The Coming of Independence Chapter 2 Section 2

“We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately Ben Franklin - July 4, 1776 What does this mean?

Britain’s Colonial Policies Colonies were under British control, but being far away the colonists were used to SELF-GOVERNMENT. By mid-1700s the relationship btwn Britain and Colonies was FEDERAL. The central government (London) was responsible for colonial defense and for foreign affairs. Colonies were granted a good deal of self-rule. Little was taken in taxes; Few regulations by Parliament. LIFE WAS GOOD… But this soon changed… 

Change in Colonial Policies 1760 – George III becomes King  Britain began to be more firm with colonies. Restrictive trading acts were expanded and enforced. New taxes imposed that supported British troops in NA. Many colonists opposed being taxed from afar. “taxation without representation” French & Indian War (1754-63) was over and colonists did not feel troops were necessary. Within a few years, the colonists faced a choice: Submit or Revolt

Colonial Unity In order to revolt, the colonies needed to work together. Early Attempts 1643 –New England Confederation formed to defend against Native American tribes. Confederation = Joining of several groups for a common purpose. Dissolved in 1684. The Albany Plan The Stamp Act Congress On next two slides...

The Albany Plan - 1754 Meeting to discuss the problems of colonial trade and attacks by the French and their Native American Allies. Benjamin Franklin offered the Albany Plan of Union. Franklin proposed the creation of an annual congress of delegates (representatives) from each of the colonies. Would have the power to: Raise Military and Naval Forces Make War and Peace w/ Native Americans Regulate trade w/ them Collect Taxes on Imports This plan was ahead of its time and accepted by the representatives at the meeting.… but turned down by the colonies and the crown

The Stamp Act Congress 1765 – Parliament passed the Stamp Act which required the colonists to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. Ship's papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, other publications, and even playing cards were taxed… In October of 1765 the Stamp Act Congress met. Prepared a protest, the Declaration of Rights and Grievances, and sent it to the King. Parliament repealed (cancelled) the Stamp Act. Frictions still mounted.

Further Unrest New laws were passed that tried to tie the colonies to London. Boston Massacre  March 5, 1770, British troops fire on a crowd killing five. Committees of Correspondence Organized resistance groups started by Samuel Adams in 1772. The Boston Tea Party December 16, 1773 Group of men, disguised as Native Americas, boarded three tea ships in the Boston Harbor. They broke open the chests and dumped the ships cargo into the sea to protest British control of the tea trade.

First Continental Congress Intolerable Acts (1774) Parliament passed more laws to punish the colonists for the troubles in Boston. Colonies send delegates to meet in Philadelphia. Samuel Adams and John Adams (MA) John Dickinson and Joseph Galloway (PA) John Jay and Philip Livingston (NY) George Washington, Richard Henry Lee, and Patrick Henry (VA) John Rutledge (SC) First Continental Congress met for nearly two months debating what action to take. Sent a Declaration of Rights to King George III. Protested Britain’s colonial policies.

Second Continental Congress Britain reacts to Declaration of Rights with harsher measures. April 19, 1775 The “shot heard round the world” Lexington and Concord Second Continental Congress meets on May 10, 1775. All 13 colonies sent delegates. New members included: Ben Franklin (PA) and John Hancock (MA) Hancock was chosen President of the Congress. Created a continental army  George Washington named commander in chief. Thomas Jefferson took Washington’s place in the VA delegation. REVOLUTION!

Our 1st National Gov’t The Second Continental Congress became our first national government. Remained for 5 years, from the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 until the Articles of Confederation went into effect in 1781. Fought a war, raised armies and navy, borrowed funds, bought supplies, created a money system, made treaties…

Declaration of Independence Congress named a committee of five to prepare a proclamation of independence. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776. Groundbreaking: First political system founded on people ruling instead of being ruled. People “created equal”. People endowed w/ “Certain Inalienable Rights” Founded on the concept “The consent of the governed” to exercise power. The 13 colonies became free and independent.

First State Constitutions NH was the first colony to adopt a constitution – 1776. By 1777 most of the States adopted constitutions. Common Features: Popular sovereignty a gov’t that exists only w/ the consent of the governed. Limited Gov’t New state gov’t could only exercise powers granted tot hem by the people through the constitution. Civil Rights and Liberties People have rights that gov’t should protect. Separation of Powers Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches of state gov’t Check and Balances Each branch give powers w/ which to check, or restrain the actions of, the other branches.