The Political Foundation: Evolution and Revolution “Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”---Benjamin Franklin
The Roots of American Independence The English Civil War & the Glorious Revolution Enlightenment ideals & the Great Awakening Colonial expansion: population, migration, the consumer revolution, & colonial government The French & Indian (Seven Years) War & Pontiac’s War
Mid-18th c. Colonial Trade
Allies & Enemies: the French the Indians the British the Americans
The British Imperial Crisis: The End of “salutary neglect”
The American-British Conflict The essential issue of sovereignty New taxes for government revenues Indian trade to Quebec & protection of Catholics New restrictive trade regulations Increased customs duties
Admiralty courts, navy inspections & writs of assistance (search warrants) British army in colonial cities Prohibition of colonial paper money Favoritism in the tea trade Parliamentary supremacy Suppression of Massachusetts & American trade
The American Response The Stamp Act & the Sons of Liberty Forms of protest & opposition The Continental Congresses Common Sense The Declaration of Independence
The American Revolution, 1775-1782
The creation of a new country’s government State constitutions “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.”---Thomas Paine The creation of a new country’s government State constitutions Republicanism Natural rights Limited government
Western Land Claims by the States
The Articles of Confederation
Summary 1. 2. 3. 4.