The Road to Revolution: (1770-1776)

Was the American Revolution Inevitable??

Period of Salutary Neglect From the start, England ignored her colonies in North America The colonists learned to exist on their own, creating local government and providing a vehicle for law and order Colonists trades with whom and where they wanted

French and Indian War 1756-1763 Also known as the 7 Years War Also took place in India England won the war, but was bankrupt Needed to raise taxes to replenish its money Passed a series of taxes on all of its citizens Enforced the mercantile laws Proclamation of 1763

Tar and Feathering

The Boston Massacre (March 5,1770)

Committees of Correspondence Purpose  warn neighboring colonies about incidents with Br.  broaden the resistance movement.

Tea Act (1773) British East India Co.: Monopoly on Br. tea imports. Permitted the Co. to sell tea directly to cols. without col. middlemen (cheaper tea!) North expected the cols. to eagerly choose the cheaper tea.

Boston Tea Party (1773)

The Coercive or Intolerable Acts (1774) 1. Port Bill 2. New Quartering Act Lord North

First Continental Congress (1774) 55 delegates from 12 colonies Agenda  How to respond to the Coercive Acts? 1 vote per colony represented. Called for colonies to train troops Banned all trade with England

The British Are Coming . . . Britain tightened control over the colonies with the addition of more troops. Paul Revere makes his midnight ride to warn the Minutemen of approaching British soldiers.

The Shot Heard ’Round the World! Lexington & Concord – April 18,1775

The Second Continental Congress (1775) Olive Branch Petition

Thomas Paine: Common Sense

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Independence Hall