such as legal documents and newspapers

American Independence The Stamp Act Congress Angry colonists responded with protests; in 1765, delegates from 9 colonies sent strong protest to king declaring power to tax should remain with colonial assemblies.

American Independence Colonial Protests 1766: Stamp Act repealed; colonies protested, organized resistance; Boston Massacre

American Independence Colonial Protests 1773: Boston Tea Party protested American tea trade given to one British company.

American Independence Colonial Protests 1774: New harsh laws, Intolerable Acts, ended all forms of self-rule in Massachusetts.

American Independence Compromise Most colonists held out hope for compromise to roll back taxes. Virginia and Massachusetts assemblies called for meeting of colonies in Philadelphia.

American Independence First Continental Congress 1774: First Continental Congress passed Declaration and Resolves demanding repeal of Intolerable Acts.

American Independence First Continental Congress 1775: British rejected demands; British troops clashed with colonial militia at Lexington and Concord—the first armed resistance by colonists.

American Independence Second Continental Congress 1775: Second Continental Congress organized Continental Army, named George Washington as commander Revolutionary War began as colonists sought independence from Britain

American Independence Common Sense of Democracy 1776: The Common Sense pamphlet argued case for break with England. Thomas Paine: independence was the only “common sense” for colonists Saw history of world hanging on outcome of colonies’ rebellion

American Independence Declaration of Independence Armed conflict continued for months before independence officially declared June 7, 1776: resolution proposed to Second Continental Congress to officially declare independence from Great Britain; resolution passed July 2

American Independence Declaration of Independence Committee appointed to write formal statement justifying resolution Thomas Jefferson wrote most of document, drawing on Virginia Declaration of Rights adopted by Virginia House of Burgesses one month earlier

American Independence Declaration of Independence Virginia declaration declared “all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights” that cannot be denied. Echoed philosophy of John Locke that people have rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”

American Independence Declaration of Independence Also echoed idea of government as social contract based on consent of the people July 4, 1776: Declaration of Independence was adopted. Britain’s thirteen colonies ceased to exist as new nation emerged.

American Independence By 1780, each of the 13 newly independent states had adopted its own written constitution. Each tested ideas about how to design a republican government that protected individual rights.

American Independence Self-Government All new state constitutions established republican governments with strong legislatures with elected representatives. Voting rights varied from state to state.

American Independence Self-Government Voting rights varied from state to state. Some states granted the right to vote to adult male taxpayers, others had property qualifications; only New Jersey allowed women to vote. (revoked in 1807)

American Independence Separation of Powers Three branches of government: legislative, executive, judicial States had real power to govern.

American Independence Separation of Powers Powers included conducting foreign affairs, declaring war Most legislatures had two houses. Some elected governors and judges.

American Independence Limited Government Strong legislative bodies reflected general mistrust of monarchy. Colonists did not grant unlimited power to legislatures.

American Independence Limited Government Annual elections, term limits, separation of powers established as checks Kept powers of governors deliberately weak, limited term

American Independence Individual Rights Protecting people’s rights seen as way to protect from excesses of government 1780: Massachusetts constitution included bill of rights to protect individual liberties. Liberties included trial by jury, freedom of assembly, and speech.