The American Revolution

Vocabulary Stamp Act: A tax on the colonists on all printed materials. (newspapers, letters, documents) Boston Tea Party: Colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor to protest the tea tax. Boston Massacre: “skirmish” between British soldiers and colonist that left 5 colonist dead. Intolerable Acts: Laws by the British to punish the colonists for their behavior. Common Sense: pamphlet written by Thomas Paine to persuade people to support the revolution.

Patriot: Someone who supports the revolution. Loyalist: A colonist who supports the British. (a.k.a. “lobster back”) Declaration of Independence: 1776 document that stated Britain’s North American colonies had become free and independent from them. Treaty of Paris: 1783 treaty between Britain and the colonies which ended the American Revolution.

The American Revolution Background: For almost a century before the American Revolution, Britain had been preoccupied with a war against France. Because of this Britain governed the colonies under a policy of salutary neglect –a healthy ignorance of the colonies. Therefore the colonies had time to practice self-government. Colonists dealt with local matters.

The Treaty of Paris 1763, marked the end to what was to be called the French and Indian War. With France defeated, colonists felt free to move west. Although Britain enacted the Proclamation of 1763 which prohibited movement into lands gained from France.

Causes of the American Revolution Economic Causes: After the war Britain was left with a large debt. British govt. felt the colonists should pay for their own defense. Mercantilism – colonies exist to provide raw materials and markets for the economic benefit of the mother country.

Economic Causes (cont) New taxes were resented by the colonists. Sugar Act –Taxed foreign imports. Stamp Act – Required a tax on printed material. After the colonists asked Parliament for their repeal they passed the Townshend Act which taxed all imported goods. Colonists were insulted.

Political Causes: The new taxes would prevent the colonists to hold any power over officials from Britain in the colonies. Reacted with Protests, boycotts, petitions and violence. Colonists charged Britain with denying them representation in Parliament & they cant tax them without it. “No taxation without representation”

Social Causes: Colonists held a firm belief in natural rights and began to identify themselves more with the colonies than with Britain. The colonies were made up of people from other countries other than Britain. The Great Awakening – a religious movement which encouraged people to question authority and have a sense of equality.

Sons of Liberty A secret organization of American colonists who supported revolution. Organized huge demonstrations & intimidated stamp distributors. Hung effigies of British officials and stamp agents. Referred to as “sons of violence” by the British.

Boston Massacre 3/5/1770

Boston Tea Party 12/16/1773

The Intolerable (Coercive) Acts 1. Boston Port Act Closed the port of Boston until lost tea was paid for. Massachusetts Govt. Act Banned Town meetings Administration of Justice Act Any trial of a British officer was to be transferred to Britain. Quartering Act Required local officials to lodge British troops in private homes in necessary.

Declaration of Independence 2nd Continental Congress: In 1776, representatives presented a resolution calling for independence from Great Britain. Appointed a committee, including Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin & John Adams, to draft a formal declaration. The result, most entirely Jefferson's work, was adopted on July 4th 1776 as an official Declaration of Independence that would influence the country for hundreds of years to come.

Ideas of the Declaration Our goals for our nation. Colonists, including Jefferson, looked to John Locke (Enlightenment) for inspiration. Thomas Paine’s writing, Common Sense, tried to persuade people to support the war for independence. Our Declaration of Independence would inspire other revolutions in France and Latin Amer.

Purpose of the Declaration of Independence To announce to the world that the colonies were now a new independent nation. To explain & justify the reasons that the united colonies had decided to become the United States of America.

3 Parts of the Declaration 1. A theory of government – an idea of what our new government should be like and aspire to. 2. A list of grievances against the king – Why are the colonists so upset with the “tyrant king”. 3. A formal resolution declaring independence – asking other nations to recognize the United States of America as a sovereign nation.

Key Ideas of Government: People have natural rights. (Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness) Governments receive their power to govern “from the consent of the governed” by social contract were the govt. agrees to protect the peoples rights.(Enlightenment) If a govt. fails to protect those rights, it is the “Right to the People to alter or to abolish” that government.

1. What do each part of the snake represent? 2. What is the clear message of the cartoon? 3. Who do you think drew this cartoon & why?

Fighting for Independence The War for Independence lasted from 1775 (first blood shed) to the British surrender at Yorktown, VA in 1781. A peace treaty (Treaty of Paris) was negotiated by John Adams, John Jay, & Ben Franklin. Throughout the Amer. Rev. the 2nd Continental congress served as the national government. The British were larger in numbers, better trained, better equipped & aided by Native Americans.

Continued… The continental army (colonists’) was the achievement of George Washington. The colonists were aided by France who had a long lasting rivalry with Britain. The American victory at Saratoga was a turning point because it brought the French into the war, seeing it was possible for a colonial victory.

Slavery & the Revolution Many African-Americans fought on both sides. More though fought for the British because they were promised their freedom. After hesitating, Washington decided to allow African-Americans to join state militias. During the war many slaves in the South were able to escape. Some freed for their military service or moved into Northern cities.

Effects of the Revolution Britain recognizes the United States as an independent nation. Ideals of revolution influenced events in other parts of the world. Ideas of freedom & natural rights inspire people to oppose slavery and explore rights for women. Native Americans were pushed further into the West.