Road to Revolution

Vocabulary Constitution: a written plan of government House of Burgesses: assembly in Virginia that passed laws and raised money for taxes Militia: group of volunteers who fight in case of an emergency Representative government: government where people elect representatives to make laws and conduct government (House of Burgesses is an example)

House of Burgesses The English kings who ruled the 13 original colonies reserved the right to decide the fate of their colonies as well, but not alone. The colonists drew upon their claims to traditional English rights and insisted on raising their own representative assemblies. Such was the case with the Virginia House of Burgesses, the first popularly elected legislature in the New World.

House of Burgesses Modeled after the English Parliament, the House of Burgesses was established in 1619. Members would meet at least once a year with their royal governor to decide local laws and determine local taxation. There have been hundreds of members of Virginia's House of Burgesses. The most famous are: Peyton Randolph, William Byrd, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Pendleton, and Patrick Henry. But starting with the Virginia House of Burgesses, Americans had 157 years to practice democracy. By the time of the Declaration of Independence, they were quite good at it.

House of burgesses

Road to War Decisions of the Continental Congress Drafted statement of grievances to repeal all the laws passed by Britain since 1763. Voted to boycott all British goods and trade. Called the colonists to arm themselves against the British. Formed militias.

The First battles The colonists figured the first fighting would start in New England, because it has been the center of protests. Militia groups called “minutemen” began training, so they could be ready at a minute’s notice. The British increase the numbers of troops stationed in the colonies with orders to disarm colonists.

Famous Pictures Surrender at Saratoga Washington and his army cross the Delaware River at night to attack the Hessian mercenaries at Trenton. Surrender at Saratoga

American Strengths The colonists are fighting for independence George Washington can inspire his men to fight France will aide the colonies with weapons, supplies and their navy

American Weaknesses The colonists are not a trained army Colonists enlist for months instead of years Short on money, weapons and supplies to fight a war

British Strengths The British have an experienced professional army Outnumber the Continental Army The British army is well supplied with equipment and weapons

British weaknesses The British are not fighting for a cause British officers are careless and poor leaders The British have a to cross the Atlantic Ocean to send men and supplies for the war The support at home is rather weak

Treaty of Paris 1783 THE WAR ENDS WITH THESE CONDITIONS “free, sovereign and independent states” British must remove all troops from forts Boundary for United States is the Mississippi Loyalist would have rights and property protected captured slaves must be returned to owners